There is this article that I really believe all educators need to read. You can find it HERE. For all my colleagues that don't get a chance to check it out and want the cliff notes of the article...no worries.
Elena Aguilar wrote about an experiment she tried in her classroom after she read a book called Tribes: A New Way of Learning and Being Together by Jeanne Gibbs.
The book is a guide to building a safe and caring learning community in the classroom. The teacher whole-heartedly adopted this book as a way to manage her room and tried out an activity called Secret Admirer. The basic idea was that each student picked out a peer's name and had to observe that student during the day and would share out something positive that student did that day with the entire of the class at the end of the day.
The students enjoyed it so much that they wanted to do it the next day and the next and the teacher varied what each day looked like to keep it fresh. Some days were challenge days and students had more than one student to keep their eyes on. Other days were "Me too!” days where students also had to identify their own behaviors for which they wanted recognition. The teacher discussed with the students whether they should continue to do these recognitions and they voted a resounding YES!
Why did this work?
Because they focused on strengths, assets, or bright spots. And researchers in all those fields agree that focusing on the positive not only feels good but works when you’re trying to change or want others to change.
The teacher acknowledges that some times it is struggle to get buy in but you continue to press and adjust until the change occurs.
I know some of you are at "wits end" with some students and feel like the entire room needs a makeover. Is there a way that you can adopt this activity to influence your room? What do you have to lose by trying it out?
I hope everyone has had a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow! -Angela
Week of Monday, March 19- Friday, March 23
Don't forget to complete the worker's condition survey!
Monday, March 19
- Grades are due at 8 AM
- Joe out
- EC Talent Code Book Study at 11 AM (EC Staff, please make your drink selection HERE)
- 5th Grade Planning at 12:50
- Admin Meeting 1 PM- 2PM
- Large Group SIT Meeting 3:30-4:30 in Theater
- TCEA Board Meeting at 5:15 in Mrs. Samuelson's Studio
Tuesday, March 20
- Joe PM Only
- Arts Integration
- 8-9: 2nd Grade
- Magan/Poche-Falls
- Cane-Lanham
- Marshall-Strimel
- 9:05-10:05: 5th Grade
- Samuelson-Carr
- Ezzel -Akers
- Fleming-Falls
- 1st Grade to Library 9:45-11
- 3rd Grade Planning at 10:10
- Leadership Team Meeting 12-3; Location TBD
- Last day for K-3 to complete survey on Reading Supplies
Wednesday, March 21
- SST facilitated by Ms. Lanham (please make sure you have all data for students when coming to the meeting); Third and Fifth Grade- We will be rescheduling our meetings this month due to conferences, they will be before spring break. Let me know when you guys can all get together with myself, Ms. Pond, Mr. Falls and Mrs. Honeycutt.
- 8-9: Kindergarten
- 9:05-10:05: 1st Grade
- 10:10-11:10: 2nd Grade
- 12:50-1:50: 4th
- 1:55-2:55: Middle Grades
- 4th grade to Library at 10-11
- Beginning Teacher Meeting at 3:30
- Joe in PM Only
Thursday, March 22
- Report Card Conferences (10 AM- 6 PM): Conference Folder in VIP Folder
- Please remember that you will need to keep a copy of what you discussed with parents and have parent signature on document. I will come around and check these documents on Monday, April 9th. DO NOT PUT IN MY BOX. The only thing that needs to be turned in to me in the conference time sheets and a list of who did not come to conferences by 3.29.18.
Friday, March 23
- Report Card Conferences (7:40 AM- 3:40 PM): Conference Folder in VIP Folder
- Please remember that you will need to keep a copy of what you discussed with parents and have parent signature on document. I will come around and check these documents on Monday, April 9th. DO NOT PUT IN MY BOX. The only thing that needs to be turned in to me in the conference time sheets and a list of who did not come to conferences by 3.29.18.
- Covington and Hill at NCDPI
- Volunteer Breakfast 9 AM-10 AM
- 4th Friday 5:30-7:30 PM
🦎👏 Chameleon Clap🦎👏
From Mrs. Weir:
I would like to thank Mr. Thomas for subbing the class for my birthday gift... thank you!!
From Mrs. Hill:
Congrats to Joe and Melissa on their new baby!! Josie Deane Salisbury was born Friday, March 16th at 3:57 AM. I tried to steal a pic from Facebook but couldn't do it! Joe, email us all a picture!!
Congrats to Mrs. Samuelson for a successful presentation at the NC Collaborative Conference for Student Achievement last week!!!
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