Grade 2 Lesson-Conflict Resolution
The week of April 23rd, I shared a lesson on conflict resolution with the combined grade 2 classes. Our lesson objective was to create solutions to problems that are acceptable to both parties involved.
During the lesson we read and discussed the book The Owl and the Woodpecker by Brian Wildsmith. Unfortunately the book is not available in the Lower School Library but it is available online.
Ideas for further discussion:
Have your child share with you their personal experience of problem solving in the classroom, at recess and after school activities this year. What was the problem? How were they able to compromise and find a solution. Celebrate their growth this school year.
Grade 3 Lesson-Individuality
The week of March 26th, I had the opportunity to present a lesson on Individuality to 3A and 3B. Our lesson objectives were to identify positive our individual character strengths, interests and abilities and explain with detailed examples on why it's best to be yourself.
During the lesson we read and discussed the book Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathmann (available in the Lower School library.
Afterwards, we completed an activity where students identified their individual character strengths, interests and abilities. Students were able to trade with another classmate to add positive traits as well as interests and abilities they noticed. Some students were quite surprised at the positive comments classmates had for them. The chart is located in their individual writing journals in the classroom as a work in progress.
Ideas for further discussion:
- Try the same exercise with your child....writing what the positive character traits, abilities and interests you think they have and perhaps have your child share their ideas about you.
- Discuss how different character traits/strengths and abilities help us get along.
Grade 1 and 4-Cooperation-Test Your Teamwork Skills
Our learning objectives for this lesson included using cooperation and problem solving skills as a team to complete a task along with practicing sharing ideas and taking turns.
We began our lesson with discussing how working together in groups within the classroom has changed since the start of the school year. I shared the story titled Fleabags with each class. Click here for the story. We discussed what actions from the story were successful and the others that were not so successful. Each class was able to share many of the necessary qualities needed for a team to be effective.
After the story, the desk groups tested their teamwork ability by unscrambling a word puzzle creating an important word for any great team. The word for 4A was responsibility and 4B was cooperation.
For grade 1, we used the story, the Ant and the Grasshopper by Amy Lowry Poole (available in the Lower School Library).
After the story, the table groups also tested their teamwork ability by unscrambling a word puzzle creating an important word for any great team. The words for 1A and 1B were teamwork or workmate.
Ideas for further discussion:
- Have a discussion about your responsibilities as a parent and/or at the work place. Find out your child's thoughts on your responsibilities. You can also share your thoughts about your child's responsibilities.
- Have your child share with you their personal experience of working together in the classroom, at recess and after school activities.
Grade 5-Cooperation-Appreciating our Exhibition Group Members
I had an opportunity to visit 5A and 5B during the week of March 26. The message for grade 5 during this preparation time for the exhibition is the value of appreciating the positive qualities and contributions of each member of their exhibition group.
We began our lesson with discussing why students are working together in groups instead of presenting an individual project. Each class also shared the strengths and challenges in working together as a group. I shared the story titled Team Work can Work Wonders about a group of pigeons that needed teamwork to escape from danger. We discussed what actions from the story were successful and the others that would have caused the pigeons to not survive. Each class was able to share many of the necessary qualities needed for a team to be effective from the story and personal experience.
After the story, each student were given a sheet of five bubbles to list all the positive qualities of each member of their exhibition group including themselves. I modeled the activity by sharing the qualities I've noticed about Mr. Calic, Mr. Moran and Mrs. Mello from working together in groups on my bubble sheet.
Some students had difficulty listing positive qualities for themselves but each student were willing to give the exercise a good effort. Each student is keeping their bubble sheets in their exhibition folders. Ask your child about their group today :-)
Ideas for further discussion:
- Have a discussion about your responsibilities as a parent and/or at the work place. Find out your child's thoughts on your responsibilities. You can also share your thoughts about your child's responsibilities especially related to the exhibition.
- Have your child share with you their personal experience of working together in the classroom, at recess and after school activities. They can express the challenges they may be facing and solutions learned.
January-February 2012
During the month of January to early February I had a chance to present a guidance lesson on the topic of bullying for grades 1-5. Each classroom visit, we identified types of bullying, the seriousness of bullying and how we as a school can confront and stop the act bullying when it arises.
In Grade 1, we used the book, The Recess Queen, to illustrate how to stand up to bullying and how being a risk-taker can help change someone who is bullying and keep others safe. The Recess Queen is available in the ISB Library. In Grade 2, we read the book, Nobody Knew What to Do, where we discussed the positive outcomes of taking a risk by reporting bullying when it happens to classmates and the problem of not reporting. Nobody Knew What to Do is available in the Counseling Library at the Lower School.
After the February break and throughout March, I will revisit grades 1-5 to share a lesson on cooperation with the learner profile monthly assembly themes of being inquirers (Feb) and thinkers (Mar).
Wanna Have Lunch? (Ongoing)
Lunch sign-ups continue to be fun and relaxing for students. It's a great opportunity for us to get to know each other, share, learn and even problem solve over lunch. Although the upper grades were targeted in the beginning of the school year, all students are welcome to sign up. Each week I post a lunch sign up schedule outside my door. I encourage your child to sign up for lunch with me today :-)
