Kiker's Strength-Based Learning Cohort

This week, we've been keenly aware of how often discussion occurs in our daily routine! Our first week of Cliff Notes focused on the question: Describe a discussion in class today. What is something you learned from listening to a classmate's contribution? How did it push you to think? This reflection has us zeroing in on our thinking, both individually and as a community. A ten penny challenge energized our focused brain during FIT time on Thursday. We learned that our brains also have a diffuse mode too. We found that we can ping pong between the two to really absorb new information and find creative solutions to all kinds of problems. Ask them what diffuse mode activity they're thinking about employing when they need to take a break from focused mode! In reading and ELA (with social studies integration), we've read several types of text about the same topic. We've discovered that the different genres are just as important as different versions/perspectives. W...

In the SBLC, we know that learning comes in part from reflecting on meaningful experiences. In preparation for upcoming fall conferences, we've carved out time for self-reflection in several key areas. Each student considered his or her strengths in ELA and math/science, then created a goal in an area of growth. Students also reflected on their social-emotional learning strengths and goals, carefully considering which areas they were already demonstrating independence. This was big work and students are already using this new awareness to grow in areas like active engagement. We're also bringing reflection home next week, so students will have their first week of written reflective homework. A reflection prompt will come home on Monday and be due on Friday morning, so please ask your child about this new responsibility - they'll be proud to describe their preparation process at school.  SBLC mathematicians reviewed multiples and skip-counting this week. With lots of...

On Monday, we spent a little time in a mini-lab making a Glitter Jar! This special tool helps us understand what it looks like when we get all "shaken up" inside. As the glitter settles, we related it to our process in becoming calm. We talked about the time it takes to settle, and how even watching the jar do it can help us with the process too! We suggested taking breaths, wiggling our toes, finger folding, and light arm and shoulder squeezes to ourselves as strategies to "settle our glitter." The kids really wanted the directions, so if you'd like this tool...see below! We got all our supplies easily at Michaels, including a plastic jar rather than glass. Glitter Jar Instructions In math, we compared pathways for a price comparison problem. Each group presented a poster with their solution and strategies, both visually and numerically represented. Our community of mathematicians listened with polite skepticism, asking questions to deepen their understandi...

We know that Austin has seen an unusual amount of rainfall this past few weeks -- we've had some crazy dismissals and dashes to Special areas -- and our plants are LOVING IT! We enjoyed seeing so many of you at Back to School Night and giving you some "whys" behind all we do as a community each day in the SBLC! Last Saturday, both teachers had the opportunity to hear Justice Sotomayor in Austin. She's written a new children's book about her life thus far. Two of our SBLC family members had a chance to go as well! We explored her memoir this week and looked at how her metaphors for books guided our imagery and understanding of her life. We also began a nonfiction text, Her Right Foot , which focuses on a portion of the Statue of Liberty that most don't ever consider -- her feet. We are curious to understand why she has broken chains surrounding them! More to come about that as we finish the book next week. In ELA our focus continued on capitalizi...

Our community of learners has been busy on this short week! In this third week, we've been polishing routines and setting a few more organizational pieces into place. We've begun Flexible Instructional Time (FIT), which is a school-wide time of day for each classroom to work in small groups, differentiate, and have various programming through the school. We are enjoying the variety of opportunities during this time. SBLC scientists have been hard at work! We reviewed safety expectations for experiments and investigations, then enjoyed observing liquids in motion. Scientists observed 3 different liquids at two different temperatures. We communicated our observations in pictures and words, then shared claims about why one liquid stayed on top and why warmer water dissolved food coloring faster. Students had many different theories and evidence from their observations to justify their reasoning. We've decided to further explore density and molecular motion in the weeks to ...

Days 5-10 of our Mountain Climber activities challenged us! We've learned more about each other and ourselves  with new ways to collaborate, contribute, and connect. Ask your kids about charades, riddles, and even agility ladders! We've also reflected on our values as as SBLC students this week and created an art piece. Each of our unique traits are represented on our hands, and our values are written above with the reminder that we are truly a community of learners. Here's a pic of our work, now hanging outside of our classroom doors: In ELA and reading, we have been adjusting to routines!     We've learned our spelling centers, which will be in action in the next few weeks. Each group (there are 4 in each block!) has a different list (designed to fit the needs of the group), so our centers/tests will fall on different days. Your child will have each week's list handwritten in their agendas if you would like them to study throughout the week. Know that t...

We had a fabulous first week full of new friendships and collaboration. We know the kids have come home with many stories, but here are some visuals for you to enjoy! Have a wonderful, restful weekend. We have asked the kiddos to share their Climbing Guide with you. Carving time to spend talking about their work together in class will be so important to building the connection between school and home. Please sign somewhere on the last entry as well as their agenda for Friday. The Kiker administration team has asked that all visitors to the Kiker campus are prepared to always show a driver's license as you check in through the office.  Thanks for remembering this! We are so excited for the weeks to come! Jen and Jewellyn