Something Special

I LOVE TRIBES FRIDAYS. Today we talked about Wishes, Being Special and Cooperation. Some of the wishes were very touching (one wished that my house would sell) and others were cool (wishing to be an animal or live in Florida forever). For our being special activity I asked each student to think of something that makes them special. We had a lot of fun responses. One child however claimed that nothing makes them special and without a second passing one girl shot up her hand and said, "You are my neighbour and no one else can say that" Another a few minutes later said, I have another one for him, he is a really good hockey player" The boy who was once looking very discouraged beamed with a huge smile after that compliment. There is something about kindness being put out without solicitation that really makes for a great day!

I also got to read to a student today that is not very often inclined to do so and it was so fantastic. He even told me about the book after and told others, it was awesome.

Happy Friday

Mr.G

If today was any indication

We are going to have a fantastic week. Today was brilliant, actually let me correct myself, the students were brilliant. In math we tried a little activity to see where we were all at in addition and more specifically mental math. So many different ways to solve the problem were presented all individually unique and all correct. I had a room of 20 mathamagicians all working towards a common goal and all sharing their strategies and ideas with each other. It was a great tool to see where we needed to go next and they loved it.

In Social Studies we had a great conversation about Free the Children and Doctors without Borders. It was amazing seeing the kids talk and think among their group shocked that there are people in the world who would require these groups to improve their quality of life. We are looking at raising money for the Philippines and this was a great way to spark their desire to help. One student even told me they are donating money instead of getting tons of presents this year because they have enough stuff already. Great way to start the week. Hope yours was just as good.

Mr.G

That feeling like you are sick but not actually sick

That is the response one student gave when I asked how it felt when they saw or heard a student in our class using putdowns rather than lifting each other with statements of appreciations. We discussed how putdowns break down our confidence far faster than appreciations build us and that we need to be always helping to build each other up to make the best community possible. I have an amazing group of students that are really becoming invested in the success of our little community. We shared our fears this Friday while a little puppy walked around the room trying to help one small boy with his fears. It was a huge success and so was our circle. So many fears shared from one to the next, big dogs, bullies, being alone, the dark. All things we have in common. Working to support and build each other is only one piece in the puzzle of building relationships. After our circle ended we decided we needed to show each other what we see that is good in them. Appreciations are so much harder to recognize and voice. I am not sure why that is but it is something developed in adults because these kids with there 11x17 capes taped to their backs were forming human chains of appreciations some 6 kids long writing wonderful things on each others papers. One boy who never shares and is often alone was moving towards his desk and I was worried that he would not be included. As that thought entered my mind another student shouted asking where he was and immediately ran over and started to write you are awesome on his back. In that moment I saw joy, like a light actually flipped on he grabbed his marker and joined in. By the end all the students had lists or things that others thought about them. Being cool, kind, awesome, having great hair or glasses. In that moment the bullying and putdowns were gone all that remained in that circle was positive energy and friendships. I hope to continue with this little experiment and move it beyond my classroom in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.

Have a great week!

-Mr.G

Indoor recess a blessing or a curse

It depends on who you ask. I have never been one to play out in the cold but unfortunately many of the students think they are invincible. Yesterday it was minus 30 with the wind and they still asked to go outside. The answer was no but we did have a dance party. Most of us had a great time. Today we shall dance again. Maybe things will start to warm up.

-Mr.G

Laughing until we cry Learning about ourselves

Friday was such a great day. After a less than stellar day on Thursday with a few students getting into a shoving match and another using putdowns we decided we needed a solid morning or positive interaction.  We talked about putdowns and how they make us feel, how to put down the put-downs and then spent a great chunk of time laughing until we cried playing Fork and Spoon.

Most of the time I think teachers are worried that they are not covering the material fast enough. More time for "classroom" work is needed. I agree that the classroom stuff is very important. I think even more than that though we need to take the time to build friendships, create relationships and make for a better community in the classroom. Once that is established and thriving we can focus on learning more than putting out the fires caused by fighting, teasing, poor sportsmanship and all those other silly draining things.

This week we have student led conferences and report cards. We are going to continue working on time, writing, testing and discussing Quality of Life in Social Studies. We are also going to form new friendships, build stronger the ones we already enjoy and find kids in need and be that person for them. It is going to be a very exciting week!

Stay tuned!

-Mr.G

Rehearsals... a challenge for all

Such a weird week, post Halloween and pre Remembrance day there is a ton going on at the school and still doing a lot of work in the classroom. This week we have talked time and really started to understand the concept. At the start of the week blinking was taking hours and now we know that is called sleeping...  :)

Today we had rehearsals for the Remembrance Day program. First let me say the work that the music teacher and Remembrance Day committee put in to make such a great program is incredible. The gym looks great and the kids musical performances are awesome.

That being said asking 8 and 9 year olds to sit quietly to "practice" for an hour can be a challenge. In our class we have a student who faces some challenges that make just sitting and listening very difficult and they were an absolute star. So was the student that sat beside them and chatted with them through the entire presentation. Answering his questions and just being a friend. I asked this student to watch out for the other as there is a part where they have to move to another door and exit the gym. In the ensuing madness of the exit I was very worried that someone was going to get confused, frustrated or scared with all the people moving and pushing him along. I am a big guy and it was hard for me to not be lost in the shuffle. As panic set in worried about my student I looked up to see a few of my boys and one in particular making a wall to make sure that his friend was not lost, squished or left behind.

I have wondered at what point people start to worry more about themselves than others and I can say today more than ever that I am so grateful for the moments I get to experience and the lessons that I learn from the most fantastic little people that I get to work with. Thanks you parents, thank you students. This is the best job in the world.

Mr.G

Time and other concepts

We have started working on Time in Math and relating activities to the amount of time you might measure them in. It is definitely a work in progress with some feeling like it would be normal to sleep for months at a time and a year of staying in a motel but we did determine that you would not measure running around the track in years. Unless of course it was me and then we might look at hours... haha.

Talking about using our senses to assist in writing what do you think is the first thing kids think of when discussing what we might encounter on a farm?...You got it, manure! Funny to see things through the eyes of 8 year olds.

We had a rather interesting start to a discussion on the rights of children and it is going to be very fun to debate which they think is most important in determining their quality of  life.

Best moment of the day was when one of the kids who is very afraid of all animals conquered his fear just a little and pet Gizmo the class Gecko. Woohoo for small victories!

Mr.G

Did you know Glitter can also be referred to as rain?

First day back after Halloween and we had a great day. Finished the reading assessments, talked time and did some fantastic artwork for the Remembrance Day ceremony. One student and I worked together and as we were doing a great job he decided to take it up a notch we needed to add the always controversial (for custodial staff) GLITTER. So I broke out the glitter and the results were amazing. At one point while we were getting ready for recess he turned to me and said, "Can I cover your head in glitter?" My response was a record fast of course not and as he turned away he said, "Oh, It is going to happen."

We ended the day with friendship keepers which is such a fantastic way to end a day. Many students shared statements of appreciation for things their classmates had done for them. One student thanked another for being the funniest person they knew. Another was thanked for working quietly today. Another was thanked for the awesome tire swing pusher they were. Perfect end to a fun day.

Cheers

Mr.G