Kiker's Strength-Based Learning Cohort

This week we kicked off our study of our brain! Knowing the amygdala, hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are crucial in understanding how we learn and manage ourselves. We have a choice to either let our instinctual alarm piece (the amygdala) go off in situations and REACT (something very important when we are truly in danger or in need to perform) or to take a calming breath, evaluate that we are in safety, and let our thinking brain (prefrontal cortex) help us make good decisions and RESPOND. Our hippocampus then takes those experiences and assists us in processing that to the long term memory for future reference. If we are aware of the things our brain does, we don't have to be stressed, anxious, or upset over things that aren't really dangerous situations! We can turn on that PFC and use that thinking brain to show grit, resilience, optimism and good decision making. We won't be "flipping our lid" at the slightest discomfort or unexpected situation!...

...have had a fantastic week! In Project Block, we've learned about resilience, optimism, and working together! We had some activities which got us practicing right away! We know that developing these qualities in ourselves is creating a more integrated brain, which helps us work to our potential (and we had fun doing it!)! Using only paperclips, we were challenged to save Sam the gummy worm by placing a Lifesaver gummy around him! In social studies, we learned about various United States symbols, what they represent, and how and why some have changed over time. After some analyzation, we chose symbols that we feel are most important to include in our own symbol quilt! We also celebrated Constitution Day by breaking apart the Preamble to full understand what those important words really mean. We had some great discussion and a lot of fun putting together our Preamble Puzzles! In reading, we have explored fluent reading and selectin...

First off, thanks so much for coming to Back to School Night. We feel so lucky to have such involved, wonderful parents! We started our Mindfulness study this week, first focusing on a growth vs. a fixed mindset. A growth mindset believes that we have limitless potential in any area we choose...we are not "smart/not smart" or "athletic/not athletic," etc. Studies show that with a growth mindset, we are happier, we risk more, and we see the world as full of opportunity, rather than limiting. Our classroom motto is GROW! and we learned what the first letter stands for: GRIT. Ask them what it means! They may even give you a task with crayons to figure out. When children learn to stick with something, especially when it is challenging, they learn to feel the absolute sheer joy of finally succeeding. It's a more powerful sense of pride that builds confidence because they didn't give up, they persevered, and THEY DID IT. In reading, second grade focuse...

This week flew by! We've been focusing on getting into the groove of our regular schedule -- we've been rotating from block to block, managing our book boxes and notebooks, writing down our goals and events in our agenda. We are adding little by little to make sure the kids know what's expected and aren't overwhelmed by too much. They are all giving 100% and it's amazing to see how the whole thing happens! We've incorporated our Project Block into our schedule too -- time for us to do interdisciplinary work and apply our TEKS to thematic and Project-Based Activities. We've been creating a section devoted to a "ABC Glee Book" -- an area for us to gather and document things that make us joyful. Research shows that having images/words that we can turn to helps us be more positive and lifts us up. It's been neat seeing the smiles on their faces as they sketch and talk to one another about each image they choose. In reading, we have started ...