Deb Pierotti's Newsletter

Kind Communication for a Happy Classroom

2010-12-06T05:05:00.000-08:00

Brain research shows unless feelings of safety, trust and respect are present learning is shut off. Teaching kids about feelings and needs not only helps them to recognize what's going on inside themselves, but what's going on inside others, and it shows how talking can solve problems. Sometimes we just have a bad day. Sometimes it starts that way, sometimes it sneaks up on us. Moving through life can have it's hard moments. Click on the image and see how we use our communication skills to meet our needs, through an 'Empathy Shower'. (The 'man' mentioned on the bus was actually an older student from our school and the issue was resolved.)

Imaginative Narrative Writing

2010-12-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

We have been working on Imaginative Narrative Writing that focuses on character, problem, and solution, with dynamic introductions and closing paragraphs. Students have spent time elaborating and revising in preparation for final draft. Click on the picture below and listen for 'show not tell' sentences!

Compliment Round

2010-12-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

We give compliments during our day when we see someone who is working hard to follow

our Class Agreements. If your child comes home with a sticker on his/her shirt they have received a compliment. Our intent is to not only give a compliment, but fully receive. Students

work at giving eye contact when they thank someone. Click below to see this exchange!

Meet Professor Mathematics

2010-12-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

In Math we have been interpreting our line plots and making sense of the data. Although we can often read a graph it is hard to put the information into words that make sense. Students practice communicating information by looking at the shape of the data, finding the range, outlier and what is most typical. Click and listen to Professor Mathematics interpret the data from the line plot!

Animal Mania

2010-12-01T12:27:00.001-08:00

As we study the classification of animals we are gathering facts and creating questions from our facts that will be made into game cards. Our 'game' cards will have a picture of an animal (reptile, amphibian, mammal, fish, bird), and a question on the front, and the answer on the back. As a special artistic twist we will finger weave around our card, creating a framed playing card. Click on the picture below to get a sneak preview of our questions!