Habit 5, Habit 6, and Habit 7

It's been a while since I have updated our progress on the 7 Habits!  We have introduced all of the habits and plan on spiraling back to dive deeper into each habit in January.  We wrapped up our introduction of the 7 Habits with Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood, Habit 6: Synergize, and Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.

Habit 5: Seek for to Understand, Then to be Understood
This habit is all about listening to others and trying to understand another point of view.  We also learned that good listeners listen with their ears, eyes, and heart.

Habit 6: Synergize
Together is better!  Working together helps us get our accomplish our goals whether it's playing a game or cleaning up.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
It is important to take time to take care of your mind, body, heart, and soul.

Thank You, Ms. Salzbach!

This past Friday was Ms. Salzbach's last day with our class.  We were so fortunate to have her student teach in our classroom.  The students benefited greatly from her time spent with us.  We wish her luck on her new adventure!

Ms. Black Feather

Ms. Thompson, also known as Ms. Black Feather to the children, visited our classroom to share stories and songs about American Indian history, culture and heritage.  The students were so engaged and enthralled by her! 

Veterans Day

This week we are learning about the importance of Veterans Day and honoring the men and women who serve our country so we can have freedom and be safe.  On Tuesday morning, we had a school wide ceremony honoring local veterans.  We even had a soldier from the United States Army visit our classroom!

Thank you to all who have served our country!

Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

We had a fabulous time at Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard.  The students were able to participate in many fun activities that enriched our learning about pumpkins, their life cycles, and the uses of pumpkins and apples.

We started off with a ride on the yellow school bus.  For some, it was the first time they had been on a bus!  When we arrived at the farm, we took a hayride to the pumpkin patch.  We passed apple trees, a pond, and beautiful mountain views.  Once in the pumpkin patch, each student was able to pick out a pumpkin.  (We are saving these pumpkins for experiments next week!  Your child will bring them home Wednesday or Thursday.)  After the hayride, we enjoyed a corn maze that involved solving trivia to find the right way out.  Mrs. Stepp taught us about the life cycle of a pumpkin, took us on a tour of a pumpkin patch where we looked for green pumpkins, yellow flowers, orange pumpkins, and rotten pumpkins, and then did an apple demonstration where students tasted different types of apples.  We wrapped our trip up with a fun ride down the slide.

It was a perfect fall day spent at Stepp's Hillcrest Farm.  Thank you to everyone who made it an engaging field trip full of learning!  Enjoy the pictures!

Fire Safety

Friday we had the opportunity to learn about fire safety from the Dana Fire Department.  We had an assembly where we were able to see a firefighter dress up in all of his gear and hear what it sounds like when he talked and breathed.  We also toured a fire truck and a rescue vehicle.  The smokehouse was here and inside we learned about safety inside our house, especially in the kitchen.  We practiced exiting a house when there is smoke.  Everyone's homework is to go home and practice a fire drill in their home.  What do you do?  Where are the exits? Where do you meet? Don't forget to check your smoke detectors and change the batteries!

Thank you Dana Firefighters for an awesome day!

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

This week we are focusing on Habit 4: Think Win-Win.  The first three habits have to do with individuals and being a happy, balanced person.  Habits 3, 4, and 5 have to do with relationships with other people.  When we think win-win, we balance courage for getting what we want with consideration for what others want.  When conflicts arise, we look for a win-win solution. 

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Last week we focused on Habit 3 during Wildcat Team Time.  Habit 3 is Put First Things First.  In other words, work before play.  We need to do what's important before we do things that are not as important.  We set priorities, make a schedule and follow a plan.  Talk to your child about the single most important thing he or she could do to help in the morning (get dressed, brush teeth, pack a lunch).  Have him or her draw a picture doing that important thing.  Display this page where you and your child will see it.  The same activity could be done for another part of the day.  For example, doing homework before playing outside or taking a bath before watching a movie.

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind

Last week we focused on Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind.  When we begin with the end in mind, we plan ahead and set goals.  We do things that have meaning and make a difference.  Ways kindergarteners begin with the end in mind is setting a goal for the day like saying kind words.  Or sometimes we set goals to read a certain number of books or learn a certain number of letters.  When we begin with the end in mind, we think about where we want to be and how we are going to get there.

Next week we are learning about Habit 3: Put First Things First.

Wait? FIVE WEEKS!!

It is almost October.  You heard that right. OCTOBER!  Cooler weather, changing leaves, pumpkin everything - and a rockstar kindergarten class.  The amount of growing and changing that has happened in this classroom the past five weeks has been amazing.  This past week we began literacy stations.  Ask your child which one is his or her favorite!  They will be constantly changing as our skills change.  We've been working in our interactive math and letter notebooks as well as learning about the changing seasons.  Here are some pictures of our wonderful wildcats.