Can you believe we are in the last nine weeks of the 2011-2012 school year? Where did the year go?! I guess time flies when you're having fun!

And....fun is what we have been having in large group guidance!  From Random Acts of Kindness Week activities to listening games galore, students are learning that kindness and hard work reaps eternal rewards. We are focusing on behavior and its impact on others as we finish up guidance lessons for the school year. Several fun activities will engage your children and inspire them to be examples in both their behavior and attitudes.

Pre-Kindergartners through second graders are learning the importance of good manners. Pre-Kindergarten and kindergartners are practicing manners and learning to recognize the difference between good manners and bad manners, while first and second graders are delving a little deeper as they learn about using specific manners. From table manners to writing thank you notes, we are focusing on proper etiquette in a variety of situations. Students are even learning about manners by  studying others who do not use their nicest behavior. Funny stories such as Perfect Pigs, An Introduction to Manners, by Marc Brown and Tacky the Penguin, by Helen Lester help students do just that!! There are some great interactive websites and iPod Apps will entertain students as we study manners. One site, http://www.fekids.com/img/kln/flash/DontGrossOutTheWorld.swf, even teaches children more about table manners around the world! For fun, have your children check out http://disney.go.com/disneyjunior/can-you-teach-my-alligator-manners on the web for more activities regarding manners.

Third through fifth graders are focusing on responsible behavior. From looking at our school responsibilities to the personal responsibility we have for how we treat one another - responsibility is all about choices! Third and fourth graders are learning about sportsmanship - using kind words and thoughtful attitudes on and off the field. We are focusing on being positive examples for others. For more information on teaching your child sportsmanship, check out http://life.familyeducation.com/sports/parenting/36484.html. Fifth graders are learning to make responsible choices by considering the consequences. A responsible person tries to consider what might happen before making a choice. Students are learning the importance of thinking before acting - at school and with friends. For a fun way to learn more about this concept, have your child check out http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/games/index.html. It's a PBS site for adolescents with interactive games that teach the concept of considering choices and thinking before acting. Check out Rumor Patrol and You're In Charge - students LOVE these!

Random Acts of Kindness

Did you know that it's Random Acts of Kindness Week? Random Acts of Kindness Week is celebrated during the second full week in February each year. Its purpose is to raise awareness about kindness and to invite people to give and receive kindness daily.  
We have been talking a lot about kindness in the lower school - ways to show kindness, to speak kindness, and ideas of how to spread kindness. Students have been an active part of celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week so read below to find out more about what we've done! 
Pre K and first grade students shared encouraging statements about their peers. With an activity using a ball of yarn, students were able to see how one act of kindness can spark another act of kindness, which can eventually grow into several acts to make the world a kinder place. Kindergarten students created a surprise video message for their fifth grade buddies who are involved in off-campus learning at Space Camp. To view the video (and bring an instant smile to your face), click on the following link: http://www.schooltube.com/video/c3d389acf009462b9e6e/Kindergarten%20Buddies%20Send%20Message%20to%205th%20Grade.    
Second and third grade students created drawings and made cards for patients at the Montgomery Cancer Center and the elderly at John Knox Manor. The cards contained Bible Verses, prayers, and a chocolate Hershey's "Hugs" or "Kiss" so patients know that Trinity students are sending a little something "sweet" their way. Below is a picture of a few third graders with their cards:

Fourth grade students wrote letters to fifth grade Space Campers with messages of encouragement for a safe and fun-filled trip. The fifth graders have been busy reminding elementary students about Random Acts of Kindness week through the daily Morning Message. To view the message, click on the following link: http://www.schooltube.com/channel/kasiparsons/. 
Hope this has brightened your day and sparked your creativity of how you and your children can show kindness to others. If you need a little inspiration, click on the following link from the Random Acts of Kindness website to browse ideas for showing kindness to others: http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/Kindness-Ideas/Browse/. Happy Random Acts of Kindness Week! 
    

Can you believe it's 2012?! We started off the New Year with excitement as we took a virtual "trip" to Spain last Friday, January 6. The culture study will provide students a unique opportunity to learn more about Spanish culture and the people of Spain.  However (as I reminded the students); even  boys and girls in Spain need to listen and study if they want to learn.  Sooooo...in large group guidance, that is just what we are doing.

Pre K through 5th graders are working hard to utilize various study skills in order to become better students. Students in Pre K, kindergarten, and first grade are using their eyes, ears, and brains to become better listeners and they're doing this in a variety of ways.  Using listening apps on the iPad, Pre K students and kindergartners are engaging in hands on learning activities to practice listening, thinking, and following directions.  

In first and second grade, students are learning to follow oral instructions.  With fun books such as The Worst Day of My Life Ever: My story about listening and following instructions (...or not!), by Julia Cook, and engaging activities and games like "Mrs. Satcher Says" students are improving their listening habits. 

In third and fourth grade students are working on their responsibilities as students to listen carefully, keep up with their work (without a parent reminder), organize their materials, and use their time wisely. Students have had fun working in groups comparing and contrasting their responsibilities, but they have also enjoyed using the smartboard to reinforce what we have discussed in class.  This third grader is using the smartboard to analyze information:

Fifth graders are continuing their study of learning styles and how it affects them as learners in and out of the classroom. The New Year is a good time for students to evaluate their current study habits and make positive changes to their routine.  They are in the process of doing that now as they take a close look at their homework environment and create "Homework Portraits". Hopefully, parents will see  positive (and proacive) changes in their children's study habits and routine!!