Fabulous Friday

Friday was the most fabulous of fabulous days. Here we are, back to the top of the roller coaster, where everything feels great again, and we're about to head downhill on the most fun part of the ride. What was it that made today so great?

I am a big fan of Quantum Learning. It is all brain-based research and they give best-practices for how to teach using what we know about the brain. They also created the "8 Keys of Excellence." These are 8 phrases that inspire one to live a full, effective and successful life. Go here to learn more about the 8 keys.

Integrity is one of the keys. Although we have not done the integrity "key", we have discussed it. I've noticed that my students needed some problem-solving strategies as they talk to each other. Many are responding quickly to others with anger, such as things like, "Stooop!" or "Get away!" These are just natural reactions, but I believe we need to teach the whole child, not just the academics. So on Friday, we began our first key of the year, Speak with Good Purpose.

Wow. I was amazed.

We had a lot of sentences on the board, and the students had to sort yes, an example of speaking with good purpose :) or no, not an example :(. They understood right away and could fully explain the reasoning. They extended their thinking- they knew that particular phrases would hurt other's feelings, or they would come up with a better way to say it on their own.

Next, each child made their own key, and wrote some examples of speaking with good purpose. They loved every second. I sent them home rather than hanging them in the room, in the hopes that it will spark convo with their family. Just seeing it will be a reminder for them of what I and the class expect when one opens their mouth to speak. I also mentioned to them that the keys that we are learning about do not unlock the door, but unlock a person's heart. When you treat someone with respect, they open up to you.

It took a big chunk of the morning, but it is one of those things that is too valuable than to worry about it taking all morning.

And they said..."I'm going to unlock peoples' hearts."
awwwww

That was just the morning! Stay tuned for more reason why Friday was the most fabulous of fabulous days...