This has been a week of working on our research, projects, reading and writing. This week we had extra art time to work on our state projects, we practiced for the state testing so we’d feel comfortable with the tools of the online testing and the types of questions. (It’s a bit overwhelming.) We also had a challenge with Mr. Caron where we worked on teamwork, cooperation and spelling. It has been quite a full week.

State Research and the Float Project

Nearly all of the students have completed their float blueprints and have received their building permits. After listening to a few comments in and around the classroom this week, please help, but please don’t do the work for the children. Yes some of them need help organizing their ideas so they are doable. Yes, most of them will need help finalizing their float – whether a sandwich board or pulled float – so it will travel the whole distance of the parade. But, please let your child’s design and artistic talent show through in his or her float. Thank you.

Most of the children feel they have done enough research on at least three of their state wonders so they will be able to write about a page on each. Our goal is to have the research completed by next Friday so we have two to three weeks for the writing. It seems like plenty of time on the calendar, but those are also our SBAC testing weeks so they children won’t have nearly the time they think. We’ll carry on and do our best with both.

SEL – Habits for Success

Throughout this year we’ve been talking about “habits for success” and choices we can make that will allow us to grow our capabilities. This week we’ve been reading both fiction and nonfiction books to see what lessons they might have for us as learners. We know that success can come by looking at a situation from a different and more positive perspective. (It Could Always be Worse) We learned that sometimes it’s important to take action if things are going as expected. It’s important to keep trying even if it takes a long time. (Beekle the Unimaginary Friend) It’s important to dream and when people tell you it’s not possible to keep using your imagination until you dream it real. (Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mystery of the Cosmos) Sometimes it’s important to challenge a rule that does not seem right in order to inspire change, but you have do to it carefully if you want it to work. (Game Changer: John Mclendon and the Secret Game)

In and around these conversations we’ve been talking about the fact that you can only change yourself. If someone it bothering you, you can’t change them, but you can change yourself. You can change how you react. You can wonder why they are bothering you so much. You can change where you are. And you can let them know how they are making you feel with an I-statement. There is a lot of social thinking going on in the classroom and it feels like there are more moments of understanding than complaints.

Bits and Pieces –

• Our broccoli is ready to move out to the greenhouse. We hope it thrives there.
• We completed The Thing About Georgie. Ask your child about the story and what Georgie discovered about himself that we could learn from as well.
• Smarter Balance testing dates for us are: Monday, May 16 for the English Language Arts comprehensive test, Wednesday, May 18 for part one of the English Language Arts performance task and May 19 for part two of the English Language Arts performance task. The following week we’ll be testing Math on Tuesday, May 24 and again on Thursday, May 26.