In class we are working on becoming BIG THINKERS! We know that BIG THINKERS are curious people who ask a lot of questions! We have a class “questioning” bulletin board that is devoted to asking questions about particular pictures that I display. BIG THINKERS are also great OBSERVERS and question the world around them. BIG THINKERS are aware of the world outside of their home, street, neighborhood, and school.
We are also working on building our sense of EMPATHY. I remind my students everyday to try and see things from one another's perspective. Everyone has a story to tell and there is NO ROOM FOR JUDGEMENT in my classroom. I am encouraging my students to find positive, inspiring stories from around the world each month that peak our curiosity and help develop our sense of empathy for others around the world. THIS IS WHY I TEACH. |
high interest online resourcewww.newsela.com is an EXCELLENT nonfiction news source for finding interesting and inspiring articles. You will have to create a username and password to access and print articles. This site provides the option to increase or decrease the reading level or the article and also search by topic (science, kids, health, sports…etc). I highly recommend using this site.
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weekly Magazine"TIME For Kids is a weekly classroom news magazine that motivates kids to read! Issues cover a wide range of real-world topics kids love to learn-TFK".
I have a class subscription to the magazine. Be on the lookout in your child's homework folder. |
once a monthEach month students should print or clip an article that they find interesting or inspiring. All they have to do is read the article (parents may need to help with this), write their name on the top of the article, and bring it to school. The students will read the articles over in class, highlight the important details, write a brief summary and exercise their questioning during a monthly current event "museum walk". This is truly an eye opening activity each month. I am amazed and inspired along with the kids!
Parents! If you come across any interesting current event topics in your own reading, please feel free to share and read with your child and encourage them to bring it in to share with the class. Topics can include inspirational stories, people helping others, extreme weather events, changes in political power/people, the environment, animal stories, exciting sporting events, and (my favorite) new advances or discoveries in science! *Please monitor and be mindful of sending in any news that may be upsetting for the kids. **Articles can be brought in any day during the first week of each month. I will send out a reminder! |