In my last post I said that this week we'd talk about Tibet and Homework. Here it goes:
This is, to say the least, and amazing group of kids. Our transitions are becoming routine and lessons are going smoothly. The rules are upheld and at any given time I can look out and see my class behaving like model kindergartners...most of the time. :) One lesson I teach frequently is that we all make mistakes. Kindergartners make mistakes, teachers mistakes, and yes, even parents make mistakes from time to time. I also teach kids that our mistakes do not define us nor do they make us "bad" people. They are what they are: mistakes. That being said, kids need to learn, just like we ALL had to learn, that with mistakes come repercussions. In our class, most often, that repercussion is a chance to think or reflect on the mistake and how they can "fix" the damages caused by that mistake and move on with their lives. It's real, it's deep, and it's how we all move on from the mistakes we make in life.
In our classroom we have a reflection space: Tibet. It may seem like a strange thing to call the little black stool that serves as our reflection area, but I can assure you there's a good reason for it. When teaching kids about mistakes and how the only way we can fix our mistakes is by thinking of possible plans of repair and putting those plans into action, I pull out my globe and show the class the real location of Tibet. We discuss how Tibet is a small, isolated area on the Earth. An area not many people choose to visit because it is so small and isolated. We then discuss how Tibet is not unlike the small black stool in our classroom and just like the real Tibet, it's probably not a place where you'd want to spend a lot of your time. We also discuss that people who do choose to visit Tibet do so in order to think and to reflect (think Dali Lama and Tibetan Monks). And just like those people that need to take some extra time to think and reflect about their lives they too will visit Tibet (in our classroom) should they show me that they need some extra time to think and reflect about their behavior.
Tibet is NOT a punishment, it is truly a time for students to think about their actions and plan for fixing the problem their mistake(s) may have created. Every student will always have a verbal warning to fix a mistake before Tibet is even an option. However, if mistakes are continuing, that student is showing me that they need some time to think and reflect about what they are doing and where they want to spend their time at school before being an active member of our group. Many students will visit Tibet and return to the group within 1-2 minutes. I always try to talk with kids about their plans for fixing their mistakes before they return to the group and I wish them good luck on fixing their mistakes. Please keep in mind that whenever a student is in Tibet they do forgo the activity that the class is participating in while they are going from the group, whether it be for learning labs, classroom instruction, games, songs, or even snack, etc. It is our classroom belief that taking responsibility for our mistakes outweighs fun activities, even though they may be a bummer to miss.
Some kids will visit Tibet occasionally and there are some that may NEVER visit Tibet. If your child visits Tibet please do not scold them for it. Their short visit was not because they were bad, it's simply because they made a mistake...and we all make those from time to time. Please use your child's visit to Tibet to discuss their plans for problem solving the effects of their mistake. Ensure them that you believe in them and that you know that they won't make that mistake again but if they do you will be there to help them through it.
I hope this clarifies what Tibet is and I hope you weren't too confused before when your child told you they had to sit in Tibet. If you still have any questions of if your child is visiting Tibet and you want to know why, please let me know. If I don't write it down in your child's folder, it doesn't mean they didn't go to Tibet, it just means that we've taken care of the problem at school. However, please feel free to ask your child if they've visited Tibet during the school day, I always encourage my students to honestly respond to their parents when they answer this question. :)
Homework
Homework is one of those things I struggle with. As a teacher I know that homework can be a good way to inform parents about what we're learning in school, provide extra practice for students, and develop a child's skill set for a particular topic/objective. As a parent I know that homework can be a confuser, stress inducer, and destroyer of family time. I will send homework home daily but I want you to know my intent which is:
- To give your child extra practice.
- To provide your child a chance to teach you how to do what they've learned in school and to help you start conversations with your child about what the are learning.
- To help your child grow as a learner.
Each week your child will get a new R&R on the first day of the week. They will also get a concepts of print book or two throughout the week to do their R&R with. Kids can choose from ANY Of the books they've brought home to complete this homework. They will read the book to you each night of the week and you will fill out the R&R according the homework schedule below. Reading nightly for 20 minutes is show to drastically improve a child's ability to read and it is essential in creating lifelong readers.
While we are learning our letter sounds (now though October) your child will be getting a letter writing sheet on the day we learn that letter in school. They are to complete the front, where they practice writing the letter, and the back, where they color or circle the pictures that start with the focus sounds. These sheets are (preferably) due the next day. The only way kids can get better at writing is to practice. That's my intent with these worksheets. They hopefully won't take more than 5-7 minutes for you child to complete. If they are extremely difficult and a stress inducer, let me know!
For math, we will send home a review sheet each week. This does not have to be done the night that it comes home. This math sheet will ALWAYS come home on a Monday (when we have full weeks) and will always be due on a Thursday. We will probably NOT send home math homework when we have short weeks. Again, this is a review sheet so your child should be able to do this without help and it is intended as extra practice. If this proves not to be the case, please let me know and I can help you out. :)
Below is the schedule you can expect for homework each week:
Monday: R&R: Read and sign for Day 1and do question 1 on the back. Math homework sent home.
Tuesday: R&R: Read and sign for Day 2and do question 2 on the back.
Wednesday: Read and sign for Day 3 and do question 3 on the back.
Thursday: Read and sign for Day 4 and do question 4 on the back. Math homework due.
Friday: NO Homework! Enjoy your time together as a family! However, if you'd like to do Day 5 of the R&R and practice reading over the weekend, I won't stop you. :)
**Remember, letter homework will be sent home as we learn each sound.
Please let me know if homework becomes a problem. The last thing I want is for homework to drive a wedge between school and your time as a family. Family is the most important thing.
I hope you've found this blog post helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions, my door is always open, my phone is always on, and my email is checked very frequently. :)
As always, than you for sharing your children with me and thank you for your unwavering support in your child's education. I truly have the best job in the world. Have a wonderful week.
Yours in Education,
Mr. Scruggs
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