We are finishing up our second week of grade six and if these last two weeks are any indicator of what is to come, the 2007/2008 school year is going to pass incredibly fast.
During the first week, all of the grade sixes were divided into two groups. The two groups alternated between Mrs. Sofiak’s and Mrs. Albrecht’s classroom. Mrs. Sofiak had the students conduct interviews, then use the information gathered to formally introduce their peer to the class.
Mrs. Albrecht had the students study three selling techniques used in commercials. The students had to incorporate the techniques learned, into selling an imaginary product of their own.
September 10th arrived and the students were ready to formally begin grade six. In spite of our homework board listing several assignments, the students will only have homework IF they were not able to utilize their class time wisely. Each assigned task is allotted a full period (or more) to work on the task. If the assignment is not completed during the time given, your child is expected to take the work home for completion.
We experienced a death this week and held a funeral/farewell for the deceased. No, it was not an actual physical death, but the death of a learned response that has been detrimental to our students.
On Monday, students were asked to list every school task, behaviour, thought, expression etc.,they feel they CANNOT do. The students were taken aback by this negative request. After some initial hesitation, our children were soon filling their lined sheets with every conceivable I CAN’T thought. The students were then asked to hand the sheets in to me.
It was a fabulous feeling - I had every I CAN’T, every self doubt, or thought that held your/OUR children back from succeeding in my hand.
I announced that there would be a cremation and burial of the I CAN’TS the next day. Students were encouraged to prepare a sentence, paragraph or thought to say goodbye. We also needed to prepare for (and accept) the non existence of the words I CAN’T in our classroom.
The next morning was crisp and clear and perfect for a funeral. After a quick cremation (in a metal cooking container) we lined up, single-file, to dig up then bury the ashes of the I CAN’TS.
The Cremation:
The digging up:
Sarah begins the farewells:
The Burial:
Finally, the class of 2008 is ready to start their grade six year - free of those pesky I CAN’TS!
Since Wednesday, we have spent several sessions creating our Puzzle Profiles for Personal Planning (what a tongue twister).
One of our learning outcomes is for the student to “describe their own individuality within a social group”. By using the format of a jigsaw puzzle, the students are able to pictorially demonstrate how many pieces make up their personality. Some students have added more pieces, making their personal puzzle more intricate. This is true in real life as some of us have many, intricate sides, and others have fewer, yet more open personalities.
I have been learning a lot about the students by reading their profile puzzle pieces, and hopefully we will all learn a little more about each other as the project continues.
We will be writing more about the Community Corn Roast Dinner and posting pictures of the fabulous turnout!
