Discipline Answers

These Announcement Questions were featured as a successful program for “Teaching Social Responsibility” in the ASCD journal, Educational Leadership (May 2009.)

For more background information on this program and how it relates to the Discipline without Stress approach, read the article, “One Question a Day.”

What are these questions?
The questions posted below come from Alex Aitken Elementary School in Duncan, B.C., Canada. Four mornings a week, a question is broadcast to all classrooms. Afterward teachers often allow time for a very brief discussion.

What’s the purpose of these daily questions?
To promote reflection about various school events or issues. Dr. Marshall points out: “The most effective approach for achieving long-lasting changes in behavior will invariably be a result of reflection—thinking about one’s own actions and choices and then desiring to do something differently. When reflective questions are asked, people are prompted to reconsider, think, change their minds, and thereby grow. By asking students reflective questions, adults will accomplish what they want more effectively and with less resistance and stress.”

What is the goal of this program?
The goal of the teachers in this particular school is twofold:1) To effectively direct the attention of all students to current or problematic issues in the school in a positive way. Students are invited to voluntarily become more personally and socially responsible.  2) To describe and acknowledge acts of individuals that demonstrate internal motivation. This helps develop an understanding of Level D motivation and reminds students that being internally motivated is always a satisfying personal choice.

How might these questions be of use to others?
Although the reflective Announcement Questions posted here are tailored to one particular school community, the hope is that others may find them helpful in developing a similar program. Alex Aitken School is now in the sixth year of using their Announcement Questions program. The teachers find that directing the entire school’s attention to a particular topic each day allows them to positively influence students.

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(Scroll to the bottom to see the most recent questions.)

 

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Today we start our year’s announcements with an acknowledgment from Mr. C__, our principal.

A couple of weeks ago, at the end of the Terry Fox Run, Mr. C__ started to clean up the pylons that marked the running course.  He noticed that many students immediately started to help him.  He hadn’t asked for help yet suddenly he had many willing assistants!  Maybe you were one of them.  If so, Mr. C__ really appreciated your helpfulness!  

What level is it when a person takes the initiative to pitch in and help someone else, without even being asked?

 

Thursday, October 1, 2009

At Alex Aitken School we have many grownups available to help children.  Once in a while when you are outside playing, you might need an adult to get you a bandaid or an ice pack.  Or you might need an adult to help you solve a problem. 

Here’s something to think about: If you need help at lunch or recess times, who are the adults you should go to first?  What’s our school procedure?

 

Friday, October 2, 2009

One thing that sets exceptional students apart is this:  When they don’t understand something, they ask for help.  Instead of ignoring the problem, they tell the teacher right away that they need extra practice.

Today we have an acknowledgment for some exceptional music students.

Mrs. M__ has a number of students, both new and old to Alex Aitken, who are asking her if they can come for extra practice with the recorder at lunch time.  Mrs. M__ is thrilled with this responsible attitude!  When students take the initiative to ask for help, teachers are delighted to help them improve their skills.  This is the highest level of operation!

When people act on the highest level, how do they feel inside?

 

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

This week we will have an opportunity to visit the Book Fair.  Everyone enjoys the chance to look at all the new books and other special items that are laid out on the tables – it’s just like a store!

Well, in fact it is a store, so when we go into the library this week, we need to use the same kind of manners that we would expect to use in a bookstore downtown.

How do you walk around in a bookstore?

How do you handle a book that you’d like to look at but might not actually buy?

 

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Today each class will be called to the gym to have school pictures taken. There’s always a bit of waiting time involved as each person stands in line for a turn and waits for everyone in the class to be finished.

Anyone who is watching can easily spot the mature students at a time like this. Mature students are the ones who are able to handle “waiting time” well. They don’t need an adult to babysit them every moment.  They are in charge of their own behavior.

What does it look like if someone your age is waiting with maturity?

 

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Yesterday and today are parent-teacher interview days at our school.  Two things that parents and teachers usually talk about are work habits and behavior.

Your parents may want to know:

• how well you pay attention to lessons,
• whether or not you are organized and;
• whether or not you get along well out on the playground.

Here’s a question:  How do your teachers know what to say about you?

 

Friday, October 9, 2009

Thanksgiving is a special holiday when we take time to feel thankful for everything that is important to us.  Why should we do this? One good reason is simply because gratitude makes us feel good inside.

Take a moment now to think about something or someone in your life that makes you feel thankful.

Did you notice how you felt inside?

That’s the good feeling that comes from being grateful for things that are important to you.  Even though our Thanksgiving holiday is just once a year, you can choose to feel good by having grateful thoughts every day.

 

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

For the next three days our school is involved in an exciting project called Stream of Dreams.  Every student in our school will paint a wooden fish to add to a mural on our school fence.  Every student will learn about taking care of rivers and streams in our area.

Here’s a question that the Stream of Dreams team will be asking you:  Why is it so important that rainwater be the only thing that goes down storm drains in the street?

 

Thursday, October 15th

Our Stream of Dreams project is well underway!  If you didn’t have a turn to learn about protecting water yesterday, you will have a turn today.  Tomorrow all of our painted fish will be attached to the fence!  We will soon have a beautiful mural!

When people drive by our school they will notice our mural on the fence.  What important message are we hoping to send to everyone who sees our mural?

 

Friday, October 16, 2009

For several days now we have been involved in a fabulous mural project!  Not only have we painted a beautiful stream of colourful fish for our school fence, but we have also learned about water protection.  (Click to see our mural.)

What is something you have learned about fish, storm drains or waterways that you never knew before?  What idea could you teach to your family?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Throughout the year we do a lot of safety drills at Alex Aitken.  Practice drills help us prepare for emergencies such as fires or earthquakes.

What procedures should we follow during an earthquake drill?

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Do you like to write or tell stories?

If so, today is a lucky day for you!  Mr. C__ has arranged for two authors to share their talents with us. The primary students will meet with a picture book author and the intermediate students will meet an author who writes novels.

What might you be able to learn from an author?

 

Thursday, October 22, 2009

A few weeks ago at lunch hour, Mr. C__ noticed a busy commotion underneath the monkey bars.  Many students––some younger and some older––were searching and sifting through tiny bits of gravel.  He wondered what was going on so he headed over.  When he got there, he was told this story:

A grade three girl, high up on the monkey bars, had had a loose tooth.  When she was accidentally bumped, her tooth fell right out––and down into the gravel below.  She felt so sad!  A tooth is almost exactly the same size and shape as a piece of playground gravel!  Immediately, every student in the area started to search.

Mr. C__ would like to acknowledge all the young people who gave up their playtime to look for the lost tooth that day.  Kids helping kids is something that we see all the time at Alex Aitken. Mr. C__ wants you to know how much he enjoys being the principal of a school where kids offer to help each other!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Today we would like to spend a minute to recognize the service that Division 2 students offer to our school!

They pick up paper and plastics.  They sort drink containers. They even rinse them out, in the primary classrooms.  Division 2 students also collect compost, which isn’t the nicest job in the world. Thank you, Division 2!

Why are all these recycling jobs so important?

 

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Today we’ll be carving pumpkins. Thinking about pumpkin clean-up time gives us a chance to understand the difference between Level C and Level D.

People operating on Level C only help with clean-up when a teacher is watching.  Although they are cooperative, they can’t keep themselves working when the adult moves away.  In other words, they need some babysitting.

Level D is higher.  Can you explain how Level D would be different than Level C at a clean up time?

 

Friday, October 30, 2009

Since today is Halloween, you’re probably planning to go trick-or-treating.

Everyone remembers to say something when the door of a house is opened:  “Trick-or-treat!” we automatically call out.   But what about after the candy has been given out?   Do you dash off to the next house, quick as a wink–or do you show good manners before you leave?

If you were the adult–buying and giving out candy–what would you hope trick-or-treaters would say before they went on their way?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Next Tuesday we will be having a Remembrance Day ceremony at Alex Aitken.  We’ll take some time to think about peace.

Here is a quotation from Mother Teresa. She was a lady interested in helping others and creating peace in the world.

Mother Teresa said, “Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you wouldn’t normally smile at.  Do it for peace.”

How does smiling help make the world more peaceful?

 

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Next Tuesday morning we will be having a special assembly.  The Remembrance Day assembly is very different than a regular assembly.  It is a ceremony.

When we enter the gym next Tuesday the expectations will be different than usual.  At regular assemblies we usually have a moment to talk with the people near us.  At the Remembrance Day Ceremony we will enter and sit without talking at all.

Why do we choose to be very quiet on Remembrance Day?

 

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Many of the older students in our school have been preparing for our Remembrance Day Assembly, which will be held next Tuesday.

The Remembrance Day assembly is a ceremony, not a performance.

At our ceremony there will be singers and people speaking.  Some poems will be recited too.  Normally we would show our appreciation by clapping, however at a ceremony we do not clap for the performers.

Do you remember any other special manners we should have at our Remembrance Day Ceremony?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Later this morning, we will be meeting in the gym for our Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Today, all over Canada, school children will be taking time to quietly consider the terrible results of war.  They will be thinking about how we can bring more peace to the world.

Many students will be doing presentations today.  All the presenters have taken time to practice for their performances.  How can we show them that we are carefully considering what they say?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

On Monday, in our assembly, Mrs. C__ showed us pictures of the Kenyan school children that we have been helping now for three years.  In the past, the money we raised went to help buy uniforms and school supplies but this year our money will be used to buy three different things.

Can you remember what Mrs. C__ said?  What three types of things will we send to Kenya this year?

Friday, November 13, 2009

On Tuesday, students in Alex Aitken School received a well-deserved compliment from Major S__, the war veteran who spoke at our Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Do you remember how Major S__ said he was impressed with the behavior of all the children in our school?  He said that Alex Aitken students show great discipline.

What did the Major notice in the gym that day?  What did he mean when he said that we were disciplined students?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A while ago Mr. C__ mentioned that we would be having one more fire drill this fall.  The purpose of a fire drill is to practice the procedures for getting safely and quickly out of the building.

One of the most important procedures is moving in silence.  When the alarm rings, students line up and walk in silence.  At the basketball court they stand in silence until the drill is over.

Why is silence so important in a fire drill?

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Today many classes will be involved in environmental workshops to learn more about protecting our Planet Earth.

At Alex Aitken School we think often about the environment.  Every day we do a lot of recycling—from paper to juice boxes to composting.  When the Stream of Dreams team was here we learned about keeping rivers and streams clear of pollution.

What about at home?  What types of things does your family do to protect the environment?

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Yesterday one of the adults in the school noticed that some students are walking through the parking lot to get to the playground.  Cars and trucks are also moving through this same space.

Every student in our school is precious.  Imagine how we would all feel if somebody got hurt by a car.

Let’s review the procedures for getting to the playground and fields.  What are the safest ways to get there from your classroom?

Friday, November 20, 2009

One of the most important things we do at school is learn to read well.

The best readers always make sure to stop, when what they are reading doesn’t make sense to them. Then good readers go back and read again.  Right after the announcements, it’s the Whole School Read.  Every day you have an opportunity to move your reading level forward by using good reading habits.

Think for a moment: Do you stop whenever the words don’t make sense to you?  Then what do you do?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Right now in our area we are having major wind and rain storms.  Our school yard is muddy and slippery.

At our assembly on Monday, Mr. C__ suggested that people have a plan in place just in case they accidentally fall during recess or lunch.

Can you remember what Mr. C__ suggested?  What would responsible people carry in their backpacks in this kind of weather?

Wednesday, December 3, 2009

Everyone looks forward to recess and lunch time.  We can run around.  We can kick balls.  We can climb and jump and swing.  And instead of using quiet indoor voices, we can use louder outdoor voices.

Loud voices are fine on the playground, but what about screaming?

Why is it a bad idea to scream in the schoolyard?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

A few weeks ago Mr. C__ asked everyone to be prepared for the rainy weather by bringing extra clothing to school.

Now the rain and mud has disappeared and we have sunny and very cold weather instead.  We still need to be prepared though––in a different way.

What kind of outdoor clothing should you be wearing to school now?

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Every year at Christmas our school tries to help people who live in our town.  This year we are going to try and fill Mr. C__’s office with donations to the Cowichan Food Bank.  Mr. C__ hopes that we fill it so full he might have to move out for a little while!

Here’s something to think about.  We already have lots of big food stores in Duncan.  We have Superstore and Safeway.  We have Thrifty’s and Walmart and then we have lots of smaller food stores too.

With all these places to get food, why does our town need a Food Bank?

 

Thursday, December 10, 2009

This week our concert practices are in full swing!  By Monday, we’ll be all set for our dress rehearsal.

The gym will be completely decorated by Monday too.  Like the concert itself, the decorations are certainly a team effort. Almost every student in the school will contribute in some way to making artwork for the gym walls.  Some students are making panda bears, some are making kangaroos, and some are painting flags of the world!

One of the nicest things about the Alex Aitken Christmas Concert is that it gives the whole school a chance to work together.  Can you think of other ways in which our whole school community works together as a team?

 

Friday, December 12, 2009

Next week is our Christmas concert.  Probably your family and friends will be coming to watch you on stage.

One important thing about being on stage is to show the audience that you enjoy performing for them. What type of facial expression looks best during a performance?

See for yourself tonight at home…  First, look in a mirror with just an everyday expression.  Then, put on your best performance smile.  You’ll see a difference! Your smile will light up the stage!

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Have you noticed how shiny the floors of our school are since we came back after the Christmas holidays?  The hallways and Neighbourhood Center floors almost glisten!

Unfortunately the rainy weather we have right now is creating a lot of mud.  This is a bit of a winter nightmare for the two people who clean our school each night.

Sometimes it’s the tiny things in life that make a big difference overall.  What tiny thing could YOU do each day that would make the cleaning of our school floors easier for our custodians?

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Tomorrow the first Alex Aitken classes will be going to the arena to skate.  That means that tomorrow morning they will need to arrive at school, prepared with equipment for going out on the ice.  Even students who are renting skates will need things from home – a helmet to protect their heads, gloves for their hands and clothing to keep warm.

Skaters, what will you need to organize tonight so that you will be ready for tomorrow?

Friday, January 8, 2010

Have  you ever heard of a very famous Greek thinker named Aristotle?  Even though Aristotle lived more than 2000 years ago, we know a lot about his ideas because he wrote them down.  Even today, people take time to read and think about the wise ideas of Aristotle.

Here is one of Aristotle’s great thoughts about friendship.  See if you can figure out what he wanted to tell people about being a good friend:

“Wishing to be friends is quick work––but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit.”

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Today we would like to acknowledge leadership of our grade six students.

You might remember that at the assembly Mr. C__ explained that for a while now the adults in the school have been concerned about behaviour on the swings.  Sometimes it was Level B.  The teachers were beginning to wonder if they would need to step in and take control.

Instead the grade six students showed maturity.  They asked to solve the problem for themselves.  Here’s what they did.  They came up with a very fair plan for sharing our crowded school playground.  They organized days for every grade to have the swings and the blacktop area.  Not only that––they offered to organize exciting games for the primary students.

Our grade six students are incredible leaders!  What level is it when people act to solve their own problems and then take the initiative to make life better for others too?

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Lately the teachers have noticed quite a few kids are upset about forts.  It seems that sometimes when a fort has been built, the builders come back at recess and find that their fort has been kicked apart, or that all their building materials have been taken away to build a different fort.

Do you remember how grade sixes came up with a solution to the swing problem?

Maybe fort builders can come up with their own solution too.

Here’s a question:  How can fort builders get along out on the playground?

Friday, 15, 2010

Today we have an acknowledgement from Mrs. T__.  Last week Mrs. T__’s kindergarten class had their turn to go skating.  They were lucky enough to go with two wonderful buddy classes who were extremely helpful and supportive of the younger children.   Mrs. T__ felt it was the very best skating trip field trip she has ever been on!

From start to finish all three classes were well behaved and went out of their way to be pleasant to each other.  Here are some things that caught her eye:

She appreciated the way kids were patient and focused during shoe change times.

She noticed that the older buddies often stopped on the ice to assist beginning skaters.

She was impressed that good skaters took extra care to stay out of the way of those who were just learning.

She also noticed that both older classes did not have their regular teacher with them that day.  There were substitute teachers with both grade 3 and 6.

What level is it when people choose to be kind and self-disciplined?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Sometimes in winter we can have very strong windstorms––wind strong enough to break branches and knock down trees.  Power lines can even topple over.

Everyone should know that when power lines fall to the ground they are still LIVE.

This means that electricity is still running through the wires until BC Hydro crews turn it off.

Here’s a very important question:  What does a smart person do if they see power lines hanging down or lying on the ground?

 

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

On Monday at the Assembly, Mrs. M__ asked for the help of all the intermediate students.  She explained that a large number of recorders have gone missing from the bin in her room that she calls the “loaner bin.”  She thinks that with all the excitement of the Christmas Concert in December, people may have accidentally walked away with recorders that belong to the school.

Mrs. M__ suggested several places that people might look in hopes of finding a lost recorder.  Counting on your fingers, how many places can you think to look today?

At the moment, Mrs. M__ has only 2 recorders in the loaner bin.  Let’s see how many recorders the grade 4’s, 5’s and 6’s can find in the next few days!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Good manners are important for getting along well with other people.

What mealtime manners do you appreciate from those sitting near you at eating times?

Friday, January 22, 2010

Every Monday morning we have a school Assembly.  Once in a while you might be late coming to school.  You might have to enter the gym after the Assembly has already started.

Do you know the proper way to enter the Assembly when you are late?

What special expectations are there about entering when the whole school is singing O Canada?

 

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Just for a moment, lean over and look inside your desk. VERY BIG PAUSE

What did you notice?  Was your desk organized?… or was it a jumble of papers and belongings?

Most people find it easier to do a good job of learning when their desk is tidy.  Is there anything you need to do today to feel well organized tomorrow?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Now that the Primary Games have begun in the gym, there’s a lot of excitement in the school.  Not only do the players have a lot of fun doing the gym activities organized by the grade sixes, but the kids who come to watch are enjoying the action too!  It’s fun for everyone!

We all know what it means to be a good sport when you are playing a game.

But do you know how people show good sportsmanship when they are watching a game?

 

Thursday, January 28, 2010

These days at Alex Aitken we have a lot of choices inside the school at lunch time.  Usually the library is open, the computer lab and now there are also sports games in the gym.

Since our noon hour supervisors are outside at lunch time––and not in the hallways––students are expected to choose just one activity and then stay there for the whole lunch time.  That means:

- staying in the library if that is your choice, or;

- staying in the gym if that is your choice, or;

- staying in the computer lab if that is your choice––for the entire 40 minutes of lunch time.

Why is it very important that you think carefully about your lunchtime choice before you go to one of the inside activities?

Friday, January 29, 2010

Today marks five months that we have been in school this year.  That means that you are more than half way through the grade you are now in.  If you are in Grade 2, it means that you are more than half way to being in Grade 3.  If you are in Grade 6, you are five months away from heading to middle school.

Think for a moment about the quality of your own printing or handwriting.  Does the schoolwork you do get better looking with each passing month?

What could you do today to make your printing or handwriting look as if you are on your way to the next grade?

 

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Do you ever notice that sometimes there are people who stand alone at noon or recess time?

Imagine, if that were you.  What would you be feeling like?

Now imagine something different.  This time, picture yourself standing alone and someone comes up to invite you to play.  How would that make you feel?

Thanks for thinking about this and for making our school a friendly place for every single student!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

On Monday morning at our assembly, we began the week in a fun way!  All the classes, from grade 2 to grade 6, joined together to do some folk dancing.

For the teachers and younger students who were watching, it was a wonderful experience!  First of all, we were amazed at the dancing skills we saw.  Even though the dance was complicated and involved changing partners, it went off without a hitch!

Secondly, anyone who was watching noticed how easily people found dance partners. No one felt left out; everyone was welcomed.

Isn’t it nice to be at a school where people treat each other with kindness!

 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Have you ever heard of “random acts of kindness?”  A random act of kindness is when you surprise someone by quietly doing something nice for them.  We all have the power to make someone else feel good just by saying something kind or by doing something kind.

Here is a challenge:  Can you do a random act of kindness today for someone in our school?  BIG PAUSE

Just imagine how nice it would be if 266 kind things happened at Alex Aitken today!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Maybe you remember that a “random act of kindness” is when you decide to surprise someone.  You quietly choose to do something nice for another person.

Yesterday we were thinking about doing some “random acts of kindness” around Alex Aitken School.

Think in your head:  Did you find a quiet way to be kind to someone?

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

One thing that Mrs. M__ teaches in Music classes is how to stand in good singing position.

When we sing “O Canada” in the gym at assembly times, we should use a good singing position.

What does this position look like?

Thursday, Feb 9, 2010

Tonight, there is a special activity happening at our school.

Well, of course, it’s the Alex Aitken Family Dance that happens just once a year!  Everyone who comes tonight will likely be excited. There will be special food and drink and some silly dances too, like the Chicken Dance or maybe the Limbo!

Although the Family Dance is a lot of fun, sometimes people can get carried away.  Please think… What is the appropriate way to act when you are at a school dance?

Wednesday, February 16, 2010

Recently we were treated to a very special event.  Due to the tremendous efforts of Mrs. V__ and the students of Div. 5, we were able to enjoy a very different type of theatre performance. People in Duncan don’t often get to see a shadow puppet play.

The high quality of Div. 5’s puppet show demonstrates what can be accomplished when people choose to put in a lot of effort on a project.  Division 4 must feel extremely proud of the work they did.

How might you show Mrs. V__ and her class that you appreciated their shadow puppetry?

Thursday, February 17, 2010

Right around this time of year, the primary classes are celebrating 100 Days in school.

100 days is a lot of time for learning!

What is the most important thing you have learned in the first hundred days of school this year?

Friday, February 24, 2010

Today we’re going to be thinking about the 9-1-1 telephone number.  Everyone knows that we only dial 9-1-1 for serious emergencies like when we need help from the police, fire department or ambulance.

But did you know that you can also phone 9-1-1 if you are lost?

In fact, if you get lost, you can make a 9-1-1 phone call from a pay phone and you don’t need any money to do it.  9-1-1 calls are so important that they are free from any pay phone.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Right at the end of the day, the area just outside our school gates becomes a very dangerous place!

The road is extremely narrow.  There are cars and trucks coming and going.  There are parked vehicles squished against the bushes and there are no sidewalks at all.  To top it off, a huge school bus has to pass through.  The teachers and parents are very worried that someone who isn’t careful will get hurt.

Knowing that our school road has dangers, what kinds of things can you do to keep yourself safe?

Friday, February 26, 2010

Today we have a chance to learn a new word.  The word is quagmire.  Do you know what a quagmire is?

A quagmire is a muddy, muddy messy area!

There are many quagmires on our school playground these days—out on the field, near the Kindergarten room and along the primary fence area.

Long ago Mr. Clark suggested that responsible people would carry something in their backpacks to deal with quagmires.  Do you remember what that was?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Yesterday at the Assembly, Mrs. C__ showed us slides of her trip to Africa.  We enjoyed looking at photos of lions, elephants, zebras and one very lovable giraffe!

Mrs. C__ also reminded us of a project that we completed before Christmas.  That’s when Alex Aitken families donated money to help homeless children in Kenya go to school.  Some of our money bought them school uniforms and some went to playthings like skipping ropes and soccer balls.

Yesterday we saw pictures that showed how much the Kenyan children enjoyed our gifts.  We saw their happy faces as they proudly wore their new clothes and as they played games with our toys.

How do you feel inside when you know that you have helped to make someone happy?

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Tonight and tomorrow night every student in the school has the opportunity for an interview with their teacher and parents.  Everyone will be talking about how well the students in our school are learning.

What’s one thing that you can personally celebrate about your learning in this past term?

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Every week one division in our school takes responsibility for picking up any litter that might have been left on our school grounds.  So far, every class has taken at least one  turn and our school yard looks great!

When we keep our school grounds looking tidy and clean, what message are we sending to people who use our school yard in the evenings and on the weekends?

 

Friday, March 5, 2010

Do you know that smart people know a lot of words?  If you want to become smarter, one thing that you can do is learn more words!

Here’s a big word that’s connected to Spring Break.  The word is “rejuvenate.”  The “re” part of the word means “to do something again.”  The middle part of the word, “juve” means young.  When you put the parts of the word together, “rejuvenate” means: “to make young again.” In other words, rejuvenate means to feel refreshed!

That’s what’s Spring Break is all about… having a break and feeling refreshed when you come back to school so that you can continue to learn well!

What will you do this Spring Break to rejuvenate yourself?