Walk-A-Thon 2016

Many thanks for your support of the Playground Committee's 2016 School Walk-A-Thon!

We had a beautiful day! The children got lots of exercise while supporting a great cause!

Mrs. Hancock

Pajama Day Fun

As I explained via email, we have been using Mr. Potato Head as a whole group behavior incentive.  When I catch the class walking very quietly down the hall or focusing on their class work or otherwise behaving appropriately as a whole, I allow a student to add a Potato Head body part.  Once Mr. Potato Head is completely together, we have a celebration.  The children voted to have a pajama party.  They looked so cozy and comfortable!

Check out our full day of FUN!

Reading with our stuffed animals...

Dancing in our pajamas...

Writing with our stuffed animals...

Our stuffed animals hung out while we ate snack.  They were very well behaved!

Playing cards

Snuggling...

Listening to a bedtime story...

The children are very motivated to earn another special day.  This time they are earning cubes in a jar.  Hopefully before too long we will be able to celebrate again!

Mrs. Hancock

Fun With Third Grade Buddies!

The children were VERY excited to meet their third grade buddies. Mrs. Surprise and I plan to meet once monthly to participate in fun learning activities together.  Mrs. Surprise's class invited us to read Halloween books together and complete a word search.

View on Flipagram

Our Class Mascot

Pete the Cat is the main character in Eric Litwin's popular books.  We have been reading several of his books as this author sends an important message to children.  Pete has a very positive attitude and is very flexible when his buttons pop off his shirt, shoes become dirty, etc.  He helps us to learn not to sweat the small things that happen throughout the day at school.

The children were asked to write about how they were going to be more like Pete the Cat at school.  Here are a couple samples of their work:

When a child demonstrates flexibility in the classroom, our Pete the Cat stuffed animal spends some time on his/her table.

Click the image below to enjoy one of our favorite Pete the Cat books:

For more Pete the Cat Fun click on the image below:

Mrs. Hancock

Life is Good!

Spreading the Power of Optimism

Life is not perfect.  Life is not easy.  Life is good.

This year we are exploring the themes presented in the book, Life is Good, written by Bert and John Jacobs. The Jacobs brothers write, "Each one of us has a choice:  to focus our energy on obstacles or opportunities.  To fixate on our problems, or focus on solutions.  We can harp on what's wrong with the world, or we can cultivate what's right with the world." 

The Life is Good community shares one simple, unifying mission:  to spread the power of optimism. Optimism empowers us to explore the world with open arms and an eye toward solutions, progress, and growth.  It also makes life a lot more fun!

Optimism enables us to access the ten most important tools we have for living a happy and fulfilling life.  The Jacobs call them the Life is Good Superpowers.  These Superpowers can help one overcome obstacles, drive forward with greater purpose, and enjoy the ride of life."

                                  

Superpower #1 Openness.

Openness is a conscious effort to step outside of your comfort zone to experience new things.   

How does one become more open?

Follow the Leader-  The next time you sit down with your child, imagine your child is your teacher.  Let her tell you about the drawing or the toy, or where the story goes next.  Let her show you her view of the world, in her own words.  Follow her lead.  Be willing to be silly, and let go of trying to direct.  You ask the "Whys?" and discover the world as she directs the kid in you.

"Yes, And."-  Try using this phrase wherever you work or meet in groups.  Invite people to share their wildest ideas up front and encourage the group to take each one for a spin, accepting and building on it.  The filtering and editing down can happen later, but this first crucial step creates an open environment of collaboration that sparks innovation. 

Everything is a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience- Get out and see the world!  We're not necessarily talking adventure travel or long road trips.  If you don't go, you don't see can also apply to your neighbor's home, a live show, a place you've been meaning to volunteer at, or the contemporary art exhibit you're not quite sure is for you.  Changing up your routine and physical surroundings will help open your mind to fresh perspectives.

In the month of October we will continue to foster Openness while introducing the Superpower of Creativity!