February 27 Test Taking Tips

Well, we need to talk about hte upcoming state testing . . . :(  Ways to make kids realize the importance of demonstrating all the wonderful things they know and are able to do . . .
Here are 10 tips http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/teststress/article10.html

Advisory - February 16

Today we  read Hey Little Ant.  What do you think the boy should do?   Also check out http://teachingreaderstothink.blogspot.com/ for more book ideas.
In 1992, Phillip Hoose and his daughter Hannah, then nine, wrote a musical conversation between an ant about to get flattened and the child about to squish it. It ended with the question, "What do you think that kid should do?" Their popular recording of the song "Hey Little Ant" led to the story's publication as a children's picture book in 1998, which has become a runaway success. Now the ant and the child – and their shared dilemma – are known by parents, children and educators throughout the world.

Our interests displayed - February 8

We are working on our individual drawings of our interests, decorating "mock" t - shirts.  They will all be displayed on clotheslines throughout the building.  Here is the beginning - it is amazing that we found clothespins to add to our displays.  Now only 500 more to hang! My group even asked if we could create real t-shirts with the drawings, now that's a thought . . .

New Year's Resolutions - January 10

We are meeting today with our group to talk about New Year's Resolutions.  Goal setting is so hard with kids, especially early teens.  I thought this video was funny! I wonder what the kids will think!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV3MUpN8vA0

A Resolution Is:

a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something;

the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc;

the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

This description suggests three actions. These include:
-naming what you are going to do or change,
-deciding how you are going to make this change, and
-developing a mental state of being determined to achieve this goal.

Mean Stinks

Came across this site - http://www.secret.com/WHATSNEW/?tag=/Mean-Stinks, we have been using some of the daily ideas, such as "what would you do Wednesday? and the "share a smile" ideas.  Check out the website and "friend" on Facebook to get daily ideas, videos and more . . .

https://www.facebook.com/#!/meanstinks   

https://www.facebook.com/#!/meanstinks?sk=videos

Advisory December 23

We are meeting today for a final time before the holiday break.  The kids decided to decorate cookies and set their New Year's Resolutions.  Here are some ideas for New Year's Resolutions for kids.  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/new-years-day/printables/  

Here are some ideas for setting healthy eating resolutions as well.http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/parenting/tips-for-setting-new-years-resolutions-for-kids-and-family/

Happy New Year! 

12/5 Learning Styles

Today we talked about our "learning styles"  It is amazing to me how much kids really know about themselves but are often reluctant to share with adults.  We really need to work with them to encourage self advocacy - certainly a skill needed as an adult.  Look to these resources to help identify learning styles - http://www.businessballs.com/howardgardnermultipleintelligences.htm   
http://www.kidzmet.com/pages/multiple-intelligences?gclid=CKDx6c-A5qwCFcbd4AodcE9RNw

• Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")
• Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
• Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
• Musical intelligence ("music smart")
• Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
• Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
• Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

For self advocacy information,  while most resources deal with assisting students with disabilities, there is useful information for all students and families - http://www.ldonline.org/article/7757/  A good article from the Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) http://www.amle.org/portals/0/pdf/publications/On_Target/advisory/advisory_3.pdf