3rd grade Explores Learning Styles!

As we wrap up our long unit talking about academic success skills, we talked about how each of us learns differently.  Students were given cards with different pictures on them - rainbows, robots, books, sunglasses - in a variety of different colors.  We asked them to organize them however they thought made the most sense.  You can learn a lot about how kids think by doing something like this!  Some used the colors to categorize, others went alphabetically, and yet others grouped the cards by the picture (all robots together etc.). 
Afterwards, we discussed how all of us organize information in our brains differently too!  Therefore, understanding how you learn best can help you set up great study habits.  Students took a mini inventory asking them for how they prefer to learn, and they were able to add up the scores and see if they were visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners. 
I share with students that I've learned just how "visual" I am.  When I first started at Willow, my goal was to learn every student's name by the end of October.  I did quite well in grades 1-5 but in Kindergarten I really struggled.  And thenI realized (after teaching learning styles) that this was because when I visited those classes, students had their names written on their desk. In Kindergarten, we gather around a rug to talk, so their names weren't linked to them.  Now when I meet people, I try to write their names down so I can visually see it and lock it into memory!
In 3rd grade, there usually isn't a major distinction for kids, but this conversation about different ways to study so that the information "sticks" can at least give students ideas for setting up the ideal study habits for the way they learn best!

Career Clusters in 5th Grade

Our 5th graders have been spending the past six Life Skills classes learning about career clusters!  We have talked about how careers can be categorized or organized by clusters and by exploring each of them, students have been exposed to hundreds of career names - some they might not have even heard of before!
Each lesson has included a quick video showing a variety of careers in the field and many of these clips have been from technical colleges or universities demonstrating the types of training that are needed for various careers.  Students then cut out a sheet that has an overview of the cluster and paste this in their Interactive Notebooks that we have been adding to all year.  Next, they are given worksheets with 12-36 different careers (depending on the cluster!) and information on those careers such as skills needed, interests, and training required (2 year degree, 4 year degree, apprenticeship etc.).  They are asked to choose at least two careers that sound interesting to them.  They are by no means asked to select their "dream job" at this point - we are just exploring!  Asking them to identify which sound interesting helps them ask more questions, pinpoint their interests, and expose them to a variety of career options - which is the entire goal of 5th grade careers!

Positive Thoughts in 4th Grade

Our Mindfulness lessons continue with the focus on positive thoughts.  The way we talk to ourselves  becomes our mantra, and because Mindfulness is also connected to how we feel about ourselves, it is important to have positive self talk. 
Students created "fortune tellers" with positive affirmations that they had chosen from a list.  It was great to hear kids sharing with each other positive affirmations and hopefully they continue to read these to themselves and know that they matter, they can do anything, and they are important.

We LOVE a Challenge!!

Those with a Growth Mindset LOVE challenges!  We have been learning about "neuro-plasticity" and "neuropathways" in 2nd grade - this is the science behind Growth Mindset and proves I'm not just a bunch of talk ;)

2nd graders attempted the "Coin Challenge" and focused on their mindset while trying this trick!  Those who were able to do one penny kept challenging themselves to more pennies!

Olivia nails it!

Vinny attempts 3 coins!