Thanksgiving Week

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, we will only have 2 days this week of school.  On Monday, the students will finish out their study of Habit #6: Synergize by learning how to create an "action plan" to make synergy happen.  This action plan will allow the students to apply their knowledge to any situation in order to convert a problem (or opportunity) into a synergistic result.  I just love it when that happens!  We will then end our brief week with a creative writing assignment, providing the students with a fun opportunity to use their imagination to create their very own story about an "ugh" situation (similar to seeing a little bug in a peach you are about to bite into!)

Have a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday and enjoy the time off with your families!

Week of November 17

We concluded our study of "Superstitions" early this week and moved on to our next story, "Gaston."  Gaston is a small bug who lived inside of a peach and who became the object of attention for a girl and her father who were trying to find something in common to discuss.  The 6-year-0ld girl, who lives in New York, was visiting her father who lives in Paris.  The little bug becomes a fascination for the two as they struggle to find common ground on which to reconnect.  After reading the story, the students were able to understand how their own perceptions of the story could be vastly different from their fellow students' perceptions.  To defend their positions, the students continued to practice formulating arguments using evidence from the story to support their arguments.  The back and forth banter amongst the students always seems to keep their attention focused and provide entertainment at the same time!

Week of November 10

In preparation for our new story this week, "Superstitions," the students viewed a video clip on epilepsy and we discussed what it means to have this disease.  "Superstitions" is a story about two siblings, one of which has epilepsy.  The story delves into the mind of the sibling without epilepsy and how she responds to her brother who has this disease.  We will follow the usual format this week of listening to the story and then re-reading it while taking directed notes.  Due to the Veteran's Day holiday, we will be unable to go much farther into the story this week and we will pick up with it again next week for further discussion and inquiry.  

On Friday, the students will learn about the 6th habit:  Synergize.  Be sure to ask your child next weekend what he/she can do at home to help synergize your family!

Week of November 3

The students reflected this week on the details of the story, Chura and Marwe.  After listening to the story and then reading it again for more detail, the students pondered on a pivotal point in the story and depicted this point in a drawing.  We discussed interpretive questions in our shared inquiry time as well.  On Thursday, we spent the entire day really focusing on what it takes to create an accurate written response.  Each student wrote and re-wrote responses to questions about the story, focusing on correct use of grammar, writing in complete sentences, and specifically answering the question asked.  

Finally, on Friday the students demonstrated their understanding of Habit #5 (Seek first to understand, then to be understood) by performing mostly skits and rap songs.  Overall, they appeared to really enjoy this opportunity to get in front of the class and perform for each other.  My goal for the students with this exercise was not only to have them learn the material in a new way but also to allow them the opportunity to work on their presentation skills.