5 more days!

My class has worked hard all year to manage their behavior. It is only a few but some days...Anyway, we have been using tally marks to keep track of times that we do the right thing...get compliments from other staff in the building about how we walk in the hallway, get feedback from specialists about behavior, and maintain appropriate noise level in the classroom. We set goals for ourselves and reward ourselves with earned choice time, a video, extra recess, etc. We have exceeded our goal but needed a "compliment" from the Music Teacher. Normally, I wouldn't bother but our Music teacher is a long term sub who has done some amazing things with the kids and classroom control is still a work in progress. We did not earn a compliment from Mr. Robbins, SO no reward...bummer. Well, you know the old saying, "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade", we did that today.

After playing a game of "dots" to finish up our math grid work, we settled down to learn more about ocean birds. I had already done a little work with puffins and decided to talk about penguins. First we brainstormed all the things we could think of that are black and white...that was my "hook", then we took a blank sheet of paper and wrote penguins on the top and divided it into 2 columns and 4 sections for each column...Physical characteristics, Habitat, Food, and Family. The class is familiar with this after doing ocean research. Then as I read through the fact book they took notes under each section to help them remember. WOW it was so awesome to sit where I sat and see them so focused with a clipboard and pencils listening and writing. I was so impressed with their work...everyone had at least 1 fact in the right place.

So, the lemons--did not get our class reward--the lemonade--awesome lesson and 2 column notes ...5 more days