Learning to Listen

We are going to begin a new program, called "Second Step". This week we will begin the Skills for Learning unit. Listening is a fundamental skill for learning that helps children focus and pay attention. Following the Listening Rules helps children listen to their teacher and improve their ability to listen and pay attention during class discussions.

Many children struggle to be successful in the structured learning environment of school, especially children still working to develop competence in the basic skills of paying attention, following directions, and inhibiting inappropriate behavior. Research shows that children who start school lacking these skills for learning have poorer academic achievement and more problems with peers.

The Second Step program includes Brain Builder games, stories, puppets (you'll hear more about them soon!) and music. About once a week, I will also send home a Home Link that will explain the skill that we've learned and give you a follow up activity to do at home with your child. I would love your help and involvement with this and I believe that you'll find these skills helpful at home too. The first Home Link will come home this week. There will usually be an activity to complete with your child, and a place to sign and return it to me.

Other units in this program include Empathy, Emotion Management and Problem Solving. I am excited to begin this new program with our students because I have seen how much they have struggled in all of these areas. Thank you for your help and support with this!

The Fun Run was Fun!!!

We had a perfect morning for our Loon Lake Fun Run! We wore our cool checkered scarves and everyone ran laps in the sunshine. Afterwards, we counted our wrist rubber bands and had water and apple slices. Everyone did a fantastic job! Thanks to all the parents who were there to help lend a hand!

Room 113's Big Pumpkin Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

Monster Toast

Today we "painted" monsters on bread and popped it into the toaster. It was a lot of fun, and we loved seeing all the bright colors on our toast.

Math Games and Friendships

We love it when we're able to teach a math skill and a social skill together! Math games are a wonderful way to practice turn taking and good sportsmanship, while practicing a skill such as counting coins. Speaking of coins and money... have your child count or sort your change at home. We also count coins and make trades with coins during our morning calendar time.

The Social Work Table

Mrs. Schnieders (our social worker) and her intern, Mrs. Alt, work with small groups of children at the Social Work Table. This work might include reading a book about a social skill, completing a task together cooperatively, or talking about and practicing a coping skill. Just as we do during academic tasks or Group Time, we practice sitting, listening and paying attention. These are the learning skills we need in order to be able to acquire new information. The social work session often ends with a game that provides another opportunity to practice a social skill.

Changes

September has been a big month for the children in our room. Some of our older students have embarked on more inclusion and participation in general education classrooms. They have been given more responsibility in our classroom and they have often served as role models and leaders. These older students have been great examples to younger, newer students while being able to reflect back on some of the behaviors they may have had in their beginning year with us.
Our newer, younger students are beginning to have an understanding of cause and effect in terms of their behavior. Many are beginning to modify their behavior in order to obtain a desired consequence. They are learning that we are a cooperative group, and that rules exist so that we are safe and can all learn at school. School has many new demands and expectations that may not exist at home. This may be the first time your child has had to work as a part of a group of people doing things that may be new and frustrating, within a time frame and with a series of transitions! It is HARD work! But this hard work is what leads to CHANGE, and this potential for change is a wonderful gift and opportunity for your child. This kind of change does not happen overnight...it takes time, patience and teamwork. Please know that we love your children before they change, and we celebrate each baby step toward change that they make.