From Mean Stinks - "like" on Facebook

What Would You Do Wednesday: 

Your friend teases a boy in your class and you see how much it hurts his feelings. You’re afraid to confront her because she might get mad at you. What do you do?

Advisory, April 2, Bullying discussion . . .

Recently we purchased folders for all of our students that describe "bullying" behaviors and cyberbullying. 
You can preview these athttp://www.progresspublications.com/view/Products/Folders/Stock+Unimprinted+Folders/Bully+Education+Folder+SU-7 
We had a great discussion and students shared some compelling thoughts about this topic.

March 14, testing, testing, testing . . .

We started our state assessments today.  The students were great!  We had snacks and water for all and teachers kept academics to fun connected content things.  hang in there . . . 5 more days to go!

Some links . . .
http://edinformatics.com/testing/testing.htm

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_system_of_school_assessment_%28pssa%29/8757

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.