empathy
noun em·pa·thy \ˈem-pə-thē\
: the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings

Below is the symbol for empathy. It shows that the world is interconnected. We are all connected and need to understand other people. It is important that we help each other learn to have empathy — to “walk two moons in someone else’s moccasins.”

In the book, Stand In My Shoes, Emily asks her big sister what the word empathy means, Emily has no idea that knowing the answer will change how she looks at people. But does it really matter to others if Emily notices how they’re feeling? Stand in My Shoes shows kids how easy it is to develop empathy toward those around them. Empathy is the ability to notice what other people feel. Empathy leads to the social skills and personal relationships which make our lives rich and beautiful, and it is something we can help our children learn. This book teaches young children the value of noticing how other people feel. Listen as the book, Stand in My Shoes by Bob Sornson is read.

Pamela Bartell’s Slidely by Slidely Slideshow

April’s Word of the Month: Flexibility

April’s word of the month is flexibility. 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.

Read: 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?

Flexibility is the Thinking Skill that focuses on the ability to adapt to new situations, improvise, and shift strategies to meet different types of challenges. Dealing with uncertainty, creative problems solving and handling change make take practice! Test your flexibility! Play the games “Me and the Key”, “Think Outside the Flock” and “A Spoon Full of Sugar”

Look at things differently and come up with creative solutions to problems. Identify an object from around the house and think about it differently. For example, different ways to use a phone book, such as for a booster seat, a doorstop, or a fire starter. Turn pots and pans into a drum set, or make a fort out of the couch and pillows.

In the comment section below, identify an object and describe how it would be used differently.

Remember…The username for a teacher’s blog is your first initial lastname and the password is your lunch code!

For the past nine years, the Washington Post sponsors a contest for its readers. Readers create a diorama of a famous scene in history or in current events. The one rule is that all the characters in the diorama must be played by Peeps (chicks or bunnies).

Below is an entry from last year’s Washington Post Contest. You can see more 2014 entries by clicking here.

Peeps Show 2014: ‘I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King Jr. Addresses the Peeple’

For the past two years, Cottage Lane held it’s own Sweet Peeps History Contest and the entries were fantastic! This year Mrs. McBride and I are extending the contest to include Tappan Zee Elementary and William O. Schaefer!

Watch the video below to learn the history of Peeps and get inspired!

You can also be inspired here or here with past Cottage Lane entries.

Rules:

1. Make a diorama of a famous occurrence or scene. It can be historical, cultural or a peek into the future. Just make sure all the characters are played by Peeps.
2. Make your diorama using a shoe box or comparable item of reasonable size.
3. Entries must include a creative title and description.
4. Describe the event and it’s significance on an index card. The description should be no more than one paragraph.
5. Submissions must include your name, grade, and teacher.
6. Deadline for all entries is Friday, April 10th. Late entries will not be accepted.

Good Luck Peeps!

Pamela Bartell’s Slidely by Slidely Slideshow

Geography by Slidely Photo Gallery

Pamela Bartell’s Slidely by Slidely Slideshow

Read: Enemy Pie by by Derek Munson

One boy’s perfect summer seems to be ruined when his worst enemy, Jeremy Ross, moves in down the block. Fortunately, though, Dad has a recipe for enemy pie. But it seems that the pie will only be effective if the recipient is treated kindly before eating it. Reluctantly, the boy agrees to spend time with Jeremy.

People say they don’t have time to be kind. Watch the video below to see how to stop and remind others that kindness only takes a moment! Kindness blossoms…

Read: I Like Your Buttons by by Sarah Marwil Lamstein, illustrated by Nancy Cote

When Cassandra compliments her teacher, she starts good feelings flying throughout the school, out onto the playground, and all around the neighborhood.
Pay It Forward!

This week in library, first and second grade students continue to explore the world of programming with an iPad app called Cargo-Bot!

Cargo-Bot is a puzzler designed to teach kids about programming. The concept is simple –tell a robot arm how to move colored boxes around on a platform into different patterns.The implementation may be quite challenging, and just like in coding, a working solution may not be the optimal solution.
The key to learning to code is learning to think like a computer—which is a hard thing to do! Your child may need assistance.
Get Cargo-Bot for free on the App Store.

tol•er•ance noun \ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s, ˈtäl-rən(t)s\
: willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own
: the ability to accept, experience, or survive something harmful or unpleasant

The start of 2015,a new year, and the days leading up to the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday is an excellent time to learn about tolerance. Martin Luther King Jr., dreamed of a world more tolerant than the one he lived in. Tolerance has the power to make a difference in student’s lives — and in the world those students will create.

What is your dream for the world?

Read Spork by Kyo Maclear

His mom is a spoon. His dad is a fork. And Spork, well…he’s a bit of both! Spork sticks out in the regimented world of the cutlery drawer. The spoons think he’s too pointy, while the forks find him too round. Will Spork find his place at the table?

Watch the tailer of this newly released book below.

To share and learn more about tolerance, consider reading the following books: