The Value of Hard Work

Students have been reading non-fiction books about wild animals in preparation for writing a report.

Spring Conferences
Last Thursday (March 1st) I sent each of you a letter regarding Spring Conferences.  If you did not get your copy please let me know.

Smart vs. Hardworking
Lately in the classroom I have been hearing the students having a lot of conversations about who is smart, how smart they are, or how smart their parents told them they were.  While this isn't terrible, I really recommend putting the focus on hard work not innate ability or 'smartness'.  As a teacher I try to praise students not for their intelligence but for sustained concentration and extended effort.  My most successful students are the ones who tackle each assignment with 100% effort along with a sense of pride in one's work.  Similarly, in my personal life I have noticed the most successful friends I have are the ones who are willing to set goals for themselves and work tirelessly to achieve those goals.

There has been research about this, and the effect different types of praise have on students.  You can read an article about it here.  You can also watch a brief video here.

Non-Fiction Reports
This past week students chose a wild animal to write a non-fiction report about.  After making their choice they began reading books and online articles about that particular animal and taking notes on what they learned.  As they take their notes they are classifying the information into five main sections: Anatomy, Habitat and Range, Diet, Life Cycle, and Threats to Survival.  Once their notes are complete they will review them to find the most important concepts and then begin writing their reports.  Ask your student what animal they chose, you might even take them to the public library for some additional reading.

Curriculum Overview

Literacy - Reading about--and taking notes on--a wild animal, in preparation for writing a non-fiction report.

Math - Place Value to 1,000, Coins and Money

Writing - Taking notes on a wild animal in preparation for writing a non-fiction report.

Language Conventions and Word Study - contractions

Science - Basic Physics - Understand concepts around balance and motion.

Students have been reading non-fiction books about wild animals in preparation for writing a report.

As students read they also take notes on the different facts they learn about their chosen animal.