Wolfie Goes to Work!!

How much does your child know about your career?  Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were a kid?  What are all of the different careers in your family?  What careers have you had over your lifetime?  

This year I am trying a new project to get kids asking questions about careers in their family.  What types of training did family members have?  Where do they work?  What do they like about their job?

Fourth graders will be bringing "Wolfie" home and getting a picture taken of Wolfie at their family member's work or wearing/near something that can signify the job.  Students then will interview this person about their job and write a report up so we can learn more about the careers of our Willow River family!  Wolfie will get to visit every family over the next few months and we can't wait to see what we learn!

Be KINDER Than Necessary!

I think we forget just how simple it is to be kind.  We might not even notice ways we are kind because they are a natural part of our day.  Holding the door for someone, asking a cashier how they are doing, taking the time to really listen to a child telling a story, picking up litter, or sending a note to a neighbor.  These do not have to be grand gestures that cost money and they can certainly be things kids can do too. 

As our world can seem like it is full of hate these days, it is also a world of compassion and kindness.  Here in our Willow River community, we see kindness all the time.  I've heard stories of UPStanders who go and sit by a girl who was all by herself at lunch.  I've had a 1st grade friend offer to have a very sad and scared friend sit by him on the bus.   I've had students give hugs and high fives as I greet them walking in.  Willow is FULL of kindness and this year we plan to showcase that as often as we can - especially at all-school meetings and with programming throughout the year to reinforce how important it is to just BE KIND.

Students were asked to cut out a shape of their hand in construction paper and sign their name to show their dedication to "be kinder than necessary" this year - tying in our experience watching "Wonder" last year in 3rd-5th grade.  The sign turned out beautiful and is a sweet reminder to us as we head out to recess or leave for the day.

NED Show!

All students have watched the NED clip about UPStanding - on Monday, October 1st, we got to meet NED and hear about Growth Mindset!  Students were amazed by the Yo-Yo tricks and magic that the presenter, Will, infused into the message.  We learned "N= Never Give Up" and hiked up Mount Everest, "E= Encourage others" on Kindness Island, and "D = Do Your Best" with an alien spaceship shaped like a brain!
This presentation is free to schools if you offer to sell the yo-yos for five days after the presentation - a "pay-it-forward" model.  All of the proceeds from yo-yos will pay for another school to hear this great message and a portion of proceeds will go to the Children's Hospital.