Today we: followed our usual morning routine - phonics, word work, and then Literacy Block. As we do on every Friday, we made new groups for Literacy Block, chose new clean-up chores for the end of day, and our helpers for the next week will be Layla and Haily.
Literacy block has changed slightly - instead of doing word work from our usual daily program, students are given word ladders to practice their spelling and defining new words.
In P.E., students played a competitive game of bowling with hockey sticks! Mr. Newton was extra creative and had the students practice their hockey shooting, but instead of into nets, he had bowling pins they were supposed to knock over. Some students acted as a goalie by guarding the bowling pins and the students came back fanning themselves from the heat they worked up!
After snack, we read a book called One. This was a book about colors being similar to feelings, and how the color red can be very aggressive. We had a talk about pushing buttons and trying to be more powerful by being aggressive, and this is the way bullies can act. It just takes One person to stand up to a bully, and that we are stronger in numbers.
The book created a great discussion, and students really had a lot of connections. We did a quick writing exercise where everyone wrote their feelings or a memory or a picture. This was intended to be a mental health strategy, not for marks, so some students were given permission to tear their paper and throw it out as a cathartic way to release their feelings. At this age, they are only just beginning their journey into conflicts, managing emotions, learning to manage their behaviors - the best we can do is provide the tools to do so. This exercise was the most engaged I have seen them all week!
Since they earned 10 minecraft points, we ended the day with the computers. I hosted a world so they could interact together. Some chose to go onto Prodigy math games instead, and others worked on their interest projects.
Reminder - parent teacher conference slots are now open for booking. Conferences are Thursday, March 10 from 4:30-8pm, and Friday, March 11, from 9:00am-1pm. If you would like to discuss your child's report card, or just have a chance to meet and talk with me, please book one 15-minute time slot.
Have a great weekend everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment