School is back in session and we are back at school learning and working on our Common Core standards for 3rd grade. I know how excited the kids are after a long break and I wanted to give them a couple of opportunities to share in fun ways.
First I told the class they would get to be reporters and interview one another. I gave them some time to brainstorm questions then split them into A/B partners. Rather than just have them talk about their own breaks, I had them ask probing questions of their partner. After about 10 minutes of interviewing, they shared what they learned about the other person in pair presentations to the class. The students could then take one question each from the class about their own breaks. It went very smoothly and they students really enjoyed the experience. I was amused by some of the questions, though many of them were largely the same.
Being the new year I thought it was a good time for some thought on what my students wanted out of their 2015. I saw some cute ideas on Pinterest for posters kids made that had their hand and foot prints and things about them…a keepsake essentially. I thought I would make it more like resolutions/goals. I discussed the concept of resolutions and goals with the class and had them brainstorm on what things they wanted out of their 2015. I had several confused and simply stating things they wanted and I had to remind them that they were not making a gift list for next Christmas. I also had several not maximizing the poster I had given them and I had to explain the importance of visual appeal and readability. I have included my instructions as well as some of the best posters in the class.
I thought the posters turned out well despite confusions. I will display the posters in the class for a time then give them to the students so they can see how their 2015 turned out in the end and if they achieved some of the things they wanted from their 2015.
21st Century Educator 