Media Tech Begins!!!

The wonderful Mr. Shaun came in on Monday for the first media tech class of the year. He brought a fun icebreaker activity using QR codes. Students loved it and I hope to use QR codes more this year in my teaching. Any ideas for ways you have used QR codes in your classroom?

 

All Hands In

As part of the new school year routines, we created our Essential Agreements, or in other words, classroom rules. I have to say that this group is really expert in doing this... yea previous PYP teachers! Our 5 classroom rules are: Follow the Golden Rule, Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Have Fun! I really love the first and last ones and it is amazing that the kids came up with these themselves.

After we had our rules, we created outlines of our hands and designed them to represent us. The instruction was to use drawings, patterns and images so that other people could infer information about you. It was a really fun lesson and it made a beautiful bulletin board.
 

Team Building Cups Activity

Friday we spent some time outside with a team building activity that I found here at the Science Gal blog. To my surprise the kids figured out the trick rather quick but then used their time to perfect their teamwork and fine motor skills to get the cups moving.

I have never seen a group work so well and cooperate so nicely in all my years teaching. The students were encouraging each other with positive words and were very patient with tumbles.

After all of the groups were successful, I had them create their own challenges to try and they were all creative and took risks with their challenges. Some of the groups attempted cup manipulation beyond what was possible for the windy day, but with positivity and perseverance even those groups succeeded. Not with the cup stacking, but with the team building.

First Day of School

Yesterday was a wonderful first day of school. The students are knowledgeable, caring, thoughtful, eager to learn and positive. I am lucky to teach Grade 5 to this bunch! Most of the day was focused on getting to know each other and learning class routines. At the end of the day we performed skits to teach the school how to behave for our First Day Assembly. All in all, it was a dream day!