Our First Service Learning Project

Last week the entire fourth grade collected money and school supplies for the kindergartners at Calvert Elementary in Houston, Texas! Basic supplies were requested by the kindergarten teachers, as hurricane Harvey inflicted so much destruction in their area. Reed's 4th graders came through and then some with the amount of care packages they were able to put together. In addition to organizing supplies and creating these care packages, Reed's 4th graders made cards and a banner for Calvert's kindergartners. Just a few weeks ago Reed celebrated National Character Day. We discussed different ways we could make a difference in the lives of others. With this project, we hope that were are able to give the kindergartners positive memories to start their educational career. It definitely resonated with us. Thank you to all that were able to donate!

4H's Cha-Cha

 Last week I had the kids dance the Cha-Cha again. I taped the performance, and here it is...

This week 4th graders are partaking in a special service learning project for kindergartners at Calvert Elementary in Houston, Texas. Students will organize donated school supplies for each kindergartner and create a personal note for a special care package. A BIG thank you for all that have donated supplies! Look for pictures of this wonderful experience on my blog next weekend.

Lunch Munch

We had a wonderful day for our first Lunch Munch of the year! Students enjoyed lunch outside with friends and family. Then, the kids of 4H danced the Cha-Cha with gusto! Look for a video of the Cha-Cha coming soon.

Leader in Me

One of my favorite pieces to teach each year is Leader in Me. By learning the 7 Healthy Habits students develop the skills of goal setting, data tracking, problem solving, and the discovery of finding the leader within. We will watch powerful videos, practice skills with interactive activities, and have meaningful discussions all surrounding the 7 Habits. It is my hope that children in my class use the 7 Habits language, and demonstrate an understanding of the habits in their everyday lives.

This week I briefly introduced the 7 Habits, and we completed a face painting activity that put the habits in motion. Students had to Begin With the End in Mind and make a plan for their faces. We learned that African tribes paint faces for many reasons, and the symbols and colors they use take on different meanings. So once students had a plan for their own face, they had to Synergize with their partner to create his/hers face painting masterpiece. Below are just a few of the many pictures from our first Leader in Me activity!

Look What Is New In 4H!

This year I started something new... how I approach morning work! Typically, morning work would be a worksheet or two based on reading and math. However after some research, I liked the idea of a community-building approach to start my mornings. So this summer I bought a bunch of games! Three mornings a week students in 4H come into the classroom and choose a game to play. The only rules are... that they have to choose different games and partners each time!

First Week of Fun!

4H has been getting to know each other and building a sense of community for the past week. Some of the activities that 4H participated in to support becoming one big happy family are: Masterchef partner competitions, watching the Great American Eclipse together, dancing the Cha-cha, learning about each other through our writer's notebooks, and working together for the sitting challenge. It is going to be a fabulous year in 4H!

Welcome to 4th Grade!

Welcome! I am looking forward to an amazing year of learning and memories!
In these first couple of weeks we have been getting to know each other, testing for differentiated instructional purposes, learning about the 7 Habits, and just getting back into the swing of school!

What I love about the kids in 4H already...

Their ENERGY!

Their HUGS in the morning!

Their THIRST for KNOWLEDGE!

Their MANY connections throughout the day.

Their SMILES!

Their WILLINGNESS to do whatever I throw at them!

 We 💙 REED!