Student Request: Boys Respond to Bullying Video

 

Kindness Boomerang Video

I showed this to the class last week for video Friday. I was critical of it because all of the diverse characters were playing homeless people or blue collar employees so I decided not to post it, but one of my students requested that it be put on the blog.

I previewed the video prior to showing it to the class and did notice how many stereotypes were shown, but made a decision that the message was still a good one so it was worth showing. Was it the right thing to do? That question is certainly up for debate. I think it was alright as long as I have a discussion with my students about the stereotypes that they saw and what message those stereotypes help to send and perpetuate discrimination. I also am going to ask my class to reflect and think about this question: if they were to recreate the video, what changes would they make and why? What do you think? Send your thoughts below.
 

Growth Mindset: Mistakes, Challenges and Failure Lead To Learning!

With the Final Exhibition beginning, I have been teaching some lessons on growth vs. fixed mindsets. Today we discussed how mistakes, challenges and failure make us feel and then examined why this is. The kids were then asked to think of these in a positive light. They came up with some great responses for when these are positive events. They loved watching this video and asked me to share it on the blog so that they could view it again.

Activities and Videos for Ancient Egypt

This week we are exploring Ancient Egypt and here are some resources for you to check out. Listed below are links to games and activities. Also, at the bottom, there is a website that includes many kid friendly videos all about Egypt.

Have fun checking them out!

Mummy Maker
Tomb of the Unknown Mummy
Escape From the Mummies Tomb
Many Ancient Egypt Activities
Explore Ancient Egypt
Timeline of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptian Gods
Egyptian Number System
Writing in Hieroglyphics

Videos About Ancient Egypt for Kids

 

Get Ready for School in 2015!

Happy New Year kids!!! Let's see what we can do with this when we get back to school. Miss you!
 

Season of Giving Thanks

In the spirit of American Thanksgiving last Thursday I showed this video and then we participated in a sharing circle with all of grade 5. Each student and teacher got to take time to tell the group what they were thankful for.

The spirit of giving thanks has continued in my class with notes and poems of thanks. Many of my students have found or written me poems to show their appreciation for the work I do as a teacher. They have brought me to tears. I wanted to show some of what I have been receiving.

I fully believe that for as much as we do for children, they do so much for us too. I truly love my job and my students and am thankful for both every day!

 

Peacemaker Videos

For our Peacemaker project, you looked at this website to choose a Peacemaker to study. Here are some videos that you can use to gain more information about Peacemakers around the world and throughout history.

Enjoy!

Mahatma Gandhi

Dorothy Day

Martin Luther King Jr. 

Dalai Lama

Mother Theresa

Cesar Chavez

Desmond Tutu

Albert Schweitzer

Thich Nhat Hanh

Aung San Suu Kyi

Nelson Mandela

Jody Williams

Rosa Parks

Ruby Bridges

Wangari Maathai

Anne Frank

Henry Dunant

Jane Addams

Joan Baez

Inspirational People: Inventors

This week we read about Garrett Morgan and George Washington Carver, two African American inventors. The students were amazed to learn about the hardships these men faced and the contributions they have made to society with their inventions.

Knowing it was Video Friday, I visited my old stand-by, Kid President. Low and behold... there was a video about becoming an inventor. It was so serendipitous (kids, look up the word and get back to me!)

Enjoy!

Kid President: How to Be an Inventor

Inspirational People Video: The Cochran Family

This is a wonderful video about kindness, compassion and love. Enjoy!

 

Inspirational People: Richard Turere

One of the teachers on my team found this video for our new unit on inspirational people for the PYP transdisciplinary theme Where We Are in Place and Time. It is a wonderful video about a child thinking of a way to solve a serious problem for his family, village and community around him.

After watching the video, the class made a web of all of the PYP Learner Profile and Attitudes that Richard exemplified and paired up to write and illustrate their thoughts. The kids did a great job on them.

 

Video Fridays!

This summer I began taking an internet course on using technology in education. I am love, love, loving it and enjoy being back in school myself. It is nice being a student again. 

The class has made me reevaluate how I use technology in the classroom. I use the smartboard and  document camera daily, and blog on a regular basis. I encourage students to use the computer to do research, practice skills, play educational games and communicate with others. Needless to say, I use technology, but how was I going to think of a fresh, new idea for incorporating more technology into the classroom? After scratching my head, I had an idea.

Two weeks ago, I watched an amazing video about an inspirational young girl and "Video Friday" was put into motion. The first "Video Friday" was such a hit, I just had to continue. While students eat their snacks, we get to watch one video and the theme is that it has to be inspiring and have a positive student message. Here are the past two videos, and here is the one for tomorrow. Let me know what you think!

P.S. Sesame Street is still not only cool at age 8, but age 34!