The kickoff of the of the 4-H Schoolhouse Chick Program for the whole First Grade and Mrs. Miller will be visiting our classroom for a lesson on friendships, making friends and keeping them. We've explored a few books already recently that have dealt with this topic, If It's Not a Big Deal, Don't Squeal! and Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?. The real origami bucket's from Sara's talented mom Patti, were completed as a class activity to go along with the last book. The first book was to help students understand when they should problem solve on their own and when something is important enough to get an adult's help. Tattling can take up a lot of unnecessary instructional time and most of it occurs because students think they need an adult's help when they often don't.
Children at this age are still learning social skills, such as how to negotiate, take turns, make choices and problem solve independently. Discussing how friendships can involve give and take such as taking turns where playdates occur and taking turns choosing activities or games would be helpful whether it's in the car while running errands or talking about examples from your childhood. There are tons of great picture books that address all of these topics as well.
Students are also expected to be independence in various life skills, like being able to keep their desk organized, put away papers in their folders without help, place notes in the notes baskets without reminders, and tie shoes and zip up jackets in a timely manner.
Regarding the Schoolhouse Chick Program, Mrs. Karen Zimmerman, the 4-H Volunteer, will be delivering fertilized eggs for the whole first grade as well as having a discussion with classes about their life cycles, different kinds of chickens, how to tell the difference between a hen and rooster and even how to tell the color of the egg that a hen will lay. We will be starting our economics unit and integrating what goods farmers provide as well as addressing topics such as wants and needs, good vs. services, communities, money and making choices, community helpers and other occupations.
Please make sure Thursday your child brings a water bottle to school and wears sneakers as they will be participating in Jump Rope for Heart during their specials time.
Have a FANTASTIC week!
Krista
