During the month of April we recognize Autism Awareness Month. What is Autism? Autism is a disorder that affects how the brain works and can make it difficult for some people to talk, understand others, make friends or calm themselves down when they feel worried or stressed. Autistic people are just as happy as other people and it is important that we respect and accept them! Here’s a video to help you learn about autism:
We also celebrate our Character Education Theme, Communities Accept Others.
What does it mean to accept others?
Acceptance is understanding and celebrating the ways that each person is different and unique. That means having a right to their own feelings, thoughts and opinions.
When you accept people for who they are, you let go of your want to change them
When We Are accepting we:
Spend time with people who are different than you
Include everyone
Being kind and respectful
Learn about other people and ask questions to get to know them better
Make others feel valuable and loved regardless of differences
Our book of the month: Don’t hug Doug by Carrie Finison:
For the month of March we celebrate Women’s History Month. The month of March is designated in the United States as Women’s History Month, a month set aside to honor the important role that women play in the story of our country. Here is a short video to help us learn more about Women’s History Month:
We also celebrate our Character Education Theme, Communities Have a Growth Mindset.
What is a growth mindset?
People who believe that they can get stronger and smarter through hard work and practice have a growth mindset.
If you have a growth mindset you are in charge of how smart you are because you know you can grow your brain like a muscle by learning hard things.
I have a growth mindset because I know I can achieve anything with effort and the right strategies
I have a growth mindset and know that if I fail or make a mistake it’s a great thing because I learn from them and get better.
How can we get a growth mindset?
Instead of thinking “I can’t do this” Try thinking “I’m still learning, I will keep trying!”
Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that with hard work and effort we can do anything!
Check out this video on growth mindset:
Our book of the month: How to Solve a Problem- the rise and falls of a rock climbing champion
For the month of February we celebrate Black History Month. The month of February is designated in the United States as Black History Month, a month set aside to honor the important role that African Americans play in the story of our country. Here is a short video to help us learn more about Black History Month:
We also celebrate our Character Education theme Communities Show Persistence.
What does it mean to show persistence?
When you are persistent it means you keep trying, you do not give up
You press on even when you feel like quitting
You don’t let challenges stop you from accomplishing things
People who are not persistent give up very easily. They may try once and then quit. They do not believe they can do it. On the other hand, if you are persistent you keep trying. You will keep looking for ways to accomplish the task or goal. You are determined to succeed.
Check out this video of kids showing persistence and never giving up!
Our book this month is Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson & Sean Qualls.
Our song of the month, David Osmond, “I Can Do This”:
SOCES will be celebrating our 2nd annual College & career Week January 18-22! Each day we will have a school wide activity to support the development of career readiness in our students.
Tuesday:
Teachers will have a class discussion about their Educational Experience. Teachers will distribute question cutouts to help students to initiate the conversation.
Wednesday:
Design your ideal career pennant! Students will be able to design a pennant with what they want to be when they grow up! Using a blank piece of paper they can draw a triangle and decorate it with pictures relating to their future career.
Thursday:
Career Bingo (CLE): Students will find a teacher, administrator, or other adult at CLE for whom the following statements about college experiences are true. They will ask that person to sign the box that contains their true statement. Up to 5 people may sign their sheet twice. Five in a row wins – horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
Read Aloud (WOS): Students will listen to a read aloud of a career book.
Friday:
Dress like your future self day! Encourage your students to dress up like their future career. During morning meeting class will have a discussion about the outfit they are wearing and what they want to be when they grow up!
5th grade classes will be participating in career day chats with TZHS alumni!
All classes will be receiving a college & career lesson from Mrs. Mueller!
For the month of December we celebrate the importance of inclusion and this month’s theme: Communities Welcome All Members
What does inclusion mean?
Inclusion is making sure that everyone feels welcome and part of the group.
I – I is for inclusion. Inclusion means including others whenever possible.
N – N is for never. Never stare at anyone who looks or acts differently than you.
C – C is for care. Care for others even if they are different from you.
L – L is for love. Love your neighbor
U – U is for unbelievable. Notice the unbelievable talents in others.
S – S is for smile. Smile and wave so others feel happy too.
I- I is for I am. I am enough!
O- O is for open. Open your heart and space to make others feel welcomed.
N- N is for new friend. Reach out and play with someone new. You never know what you will learn from him/her.
Our book this month is You Are Enough by Margaret O’Hair:
Listen to our song of the month:
How can we be a friend to someone who needs a friend?
– Say hi
– Ask them to play with you at recess or sit with you at lunch
– Include them in your conversation if they look lonely
– Ask them questions about themselves- try to get to know them on the insidecope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen>
For the month of November our Character Education theme is Communities Create Traditions.
What are traditions?
– Traditions are a belief or behavior passed down within a group or community
– A tradition is something that is repeated for years and decades
– Traditions are also something we celebrate as a group
We celebrate 4 holidays during the month of November, Diwali, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Native American Heritage Month. These are examples of traditions because we celebrate them every year at the same time!
Traditions are so important because they bring a sense of comfort and belonging. Traditions bring families together and allow people to reconnect with friends.
Listen to our book of the month: Shaped By Her Hands
Listen to our song of the month : The Nights by Avicii
For the month of October our Character Education word is reliable.
What does it mean to be reliable?
– Being reliable means that other people can depend on you.
– It is doing something that you have agreed to do without forgetting or having to be reminded.
When you are reliable, people don’t have to wonder if you will be on time, or if what you agreed to do will get done.
When you are practicing reliability, others can count on you to do your best to keep your promises.
It’s important that we are reliable at school and at home!
We can start our school day off right by getting to the bus on time! Watch this video of Marcus being reliable.
Listen to a read aloud of our book of the month, Keeping the City Going
Having HOPE means:
– having the power inside you to believe that anything is possible
– having a feeling or chance that something will happen the way you want it to
– Something you wish for
Sometimes things happen and we have to give hope to others..
Almost twenty years ago on the morning of September 11, 2001 a tragic thing happened to the United States of America. Two airplanes were hijacked (taken over) by terrorists (bad people) and crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City killing nearly 3,000 people and destroying the skyscrapers. The tragic day has become known as 9/11.
On September 11th it is important that we remember the lives of those who were killed on that day and the honor the heroes who saved many.
After this happened, many people were hurt, scared, and feeling hopeless. Other countries around the world showed the United States hope by their acts of kindness. Our book this month is 14 Cows For America. This book is about how a small tribe in Africa gave the United States 14 cows which was a gift of compassion, generosity and hope.
Showing HOPE to others means:
– Showing love and care for others
– When you believe in something and don’t give up
– When something goes wrong but knowing there is still good that can happen
Moment of Silence:
Something important that we do each September 11th is to take a moment to remember all the people who were killed on that day and the honor the heroes who saved many lives.
We do this by ringing a bell 11 times to remember the day and never forget. In this next video we are going to learn about the spirit of heroism bell and take a moment of silence to commemorate the day and never forget.
Song of the Month:
Activity of the Month:
For this month’s character education theme, decorate post-it notes to signify what hope means to you. You can use words, pictures, designs, patterns and as many colors as you want to fill the entire space of your post-it note.
Each note will represent a piece of the twin towers and the notion of a better, more peaceful future for all.
