The Social-Emotional Side

This post has been knocking around in my head for a while now, so when our Valentines's Day Activity went so well on Friday, I knew that this was the perfect time to write about it all. I apologize in advance for the longest ever post.

I am a big believer in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). By big I mean huge. Gigantic. Really, I cannot overstate how much I love it. There is so much negativity and hatred in the world. Every day on the news there is another story of violence and intolerance. In our schools, I see hurt feelings, bullying, and just general meanness, not to mention the devastating school shootings that occur all too often (and even once is too often). There are ways to combat all of these terrible things; by teaching students to be kind, tolerant, accepting of others who are different than they are. Teaching them to show kindness and love to others. Some students may not be getting these lessons on empathy and love at home, so we have to try even harder to teach it at school.

Multicultural Week

This has been such a wonderful week at my school. It is multicultural week, where families come in to every classroom and share their cultural traditions (not just Christmas or Hanukkah). The week was kicked off with a wonderful Bollywood dance by a few of the moms, as well as the Fifth Graders sharing a song they wrote. Being in the area of Los Angeles we are, our school is so incredibly diverse. In my second grade alone, there are 20 different cultures represented- Israel, Palestine, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mozambique, Egypt, Canada, Honduras, Mexico, South Africa, Russia, Latvia, Iran, Brazil, Philippines, Laos and Lebanon.

Before Break Craziness

It is crazy to me how quickly the weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break go. As soon as we got back from the week we got off for Thanksgiving, we have three weeks to make holiday crafts and gifts, give assessments, and jam as much actual teaching as is humanly possible before the three weeks of winter break wipe out a good chunk of the learning they've done so far. 

Giving Thanks in Kindergarten

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday - it's all about family, friends, fun and food. I  love the traditions and I have so much to be thankful for. It has become more meaningful since Emi and I visited Plymoth Plantation about 10 years ago and found out more about the true history of Thanksgiving. What a great place! I love history.

Thanksgiving in First

Like I said, I start my student teaching in January, so for now I am spending my time getting some extra classroom experience by volunteering in a first grade and third grade classroom every day. Most of my classroom experience has been in the younger grades- kinder and first- so it is really interesting for me to work with the third graders and see all that they can do. The teacher for that class, Mrs. C, is AH-MAZING, truly one of the best teachers I have ever seen in action, and I will have to dedicate at least one post to all that I have learned there. My first grade class is adorable and taught by Ms. S, who I was shocked to learn is a first year teacher this year- I never would have guessed, as she is so effective and engaging!