Happy Spring!
I am so hoping for April showers and May flowers versus more snow/ice! While the whole school year is busy, these last two months are generally hopping for us! We have one last music concert, Spring Break, ISASP testing, field trips, and other end of year activities. Our snow/cold/ice days have teachers already juggling their pacing for the 4th quarter and that will continue as we move forward to ensure we get all of our content in.
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to parent/teacher conferences. We are still hoping to catch up with the rest of you who were not able to attend as the district expectation is 100% for this event. Student report cards should be in your child's backpacks this evening (Thursday).
Please remember that we will be outside unless it is raining/storming. Students are expected to wear their coats with any weather under 60 degrees so please keep that in mind as well.
This month during our Character Strong time, grade levels are learning about Courage. The various grade levels will be focusing on the following:
Kindergarten--students will follow directions as they learn new ways to use Courage to try new things; they will practice skills to handle distractions while following directions; they will practice using Courage to ask for help from others; they will show Courage by practicing the three steps to include others.
1st grade--students will learn to apply focusing strategies by Going on a Bear Hunt; they will choose between different situations that require Courage and explain their responses; they will set a Courage goal to try something new and share it with a partner; they will create a class art piece that demonstrates everything they have learned about Courage and focusing.
2nd grade--students will use visualization skills to create a Gallery of Courage that shows each student engaging in something Courageous; will engage in a small group challenge by sharing their ideas and encouraging others; will evaluate their overall classroom engagement, then work together to create fun reminders to improve engagement; will engage in Courage Charades through acting out and identifying different acts of Courage.
3rd grade--students will develop flexible thinking skills to help us demonstrate Courage to do what is right, even when it's hard; they will explore how Courage and Flexible Thinking skills can be used when they experience change; they will use Courage and Flexible Thinking when stepping outside of their comfort zone in social connections; they will set Courageous character TOP goals and make a plan for flexible thinking.
4th grade--students will identify how Courage is used to reach their Character goals by creating and executing a plan; they will organize their time to create space to grow relationships with others; they will use Courage by planning a schedule that reflects their values; they will create a rubric for organizing their things, then put their skills into practice.
5th grade--students will reflect on their level of Courage or comfort in a variety of situations that require character; they will explore strategies for practicing Courage to stand up for others; they will use the TOP Goal model for building out their character goals; they will grow in Courage by setting goals around trying new things.
Thank you for partnering with us in your child's education.
Dr. Holcomb
