Mineral ChatterPix

We wrapped up our rocks and minerals unit with a fun project using ChatterPix.  Each partnership researched a different mineral from our field guide.  They decided what was most important about that mineral and then created a script in first person, as if the mineral was speaking.  Using ChatterPix, they took a photograph of their mineral, recorded their script, and decorated their mineral with digital stickers.  They were very excited to create these, and I was very excited to see them working together and researching minerals.  It was the perfect way to wrap up this science unit!

A few students wanted to research additional minerals and make more ChatterPix projects to add to their websites, so you might want to check out their science tabs in the coming weeks. I love seeing them so excited about learning! 

Together is Better

This week we focused on habit 6--Synergize.  We read books about characters working together to achieve goals.  We also came up with a chart about what helps us work together and what hurts us when we work together.  I was so impressed with what great ideas the students came up with for both sides of this chart.  We were all excited to see that the other habits we have learned appeared on our list of what helps us synergize.  It turns out we've been learning the skills to be a good team player all along!  We then put these skills to work on a fun team building/tower building challenge.  Each group was challenged with the task of creating a tower out of spaghetti noodles that could hold a marshmallow at the top.  They made a plan, built it, tested it, tweaked it, made a new plan, built it, tested it, and so on.  I was so impressed that while the groups were working together, I saw them keep a positive attitude (Be Proactive), listen to other group members' ideas (Seek First to Understand), make a plan for the tower (Begin with an End in Mind), stay focused on the task (Put First Things First) and compromise when they had different ideas (Think Win-Win).  This all came together and the groups worked together beautifully.

Next week we are going to focus on habit 7--Sharpen the Saw.  We will talk about how important it is to have balance in our lives.  As part of our work on this habit, we are going to create a class display of photographs of our class sharpening our saws, and I need your help.  Over this next week, look for a time when your child is doing something for this habit, snap a picture, and e-mail it to me.  I'll print it and add it to our class display.  Look at the poster below for more information about this habit.

 You could get a picture of your child eating a healthy snack or meal.  You might catch them getting exercise at soccer practice or playing in the backyard.  A picture could be sent of a family game night or your child practicing the piano.  The possibilities are endless!  Don't worry if you can't send a picture.  If we are missing any students, I will take a picture of them here at school practicing the habit so that each child can be part of our display.  This will be a fun habit to practice this week--I can't wait to see our display come together!