Last week, I alluded to the daily reflection that happens on Tuesdays-Thursday. Below is a sample of the children's comments since the beginning of school:
I learned how to capture the theme of a book. I learned that it’s not hard to like a book a lot. I learned that (reading) at the beginning of the day helps you focus if you have some time to read a book. I learned that when you start with a quotation it makes you want to read the book even more. I learned that the main reasons the world changed were because of guns, germs, and steel. I learned that sometimes people plant things for a reason. I learned that taking notes can help you out. I learned that geographical luck has a lot to do with making an advanced civilization. I learned the answer to Yali’s [question (Yali is a native of Papua New Guinea) to Jared Diamond about why white men have more "cargo" (technology)] is based on climate and crops and animals. I learned that as a thinker taking notes is important. I learned that the closer you are to resources the more likely you are to thrive. I learned that sometimes you have to trust that what you are doing is right. I learned that if you listen people will think that you really respect them. I learned that you can really relate to some people. I learned that big, memorable events are not too common. I learned that writing in the present-tense is harder than past-tense. I learned that if you help people they will help you. I learned that to make a friend you have to be kind. I learned that a timeline does not have to be straight but it can be creative. I learned that when you want time to go slowly it passes quickly, but when you want it to go fast, it only inches by. I learned that if everyone works hard we are a better team. I learned about abstract colors. I learned to never let my friends down. I learned that thinking in math is fun. I learned what colors contrast, and shadowing. I learned about how Jim’s math class runs and ratios. I learned that inspiration can come at any time. I learned how to use a variety of verbs. I was a writer and used similes and metaphors. I said one of my homework things to my mom. It made my day. I paid special attention to the “about the author” page. As an athlete, I learned how to pull myself up to high places and do different kinds of flips. I learned that how to be a leader in a civilization I learned that in some ways it was easier to be in a group and in other ways it was harder I learned the alphabet and a song in Spanish I learned it was hard to find resources for our tribe to survive I was a reader and learned that if you’re disabled and unable to work, you have to push through it. I was a thinker and we had to create a civilization. It wasn’t easy to survive back then. I learned that even if you are elected a leader, people the same age don’t respect you as their leader. I learned that even when you fight with friends, it’s always alright to forgive them. I learned that as civilizations become more advanced, resources become harder to find. I learned that it was hard for humanity to progress in general. As a friend, it is nice to ask people to sit with me. As an artist, I found that art doesn’t always have to be perfect or serious and you can have fun doing it. As a friend, I learned that my friends are open-minded and have a good imagination and want to be included. As a mathematician, I did a math problem wrong then realized I had it wrong. I learned some things are different than they seem. I learned about area, perimeter, and measurement for math and about societies and agreements for history. I learned that civilizations had to survive in different conditions. I learned that it is not always easy to be a leader. As a friend, I created a fun game with my friends and learned that we all have great imaginations. Walk your child to the classroom and have him/her show you their Andy Warhol inspired self-portraits, mini-memoirs, and personal timelines. Each piece reflects a thoughtful and creative approaches to each project. Last week, we began our daily spelling program. Please have your child tell you about the process and the reason behind the method we are using. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, each student writes a short reflection on what they learned the previous day and places it on their clothespin by the door. As part of this process, they answer three questions: 1) What did you do as a learner/friend/scientist/historian/reader/writer/artist/technician/thinker/classroom, family, community contributor yesterday? 2) How did you do it? 3) What did you learn? At the end of the week, I compile a class "learnings" list. It's often fascinating for them (and me) to see this collection of experiences. For a complete overview about what is happening in the 5/6 classrooms, please go to: http://horizons56.weebly.com |
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