Students in Room 204 are starting to get the hang of our rules and routines. I’m constantly quoting from the report card, which the kids are getting used to. “Follows classroom rules and routines”. “Respects the rights and property of others”. “Demonstrates a cooperative attitude with peers and adults”. “Uses self-control”. “Sustains attention to tasks”. “Works well independently”. There are LOTS of important skills and behaviors to maintain in third grade!
I have been telling students that the more on-target they are with their social skills and work habits, the more fun we can have, and the more they will learn!
I put their maturity to the test last week with a cooperative learning challenge called “Save Fred”. Pairs of students had to work together to save a “worm” from his capsized boat by putting a small life preserver on him. They were only allowed to use 4 paper clips to touch Fred, his boat and his life preserver. I admitted to all of the students that I was a little worried to try such an unstructured, experimental task this early in the year. I asked if they were up for the challenge; to which they calmly replied “yes”. Nicely played, little ones.
Check out these photos, where you’re able to see just how hard they worked, and how creative they had to be to solve their dilemma! I look forward to more problem-solving experiments this year, where students have to rely on each other (rather than me!) to come up with and test out their ideas.
From time to time, remind your student that patience with themselves, each other and the learning process is essential to growth. Perseverance matters.
Effort Effects Everything.
Hmmmm….. I like alliteration as much as the next girl, but is it:
Effort Affects Everything? Me thinks yes.
🙂 My printer is uncooperative. The homework menu usually has instructions to remind students to choose one box per Homework Menu night – and have a grown-up sign off on it. I’m working on fixing my printer problems. Thanks for your patience!!
🙂 Our new dismissal cards are now in effect. Also, be sure to let me know tomorrow if there is a change in your child’s dismissal for the half day. Dismissal comes quickly, and I don’t want any friends worried about where to go. Thanks for your support!!
Hi Mrs.Brooks, I thought that the Save Fred idea was AWSOME!!! And I had a really fun time working with Mykala. I hope we can do something like that again sometime. I wonder what it’s going to be next.
Hi Madeline!
Save Fred was wicked fun, and everyone did a great job of working together. I wasn’t sure how the problem would be solved, so it was fun to watch you all figure it out. I’ll have other challenges for us to complete this year – just always remember to think creatively and you’ll figure out a way to make them work out!
See you soon!
Love,
Mrs. Brooks