Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

It's been a long time since you've heard from me via this blog.  Usually, I would apologize profusely, but we really have been working so hard in class.  Because it has been so long, we have a lot to share about our learning!

One of the ways I have learned and grown as a teacher is through reading a book called Mindset for Learning by Kristi Mraz and Christine Hertz.  This book delves deeper into the growth mindset introduced by Carol Dweck in the book, Mindset, as it relates to the elementary classroom.  The authors identify five mindsets for learning (in no particular order):

• Persistence - Having persistence means you try and try again even when it feels hard.
• Flexibility - When one thing doesn't work, you try a different way.
• Optimism - When you do something new, you think, "I can try," and give it your best shot because that's how you grow.
• Resilience - When you have trouble, you bounce back and try again.
• Empathy - You have empathy when you feel someone's feelings in your own heart.  

In class, we have been studying these mindsets and trying to find them and celebrate them everyday in our work.  Each day, we share a "story time" where I (or one of the students) tell a story and the class identifies the mindset(s) for learning that the character displayed.  Stories come from things that happen in school that we experience, or from books, and even inspirational video clips.  It has transformed how we handle situations of challenge and difficulty, and helped us begin observing our own self-talk.  Story time has become a beloved ritual of our class.

Another new ritual we are beginning is a "gratitude circle" to close our our day.  Each day, we will gather in a circle and go around sharing one specific thing for which we are grateful.  If you haven't yet had an opportunity to read the research on the importance of gratitude in our lives, this is a great place to read: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/expandinggratitude  We are looking forward to this positive way to end our days together.

Another change is that we are now studying astronomy in the science lab.  You might have seen the first I-Check go home last week.  The students are to hang on to these to help them study in addition to the study guide that we will do in class as the unit winds down.  We just began our second I-Check today.  Mrs. Hwande and I will keep you updated of the assessment, which will happen after the winter break.

In literacy, we have been working diligently on writing and reading non-fiction.  It has broadened our interests and book selection for independent reading.  Students have become experts on different aspects of American colonial history through the process of writing history research reports, which we have just begun to type and format.

And speaking of literacy...we are having a pajama read-in next Friday in lieu of our holiday party.  The class is so excited!  Yesterday, while in the library, students were grabbing multiple books with the intention of reading them for our celebration.  It was darling!  Because we are going to be having a read-in, it's quite different from our Halloween party.  Hot chocolate will be served in the morning, but we won't be needing the usual parent volunteers beyond that since the students will be enjoying their hot chocolate and books.  I will be sure to take pictures and post them!

We do invite you to join us tomorrow for our school holiday sing at 2, however!  The chorus and younger grades will be leading the school in song.  It is a festive and fun celebration of the season!

To close, I leave you with an image of happiness from our classroom:

What more do you need in life: a good book, a cup of tea, and a snuggly hedgehog in a pouch.