Brain Breaks!!!!

One of the highlights of our day is definitely our Brain Breaks!  I am firm believer in the strong connection between movement and learning and it is so very important for these young students.  We race, dance, sing, and have a great time during these 5 to 7 minute exercise breaks.   After all that moving, we do a cool down that focuses on breathing and using positive imagery to help the students have a successful day.  After brain breaks the students are very calm, focused, and balanced and ready to work hard and learn some more.  I think I enjoy them as much as the kiddos!  Below is a video of the students showing off their moves.

Guest Speaker from Denmark

On Thursday, we had a special guest come and talk with us about Denmark.  He is a foreign exchange student so he had lots of exciting information to share with us and he even taught us some Danish words.  The kids were pretty pumped to here a song from the movie Frozen in Danish.   Check it out below!

Star Student

As part of a Student's Star Student week, they can bring in pictures to share with the classroom and decorate our Star Student Bulletin Board.  It is always so fun to see pictures when they are babies and see how much they have grown and changed in only 6 years. We use one of their pictures to help us come up with ideas for their Star Student Story.

Promethean Table

Last year Columbus purchased two Promethean Tables.  We rotate these around to the different classrooms.  They are like big iPADS except 4 students can play on them instead of one.  It is great because the students are learning reading, math, technology, and how to cooperate.  The students do a really nice job of working together!  These kids love technology. :)

Valentine's Day

Sorry for the late post!  Below are some pictures from our fun Valentine's Day!  It was a blast and thanks to all of you for helping your students with their boxes and providing treats. :)

Let the competition begin!

Getting wrapped!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Mummy!

Great teamwork!

Soooo….maaannnyyy….cuuupppcaaakkkes!

Students wrote their opinions on whether they prefer kisses with or without nuts!  They did an awesome job and I think we have some budding food critics in our class. :)

3 Billy Goats Gruff

Two weeks ago we went over to the high school for to see a performance by Opera Iowa.  The students got to see Three Billy Goats Gruff performed by actors and musicians.   The students absolutely loved it!

Waiting for the performance to begin

Valentine's Opinion Writing

We have been working diligently on our Opinion Writing Unit.  The students defended their opinions on whether they would rather be an owl or fish.  I was impressed with the students' reasoning.  We added a fun Valentine's spin on it by creating these creatures out of hearts.