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“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”
— Karl Menninger
We are artists, needle workers, re-creators, scientists, musicians, mathematicians, and movie makers! We are listeners, talkers, sharers of ideas, and learners! We are thinking about how different perspectives can be viewed like kaleidoscopes. As friendship and trust blooms, we have seen students begin to listen and learn from one another. Together as a classroom community and as individuals, students are listening to one another. We are discussing things like: what name we like to be called and which ones we don’t, what we want our movie audience to do (listen, clap, not talk, etc). These are conversations that are helping us form ideas on what our class environment should be like — setting the foundation for our Bill of Rights.
As a group we gathered for reflection meetings; here students shared their ideas, as well as listen to each other. Gardeners have also found their own ways to connect with one another during deep learning time. During these key moments we see Gardeners build their confidence and friendships:
Student B: “Oh, yeah! That’s a great idea, Friend!”
Student C: “Ugghh, I need help”
Student D: “I can help you. I’m pretty good at using the paint brush”
Student C: “Yeah, thanks”
Student E: “Hey how did you do that?”
Student F: “See I just put the tube on the rope and hooked it together like this (unties his rope and shows how he put it together), than you can carry it like this (puts it over his shoulder).”
Student B: “Awesome!”
We are putting an emphasis on Flexible (Divergent) Thinking. Some examples of how this came to life this week:
The Snail house!
Movie Production & Exhibition Plan: Taking on different roles, Collaborating
Supporting one another in times of disconnect: “we are your friends and we can help you”
Working with new and different partners in counting collections
Teacher/Student conferences are on the horizon. This will be an opportunity for one on one time with teachers as well as focusing on conferencing and inter-personal skills. Stay tuned for more information!
Next Week:
Ask your student about: “keep your hands inside the ride at all times” (student created phrase for ‘checking in’)Encourage Students to collect items for Counting Collections. This week’s Resource includes research, philosophy and collection ideas.Personal Goals:
- Listening during Reflection/Share Time
- Be impeccable with your word
- Don’t take anything personally
- Don’t make assumptions
- Always do your best
Encouraging Flexible thinking at home: When reading stories at home, discuss what it is like to be each character. Or, do some role reversals and let your child play who they want to be.Upcoming Cognitive Focus: Illustration Study; it covers a wide array of techniques and standards in reading and writing and will support our current movie making unit. Click here for more information…SEE YOU AT the Park on Monday and please sunscreen before you arrive!
Our first FIELD TRIP is coming up. Please scroll down for details.
Happy Autumnal Equinox!
If you have any questions, please reach us as follows:
CLASSROOM/CURRICULUM/PARK DAY – Michelle Goldbach-Johnson
CLASSROOM – Yvette Fenton
CURRICULUM – Lena Garcia Kaufman
PARENT TEACHERS – MJ Garcia
ADMINISTRATIVE – Trish Valdez |
