Since I teach every other week in your child's class, I will post a new two week series at the start of that series.
Kindergarten & First Grade
We have started using the Howard B Wigglebottom series again from wedolisten.org. We are starting with Howard Learns to Listen, and will cover four more books before the year is out.
Second Grade & Third Grade
We are doing lesson #6 from the Taxi Dog Series, www.taxidog.edu. The students really enjoy seeing the character come to life as well as practicing their own emotions with the puppets. This week we are identifying a number of key feelings that students often have - anger, worry, happiness, pride & surprise - and modeling them with their puppets for a partner. You can see the taxi dogs at work at Maestra Magee's facebook page, click through the photos.
Fourth & Fifth Grade
Things are a bit discombobulated for these grades right now due to SBAC testing. If I am able to get into your child' class we will do fixed vs growth mindset work to help them keep a positive attitude during test taking season.
SBAC Tips
If your child is taking the SBAC please try to do the following:Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfastMany teachers report that students who don't do well on tests haven't gotten enough sleep, and haven't eaten breakfast on the morning of the test. Doing both of these things will ensure that your child is working at full capacity (Narang, 2008).
Make sure your child is preparedSome schools may supply the tools your child needs for the test, such as pencils, an eraser, paper, and a calculator. Others may require the students to bring those materials themselves. Check with your child's teacher to see if you need to provide your child with any of these materials. Also, check to see whether you child will be able to make up the test if she is sick on test day (Narang, 2008).
Remain positiveStaying calm will help your child stay calm. If she gets nervous about the test or is likely to experience anxiety during the test, help her practice some relaxation techniques that she can try once she's taking the test (Narang, 2008).
Kindergarten & First Grade
We have started using the Howard B Wigglebottom series again from wedolisten.org. We are starting with Howard Learns to Listen, and will cover four more books before the year is out.
Second Grade & Third Grade
We are doing lesson #6 from the Taxi Dog Series, www.taxidog.edu. The students really enjoy seeing the character come to life as well as practicing their own emotions with the puppets. This week we are identifying a number of key feelings that students often have - anger, worry, happiness, pride & surprise - and modeling them with their puppets for a partner. You can see the taxi dogs at work at Maestra Magee's facebook page, click through the photos.
Fourth & Fifth Grade
Things are a bit discombobulated for these grades right now due to SBAC testing. If I am able to get into your child' class we will do fixed vs growth mindset work to help them keep a positive attitude during test taking season.
SBAC Tips
If your child is taking the SBAC please try to do the following:Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a healthy breakfastMany teachers report that students who don't do well on tests haven't gotten enough sleep, and haven't eaten breakfast on the morning of the test. Doing both of these things will ensure that your child is working at full capacity (Narang, 2008).
Make sure your child is preparedSome schools may supply the tools your child needs for the test, such as pencils, an eraser, paper, and a calculator. Others may require the students to bring those materials themselves. Check with your child's teacher to see if you need to provide your child with any of these materials. Also, check to see whether you child will be able to make up the test if she is sick on test day (Narang, 2008).
Remain positiveStaying calm will help your child stay calm. If she gets nervous about the test or is likely to experience anxiety during the test, help her practice some relaxation techniques that she can try once she's taking the test (Narang, 2008).