I have a little bit later start to my blog than I had anticipated but better late than never I think. I've had three Fridays at school so far this school year and it's been a great start. One of my favorite additions to what I've been teaching during guidance is the Kid President youtube.com page and activities. I discovered Kid President over the summer and found him to be thoughtful, bright and very funny; all things I knew the students would enjoy in a guidance activity. I showed a short video of his entitled " Pep Talk to Teachers and Students" and followed it with a discussion and activity in the 3/4, 7th and 8th grades to see how they liked it. I found that the students really liked him as much as I had hoped and both Fridays since have requested we watch more of his videos ( we will a few times throughout the school year). Kid President challenged us to think about "What Can We Teach the World" and it was so much fun to see what the students came up with. One student announced that he went onto the Kid President youtube site and watched all of the Kid President videos after our activity; it always makes me happy to hear the students become so interested in what we're doing.
Another one of my favorite new activities that I started this year was having the Kindergarten color their own "Superhero" belt to tell the class ( and me) more about them, Ms. Colwin said they wore them at the end of the day and were very proud. Over the next few weeks I get to start my favorite teamwork activities in 1st and 5th grades, it's always interesting to see what they learn from themselves and each other during this unit.
I also had the 6th graders write their "Letter to Self" that they turn in to me and receive again as an 8th grader to see how their interests, opinions, etc have changed over a few years. I get to hand back letters this year to our current 8th graders before they graduate in June and can't wait to hear what they have to say about their 6th grade selves.
Next week Friday ( October 25th) the students have off of school while the staff is "in school" so I won't be seeing them until November 1st, which is also All Saints Day. I've updated the Schedule page on my website so you know what we'll be discussing in class on November 1st.
Another one of my favorite new activities that I started this year was having the Kindergarten color their own "Superhero" belt to tell the class ( and me) more about them, Ms. Colwin said they wore them at the end of the day and were very proud. Over the next few weeks I get to start my favorite teamwork activities in 1st and 5th grades, it's always interesting to see what they learn from themselves and each other during this unit.
I also had the 6th graders write their "Letter to Self" that they turn in to me and receive again as an 8th grader to see how their interests, opinions, etc have changed over a few years. I get to hand back letters this year to our current 8th graders before they graduate in June and can't wait to hear what they have to say about their 6th grade selves.
Next week Friday ( October 25th) the students have off of school while the staff is "in school" so I won't be seeing them until November 1st, which is also All Saints Day. I've updated the Schedule page on my website so you know what we'll be discussing in class on November 1st.