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!!
