All About Our Classroom...

Here are a few of the programs that will take place in our classroom 
this year.

I will be introducing and using "Thinking Maps".  It is a program 
that teaches students to use eight visual patterns or maps to 
organize their thinking.  The Thinking Maps can be used cross 
curriculum and at any developmental stage.  The program consists of 
8 visual tools that the students may use to organize, plan, study etc. 
The students were exposed in Kindergarten to Thinking Maps and we 
will use them throughout the year. For more information on Thinking
Maps please visit the Thinking Maps page. 

TEAMWORK BEADS
Responsibility is a character trait that develops over time.  It is 
important to help children to realize that they are not only 
individuals but also members of many groups - friends, the class, 
their families, the community.
For any group to "work", each member has a responsibility to 
cooperate with other members to achieve a common goal.  The class 
has daily opportunities to "earn" beads.  For example: as the class 
walks to and from their special, the can earn two beads.  When the 
class has earned all the beads, they have earned a reward.  I am open for
creative and exciting suggestions this year! 

Be an All-Star/Keep Smiling
Independent responsibility is just as important as working as a team. The idea
is to "Keep Smiling" for the day be being responsible and dependable for our
own behavior. Each student is assigned a library pocket with 5 different
colored cards. During the course of the day the student's may flip a card.
Each time their card is flipped there is a different consequence.   
1st Flip - Warning
2nd Flip - 5 minutes off recess
3rd Flip - 10 minutes off of recess & note home
4th Flip - 15 minutes off of recess & a phone call home
5th Flip - Student is sent to Principal/Consequence TBD

TREASURE BOX
The treasure box includes: stickers, free ice cream from the 
cafeteria at lunch, toys, homework passes, pencils, candy and lots 
more!!

CHARACTER EDUCATION
Our class will be discussing six blocks of character education: 
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and 
citizenship.
This fall, we will integrating some activities to help the students 
to begin to think critically and become successful students within a 
positive classroom environment. 

TEACHER TREATS
These are special treats that are earned and well-deserved!