Reflections on Success

4th grade thinking and behavior has come a long way.
              They were beaming after our field trip to the Community Health and Wellness Fair and wanted to talk about it all. So, I had planned about 10 minutes, but the wave of appreciations and understanding lasted over an hour as so many students acknowledged each other, noticed conversations, and realized that what they were doing was learning together and really fun!

These thoughts above and below were shared at tables first and then they read them. These are a few, there are more I will upload.
 My thought was a short sharing before math, but these positive thoughts brought forth more. It was really great to hear how much they shared.
At the K-5 assembly a bit before, the matrix for our school's philosophy-- called the Way of the LIONS, brought to light so much for them too.

 When kids grow in such amazing ways and they realize how it feels, their academic effort and results dramatically improve. They become more vested because they can see the 'Why'.

Community Health and Wellness Fair 2016-- conversations and lots of swag!

These two were right at it by asking this man to explain what he does for the community. Clipboards in hand to document conversations and learn from all the people. 

Each student got clarification about why each person did their job in the health field or what they found 

The kids learned the definitions of lots of words like Mental Health/Illness and Dementia, High Blood Pressure, Assisted Living, AED, Financial Planning...

CPR 

Companies provided information and books, food and a huge selection of health items for families.

City of Moscow had a bike survey these two answered and learned from.

Always good to talk to dental people-- and choose a colorful toothbrush!

 The kids are doing an expository report on one body system and realized because of this event how many people think about their health and are involved in the health profession.

Effort and Skill to make a Skeleton--- Cooperative Musical Chairs

 The Human Body has been a great thing to study because it full of systems. Ms. Mickey Chamberlain of Latah County Health Department has been a great co- teacher. She is our expert nurse and has helped the kids find their pulse, learn about the bones,  and understand the muscles. Besides memorizing the 32 main bones of the body, the kids had a project to construct a skeleton. They were only given 4'8'' of yarn and had to cut 4" segments to be the ligaments for the bones. They had to balance working on individual material with a due date. It was hard-- the urge to socialize is strong, but learning to get work done is a must. The level of the work must reflect quality too. The kids did a lot of discussion about what was important to show what reflected a high level skeleton.

Here is the rubric. They really have done a great job assessing their work. Plus the feedback they have given each other on how they self evaluated has been very honest and well stated. They have grown a lot in knowing that integrity in their work is important and is a true measurement of their learning.

Tying square knots was hard. We did practicing in Morning Meeting and at other times.

The fourth grade has come a long way in cooperation...this is a fun game and they love that they made it to one chair!! Everyone loves Morning Meeting Activities. Now the  Morning Meetings are led by 2 classmates on Tuesdays. They have been doing a great job and have really learned a lot of leadership skills.