Authenticity Superpower

As part of Steward School’s “Life is Good” movement, we have continued to explore and incorporate “Superpowers” into our daily lives at school.  Last month, our main focus was the superpower of Gratitude.  The children continue to reinforce and express their knowledge of this superpower and enjoy discussing and making connections to things in their life that make them feel a sense of gratitude. 

In January, a new “Life is Good Superpower” has been introduced!

MEET THE SUPERPOWER OF…

Discovering and embracing your authentic, genuine and real self is what we are striving for this month! The first graders have done an incredible job discussing and brainstorming why it is important to be an authentic person. Some responses were…

* Why would anyone want to be like anyone else?

* You should always be yourself!

* Being different makes us special!

* Being YOU makes you happy.

* Being you makes you honest.

We came to the conclusion that being an authentic person makes you unique, special and happy. The more that friends find the authenticity within themselves, the better friends we can be.

FOLLOW YOUR INNER COMPASS

Throughout our discussions, the connection we made to a compass was very helpful for us and made us think even more deeply about the parts of us that make us happy to be our true selves. Just like a compass helps to provide direction to travelers, our INNER compass provides us with direction and guidance to follow our OWN paths in life.

As a whole first grade community, each student created his or her very own Inner Compass.  

DIGITAL READ ALOUDS THAT TEACH AUTHENTICITY 

Click Here to Listen!

Click Here to Listen!

Click Here to Listen!

Click Here to Listen!

Throughout this month, ask your first grader what makes him or her an authentic person and how to continue to be an authentic person inside and outside of school! 

 LIFE IS GOOD!

Mrs. Hancock

Better Late Than Never?

 

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Goodbye Miss G.

We are all missing Miss G. !  She is a natural with children and a very talented teacher.  Miss G. really appreciated being remembered at Christmas as well as the collection of books you all gave her. Thank you so much for your generosity.  She was overwhelmed by your kindness. 😊 

Mrs. Hancock

Gratitude

Growth Mindset and The Dot by Peter Reynolds

Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference.

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. They’re wrong.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.

We learned about Growth Mindset as we read the book:

The Dot by Peter Reynolds

The Dot is a beautiful story about a girl named Vashti who is encouraged by her teacher to take a risk.  Vashti does not believe she can draw.  She is filled with self-doubt until her teacher gently persuades her to, “just make a mark and see where it takes you.” This inspirational story shows how one reluctant learner gains self-esteem with just one dot.  

Following the story I asked the children to make a picture, design, pattern or whatever they wanted to create with dot stickers.

Next the children water painted over the dot stickers:

This video helped us understand the Power of YET!
When I hear a student say "I can't..."  I have taught them to end the statement with YET!

While their masterpieces were drying, the children completed the following worksheet about Growth Mindset.  They needed to write about 3 things that they can do, and one thing they can't do...YET!

We discussed how the little girl in the story, Vashti didn't think she could draw.  However, she was encouraged to start small, with just one mark on the paper and she became an amazing artist!

Next the children excitedly removed the dot stickers from their papers revealing beautiful paintings!

Here are some of the finished projects:

Interested in starting a conversation about Growth Mindset with your child? 

The following children's books all relate to the concept:

Mrs. Hancock