Today was Pirate #3 for Tallwood! We expanded on our multiplying skills and practiced math facts on a pirate website. We had a great day writing stories, learning about a Pirate Princess, and putting tales of the high seas in order. My favorite part of the day today was when one of my little guys said, "I believe, so I can achieve!"
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This year the program I work in has moved to another school.
This summer has been challenging and really caused me to seek in many ways and look at my own character as I continue to dive into this school year. I have lost my mother and was in a major car accident. I can only hope I find strength that will help me become a better mother, counselor, and teacher as I find new paths to take as my roles have changes a lot this past year. We all need change and time to evolve. Sometimes evolution is pushed upon us when we least expect it. Those are the times when we truly find out if we are people of character. It's easy to be a good person when things are going our way. But, what choices do you make when things don't go your way? Forever in my heart as my Superstar! Love you, Mom! This school year we have seen a lot of success from implementing our character education program. We have started with a school wide program that allows students to visualize their desired behaviors through the use of commonly known characters such as spiderman and the hulk. We use a "Caught Being Good" incentive program that instantly reinforces the role model behaviors displayed by students through cards carried by all staff in the building and acknowledgement of the students on the afternoon announcements. We have superheroes from each class displayed for all students, staff and visitors to see in the main hallway who are celebrated several times throughout the month via PTA meetings, ice cream celebrations and visits from our local Superheroes (ie power rangers, etc) during PE to verbally acknowledge the choices the students are making each day. Finally, the teachers are utilizing a common incentive "wampum" system that allows students to purchase items on a weekly visit to the student store for making great choices such as sitting quietly at their desks, being kind to a friend, etc. Our very own Superhero was chosen as the Citizen of the Month for all of VBCPS in the area of Responsibility! What an amazing beginning of the school year for WOES! I hope you enjoy the pictures I have enclosed of a couple of our events so far this year. The first one is the second grade Responsibilty Superheroes with the Red and White Power Rangers during the PE Celebration. The second is me after our PTA awards ceremony to acknowledge of 32 of our monthly superheroes for September!
I learned today that as our first month in school comes to a close, less than a handful of our superheroes have needed administrative intervention. This is such an amazing feat for our school as teachers and staff school wide have been working tirelessly to implement tremendous amounts of change. I see hallways with countless amounts of students respecting the learning environments around them. I witness classrooms with students striving to learn. And, I hear the name of one "super" character being acknowledged every afternoon before going home for the day. What a way to begin and end each school day! Keep it up Windsor Oaks!
Starting and implementing our school wide Superhero Character Ed program has been exhausting but fruitful. I am excited to see the kids using common language
It's been a long time since I've written on this page, although I've sent some things via twitter. I've been spending time getting ready to introduce a character education program to my school for this upcoming school year. Although I'm excited, I'm tired! :) Well, wish me luck..Here goes tomorrow! :) One thing that I did find that I feel in love with is the attached poster for classroom expectations. Enjoy!
What I have discovered this week as I'm been working on my "priorities" is that I am thankful to have things in my life. Things to do, things to value, people to love and goals to work toward. Are they work..absolutely! Does it afford me alot of down time..absolutely not! But, that's just the point. I like feeling productive and needed. I like feeling as if I am at least trying to make a difference. I like being busy everyday on the things that matter to me. If I didn't have these things, what would I be? hmm..not sure, but I don't think I would like it. Find purpose and fulfillment in your life. Stay busy and working toward the things that matter in life. I
This week was the first week I've really had to struggle with choices to make this summer. This school year we were so busy that things at home were constantly put aside. Only our bare neccesities were being taken care of while organization and other typical routine chores were often put aside. After my U of SD conference, I have felt torn between getting caught up and entertaining the kids. I know they need to respect that we all have responsibilites to tend to; but on the other hand, we've all worked so hard we deserve a break to spend time together. Which lesson do I want to teach today? Patience? Responsibility? Or, is it that I need to let go of these things and learn that I have been struggling with my own priorities lately? How does anyone balance all that needs to be cared for in one day? I know my choices will affect them and how they learn to deal with time management and prioritizing later in life. I want them to understand that it is not ok to blow off studying for a major test in order to go to the beach. But, at some point, all work and no play becomes overwhelming and lends itself to burn out. We all need balance. I guess this is the area I am beginning to seek improvement in..it is a long time coming.
I found found several examples today of videos that demonstrate amazing examples of character in those around us. This one I think is my favorite because it shows that even the smallest of all of us can make a tremendous difference! Click on the button below and check out this kind soul!
The Kindness Matters conference was amazing and C.J. even asked me to discuss THIS BLOG with the participants as we awaited the keynote speaker. That was such a validating gesture! I came back from conference so excited about ideas and resources. As I was discussing these ideas, the program psychologist gave me an amazing idea about our level system. I will work on the changes and get back to you for some feedback. I haven't had a lot of time to post my new resources as I have begun professional development on Growth Mindset and Teach like a Pirate. One thing I would like to say is that one area I have decided I need to work on is immersion in the moment. I find myself constantly trying to multi-task; yet, what am I really accomplishing. My goal is to begin being in the moment. I encourage all of you to try this. Imagine if every person you encountered felt your presence 100%. What differences do you think you could make just by maintaining eye contact, asking questions or responding to others as they speak to you, or telling others how much sharing their time meant to you? Please share with us your experiences as you begin this new challenge!
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AuthorMy name is Kimberly Logsdon. I am a mom, educator, blogger, and joy ambassador. My goal is to continue finding ways to enrich the lives of all the children I love, be it my own or my students! Archives
September 2017
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