Thank you to Shauna O’Flynn for putting together a slideshow capturing the whole event!
In addition, if anyone wants photos, they can access the photos through this google drive folder…
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B_XlSxUD0gZJblJOcFZZTzU2THM&usp=sharing
Girl Sorting Recycling
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22nd. Earth Day is a reminder of the huge job we have of saving our planet 365 days a year!
Watch the video below to learn about “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”and read the suggestions to find other ways you can “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” everyday!
1. Change a light
Replace a regular bulb with a more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulb.
2. Drive less
Walk, bike, use public transportation like a subway, bus or even car pool. Talk to your parents about considering a hybrid, or alternative fuel vehicle. And keep your tires inflated properly.
3. Recycle more
Think before you throw away trash. Recycle instead. Cut down on how much you throw in the trash, which ultimately ends up in a landfill. And be sure to take e-waste, like computers, cell phones and hazardous waste to a special recycling facility.
4. Avoid products with a lot of packaging
When it comes to your shopping habits, consider buying products that are better for the environment or that are made from recycled materials, and have less or no packaging. And when it comes to food, support local farmers markets.
5. Use less hot water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Install a low flowing shower head and wash a full load of clothes in cold or warm water.
6. Adjust your thermostat.
Moving your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer can save a lot of energy. And ask your parents if your local utility company offers alternative power like solar power. If so, consider switching.
7. Plant a tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
8. Turn off electronic devices
Simply turning off your TV, DVD player, stereo, and unplugging your iPod and cell phone charger when not in use, will save you thousands of pounds of CO2 a year.
9. Spread the word
Talk to your friends, family and teachers. Teach them what you’ve learned and make your house and school as green as possible. Think of ways to raise awareness & educate others, create fund-raisers in your local community to make a change.
10. Go Green
Work to make these changes in your daily life so it becomes second nature.
Be flexible! Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Having a positive and hopeful attitude helps us to overcome challenges. When times are difficult or mistakes are made, it is important to stay motivated and be flexible. Being flexible helps us when we need to cope with changes. Flexibility helps us to think about problems in new, creative ways. This is also a great way to connect and understand growth mind-sets and fixed mind-sets. Being flexible is helpful in developing our true potential.
Assembly Read Aloud: But Excuse Me That is My Book by Lauren Child
In this funny “Charlie and Lola” adventure, Lola insists on going to the library to get her favorite book, the same one she has taken out over and over again. What will happen when she discovers that the book she loves is not on the library shelves? Will Lola be flexible and take an different book from the library shelves?
Books:
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G
iraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
Zoom by Istvan Banyai
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
You might have had your hopes up that your mommy packed you a meatball hero with an ice cream sandwich on the side for lunch, but don’t get upset if it turns out to be a PB&J with some carrots. You’ve got to change the plan, and be flexible. Sing along with Ernie as he sings the Change The Plan Song!
Be persistent!
Overview: Persistence is the continuous effort to do or achieve something even when faced with obstacles.
Assembly Read Aloud: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
The girl has a wonderful idea! She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!? But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right.
 A Visitor For Bear by Bonny Becker |
 Leo the Lightening Bug by Eric Drachman |
 Try and Stick With It by Cheri J. Meiners |
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Flight School by Lita Judge
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Long Shot: Never to Small to Dream Big by Paul Chris |
by Mo Willems |
Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
The Very Busy Spider written and illustrated by Eric Carle
I Knew You Could! A Book For All The Stops In Your Life by Craig Dorfman
Below is a fun little animation that illustrates persistence!
Activities:
Jigsaw Puzzles or Games: Students work together in small groups to complete puzzles of various difficulty and/or table-top games.
Be Positive!
Optimism is the ability to remain hopeful and confident about the future or successful outcome of something.
Assembly Read Aloud: Rain Brings Frogs: A Little Book of Hope by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Read Alouds:
 Be Positive! A Book about Optimism by Cheri Meiners |
 Wanda’s Roses by Pat Brisson |
 Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin |
 When Pigs Fly by Valerie Coulman |
 The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraus |
 Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best |
 The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper |
 I Think, I Am by Louise Hay |
Good News Bad News by Jeff Mack
Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems
Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by James Dean
Activities:
Have a discussion on how to respond optimistically in each of the following scenarios:
Additional Resources:
This month we worked with Mrs. Bartell and Mrs. Chaudoir’s students to create a presentation on Responsibility. We performed on stage in front of our peers! I am so proud of the performance. The children were fabulous. Click the link and take a peek.
Responsibility is being accountable for your own actions.
Assembly Read Aloud: What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick
Additional Suggested Titles:
I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer |
The Way I Act by Steve Metzger |
Lucy Goosey Takes Responsibility by Katherine Ciriello Clark |
The Worst Day of my Life Ever! by Julia Cook and Kelsey De Weerd |
But It’s Not My Fault by Julia Cook |
I Tell the Truth! by David Parker  |
Pigsty by Mark Teague
An amiable fantasy on a common theme. When Wendell’s mother takes a look at his messy room, throws up her hands in resignation, and tells him he can live in a pigsty if he wants to, he is delighted. What only he knows is that two pigs have found his room so agreeable that they have moved in. He enjoys playing with them, even though he has to give them his bed and they hog his pillows and blankets. But even Wendell has his limit, and when they chew his baseball cards, he reaches it. His mother hands her son a broom, and in a flash of inspiration he organizes the porkers into a cleaning crew.
The Paperboy by Dave Pilky
Early one cold morning a boy and his dog rise to deliver newspapers. In almost reverential silence they eat breakfast, prepare the newspapers, then step out into the chill, leaving sleeping parents and sister inside.
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
Ruthie loves little things–the smaller, the better. When she finds a teeny tiny toy on the school playground, she can hardly believe her luck. There’s just one problem: it belongs to somebody else! Ruthie insists the toy is hers, but deep down, she knows better. How could one little toy turn into such a great big problem?
Friendship is being caring and considerate to self and others. A kind person shows concern for the feelings of others and is helpful and generous.
When Mrs. Ruler asks five of her kindergarteners to miss recess, she’s got a special plan up her sleeve. She’s about to teach a new golden rule:
KINDNESS IS COOL!
How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. With the help of his sympathetic mother, he gently wraps the injured bird and takes it home.
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Marie Dismondy
How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.
When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.
How to Fill Your Bucket by Carol McCloud and David Messing
Through the story of a little boy named Felix, this book explains to children how being kind not only helps others, it helps them, too. As he goes about his day, Felix interacts with different people — his sister Anna, his grandfather, other family and friends. Some people are happy, but others are grumpy or sad. Using the metaphor of a bucket and dipper, Felix’ grandfather explains why the happy people make Felix feel good, while the others leave him feeling bad — and how Felix himself is affecting others, whether he means to or not.
Do You Want to be My Friend? by Eric Carle
In a 2009 Newsweek article, Eric Carle was asked which of his books were his favorite. He named this book, stating that it was an autobiographical story of his search for friendship as an immigrant 5-year-old. He finally found a close friend just before he moved back to Germany, which was soon war-torn.
How Kind by Mary Murphy
Socktober was launched by Kid President creator Brad Montague four years ago. It’s a movement to get kids and grown-ups to help the homeless in an easy, fun way. Check out the videos below to learn more. We hope to have the whole class participate.
On September 11th horrific events occurred, yet through the simple text and vibrant art of first graders, we are reminded that the world continued the next day. On each page, children experience the comforts of ordinary routines, such as their teacher reading books to them, having homework and recess, and knowing that 2 + 2 still equals 4. This is a poignant message of hope that reassures us all that even after bad things happen, tomorrow always brings a new day.
Below is the full text, September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right read by Jeannine Carr.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus