Lessons on Kindness

This month's lessons will carry through with November's lessons on jealousy & envy. The upper grades have been exploring the beliefs that cause jealousy & envy:

1. That something someone else has or does makes me less special
2. That something someone else has or gets to do takes away from me

Students have been learning that these beliefs are things we can DECIDE to change.

Now we are examining news and magazine articles to identify events that demonstrate adult behaviors for negative and positive examples of how to behave.

The lower grades are learning about ways to express anger that are not harmful to themselves or others through the Snowman Game.

Ok, one more word about sleep...

Another study I found this month proved that missing one hour of sleep makes kids perform 2 YEARS behind grade level.

We have got to turn off the machines... they're not making us smarter! Get them to bed by 9.

Have a great weekend!

GO TO BED!!!

I'm still railing about sleep.  Look at the things we can blame on TOO LITTLE SLEEP:

-Obesity:  that's right.  Kids who get less than 8 hours have a 300% higher obesity rate.

-Memory problems: Deep sleep is what it takes to move "new knowledge" to the "storage" area of the brain so it can be recalled later.

Just getting ONE HOUR LESS nightly that what they should causes kids to perform at levels 2 years behind that of peers who get the full amount of sleep.  

GO TO BED!! NOW!!! Before it's too late!

Sleepy?

I'm on a kick about sleep.

This is a nation that doesn't know how to turn off the spigot of media... computer games, television, DVDs, Facebook, MySpace, Ipods, Iphones....  there's so much to see, listen, and do that we forget to take care of our brain.

Children are so vulnerable.  Yesterday in a 2nd grade classroom I did an informal survey on what time kids went to sleep the night before.  The answers ranged from 730 to midnight.  20% complained that loud music in or near their home kept them from falling asleep.

I hadn't thought about it for a long time... but that made me remember my dad playing the tv so loud I couldn't sleep.  He had hearing loss... and we had thin walls.  I remember begging him to turn it off so I could sleep.  

Studies have proven that for every  hour of sleep they lose, their grades slip at least a letter grade.  Their behavior gets worse.  Believe it or not, sleep-deprived kids actually get more hyper.  And it makes ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder)even worse.  

Elementary age children need at least 10 hours of sleep a night.  For most kids that means betime should be no later than 830.   Since children in chronic sleep shortages can't always tell that how they feel is related to sleep deprivation, rely on these easy ways to tell if your child (or you!) are sleep deprived:

*as soon as he or she is riding in a car for more that 10-15 minutes, they fall asleep.

*they fall asleep within 5 minutes of lying down

*they need an alarm clock or a person to physically wake them up in the morning.

That's right - when we're getting enough sleep, we actually wake up, on time, without help!

Want to read more?  Check out "Mrs. Stine's Favorite Links" on the right sidebar for great articles on children & sleep.

First Day Done

We're off to a smooth start the first day of school, with a minimum of tears...

Students are learning new procedures, refreshing on the rules, and getting started with the daily routines of listening, participating, and  learning.  

I think we'll all be tired tonight... I was ready for a nap by lunchtime!

Tomorrow I will meet classes for the first time this year.  I am looking forward to the Connect schedule change (4th grade goes first, then Kindergarten, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, then 5th).  Change keeps things interesting.  

We will begin with self-awareness activities in the upper grades.  I gave a lot of thought this summer to what our kids need.  I plan to guide our kids in focusing on their inner selves so they may think (and act) more reflectively.  Perhaps it will help them balance all the messages that bombard them about clothes, popularity, what's "cool", who's "in".  

The lower grades will be introduced to the self awareness theme in a lighter tone - beginning with fun stretching & relaxation moves, then a brief Power Point presentation to introduce them to the role of the school guidance counselor and character education.  We will finish with a fun "Questions" game where students will share briefly about themselves, and get a chance to do some humourous activities to lighten the mood.

Back to School Time

On the cool mornings the breeze is carrying hints of fall.  It's exciting!  The cooler air invites us all to come outside and run around... throw a football...  wear our jackets... but wait!  It's only August!

I'm getting ahead of myself.  Forgive me!  I am excited, though, to be starting my 5th year at East.  Check in with the blog regularly so you will know the latest happenings in Guidance.  

In the first few weeks in Guidance Connect activities will focus on students' personal goals. 3-5 students will be guided in the processes of self improvement and monitor their progress throughout the year.  K-2 students will learn to identify simple things they want to improve through fun action-based games.

Welcome back!  

Mrs. Stine

Retest Time

EOG Retesting is in progress.  The building is quiet...  the hum of the air conditioning is the only sound.  Kids move about the building in hushed lines.  

We wish all of the re-testers the best of luck.  Go slower!  Take your time.  Any job worth doing is worth doing well.  It trains your brain for the harder work that comes in the next grade level.

Fun Day was a glorious success.  The inflatables, brought to us by the graciousness of Caroline & Hayden Brown's parents were a huge hit, not to mention just plain great to see!  The kids were VERY worn out after all the jumping, running, tugging, and teamwork challenges.  

Just a few more days, now, and the end will be here.  

Good News Bad News

How did the EOGS go?

For some students the news is good; for others, the news of retesting is very disappointing.   

Parents, if your child is feeling down in the dumps from testing information, you can encourage them in a number of ways:

1-  give them one-on-one time with YOU

2- encourage them to spend time outside

3- make sure they know that you love them no matter what their score is

It can be a shock to get unhappy news.  Is the test getting harder?  Yes.  Why?  The world is getting complicated.  What the workplace wants is not what they wanted years ago.  Time was bosses wanted employees that followed orders and did specific tasks.  Now employees have to have skills to create and communicate to others using all kinds of technology and equipment. So schools have responded by asking kids to learn more... and earlier than ever before.

Please please please make sure they get ENOUGH SLEEP.  Elementary students still need at least 10 hours of sleep a night.  The next two weeks there is a lot to review, and then to retest.  

It's Almost Here!

Today I went to pick up the EOG tests.. The time is nearly upon us.

Thanks to all the parents, retired teachers, tutors, and other friends of East Albemarle who have volunteered their time to help proctor.  There's a lot of moving parts to this testing machine and you are very important to its smooth operation!

Best of luck to all,

Mrs Stine

What are we doing in Guidance Connect?

Here is a preview of upcoming lessons in Guidance Connect:

May 6 through May 13th:

Grades K-2: Conflict Resolution Ring Toss Game: Students will compete to get rings on the ring toss and earn point by giving correct answers to questions on how to resolve common problems. Lessons learned: Good sportsmanship, problem solving, hand-eye coordination, teamwork.

Grades 3-5: Stop the Choking Game: This is a very serious lesson about a little known (but very deadly) activity that has killed some children.  This power point/video lesson will inform children of the dangers and how to alert adults should they encounter this activity among friends.

Lessons learned: Safety, Peer Pressure, Addiction, Crisis intervention.

Here Comes the EOG!

Okay, so it's almost here... The EOG, that is!

Parents and students, we will be testing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (May 19th-21st).  All students in grades 3-5 will take the EOG.

On Wednesday, May 27th, all 5th grade students will take the Science EOG test.

***NEW THIS YEAR***

In the past, students who made a "high" 2 (called a 1SE or 2SE) may not have had to retake the EOG.  Starting this year all students who make a 2 will be required to take the test.  

Parent Volunteers Needed During EOGs

Parents:

If you are available during EOGs, we could use your help.  East will need volunteer Proctors (assist teachers that are administering the tests).

The EOGs will take place on May 19th, 20th, and 21st (Tue/Wed/Thu) from approximately 815am to 1115 am.  

Please contact me by email (maria_stine@scs.k12.nc.us) or at school 704-982-5113 if you are interested.

Parents will not be assigned to rooms where their children, or close relatives will be testing.

We hope you can help!

E...O....G.....

What do you think these letters should stand for?   End Of Grade?   Everyone Over Graded?  

While tests can't measure all kinds of "smarts", here's a few facts:

We will take tests all our life.   

Sometimes we will know about them, and we can prepare.

Sometimes they sneak up on us when we least expect it.

No matter what kind of test it is, it will ALWAYS show something about your abilities.  

What are YOUR abilities?

Math?  

Science?  

Caring for Others?  

Being Kind?  

Reading?

Yes, you need CHARACTER to make all the other learning "stick"!   Students who are good at treating others with respect will find that it "rubs off" on their learning, too.

Try It!!

I would love to read your comments about this post... 

AND... 

what you think "EOG" should REALLY stand for!

Sincerely,  Mrs. Stine