This is the time of year that simple things captivate...

This week we move on to our next C...Captivating.  I amazed that even at my old age of 36, I am still captivated by the same Christmas specials that I grew up watching so many years ago.  And I still get sentimental when I hear certain songs on the radio and when I hang our ornaments on the tree.  These simple items captivate me because they are of interest to me because it is relevant to my life.  Each year I purchase a new ornament for the girls and our family as a keepsake of a memory or special place we visited that year.  I still have an ornament my mother got me for my first Christmas in 1978 and even though I knew nothing about Christmas at that time, hanging it up on my tree reminds me of the love my mom had for me even when I was at my worst (ask her how bad I was as an infant...I see where Charlotte got it from).

Why can't we make our lessons more captivating to our students?  I always hear "We ain't got time for that!" but I totally disagree.  If we don't captivate them we end up taking time to manage behavior.  Which would you rather take the time to do?  I went to a workshop years and years ago for kindergarten teachers and the presenter suggested having a souvenir for each concept students learn throughout the year...kinda like when you go on vacation you bring something back.  I implemented this my last year teaching kindergarten and it was a success.  This culminating activity helped captivate the students and even helped them recall earlier learning experiences when they couldn't quickly pull it out to implement later.

What will you do this week to captivate our young learners?

I hope you have an amazing week and make sure you wear your stretchy pants 'cause it looks like we're eating all week.

Angela

PS: Merry Christmas from me...may you all wear jeans each day this week as long as you look neat!

Week of December 15-19, 2014

Monday, December 15

• Monday Morning Meeting
• Must sign up to attend Christmas Party by this date

Tuesday, December 16

• Hill at Chamber Mtg 12-1:15
• 3rd Grade and 4th Grade PLC
• 3rd Grade RtA Scoring during last enhancement
• All permission slips for THS field trip must be in by today
• Survey regarding technology lab due today (homeroom teachers)
• Christmas Program at 6:30; all certified staff are required to attend and help out.
• Goody Day: 4th grade, cafeteria, Blue, Gay

Wednesday, December 17

• THS Field Trip 8:15-11:00
• 5th Grade PLC
• Coaching Collaborative Mtg (Lemon, Baker, Hill, and Backus) at 12:30
• Goody Day: 3rd grade, Greider, Felice, Smith, LeQuire

Thursday, December 18

• Holiday Dance 3:30-5:00
• Goody Day: 5th grade, Baker-Speaks, Hunt, Beasley

Friday, December 19

• Gingerbread Open House/ lunch in classrooms (will send revised lunch times later this week)
• Goody Day: Tutor, T. Lee, Hill, Backus, C. Hayden, Carolyn Parker, Riley
• Deadline to submit any PD paperwork