Day 69: Simple ideas can lead to big changes.

"Honk If You Love Someone"

Photo from http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-09-02/lifestyle/35494321_1_happiness-positive-emotions-signs

I ran across this blog post by Jason Markey that describes how he is developing a vision for his school around the simple idea of being kind to others.  Markey says,

"Be Kind, Find Your Passion, and Commit to Excellence.  This is my new personal vision for education.  This is the sentence that I will share repeatedly with every one of our students and more importantly I will bring these thoughts to every conversation and decision I’m a part of."

I really like this video that Markey included.  It features the story of Massoud Adibpour who wanted to make a positive impact.  Adibpour got some folks together and put simple messages like "Honk if you love someone" and "Smile" on signs and stood alongside busy Washington, D.C. roads.  I love this idea of doing something simple to try and make a big impact.

There's been lots of research done to see what initiatives can make the biggest difference in schools, but it seems the best approach may look more like the vision of Jason Markey and Massoud Adibpour. Maybe the most influential initiative we can undertake is to show kindness every single day.  Simple things like saying hello to a student or smiling at them can make the biggest difference.  

Day 68: 3rd Grade QR Code Book Reviews

Scan and Review

Mrs. Bates' 3rd grade students just completed a project that involved book reviews and QR Codes.  QR stands for "quick response" code and can be read with most smart phones with a QR code reader app.

Take a look at some of the book reviews that are displayed out in the hallway at Hilliard Horizon.  You can scan the QR code with your smart phone if you are using another device to read this post.  

Enjoy!

  

Day 67: 3rd Grade Historians

Interactive Local History

Students in Ms. Watson's 3rd grade class created an interactive local history presentation as a way to share what they have learned about the changes Hilliard, Ohio have seen throughout history.

In the video, students share what they learned.  Listen to it as you explore the project made with Google Docs.

Local History Project from HZN165 on Vimeo.

Click on one of the images below to learn more about the topic during a specific time period.

Day 66: Student Goal-Setting

Students Set Goals In Order to Motivate Themselves

Most adults spend each day working towards accomplishing goals.  It could be a goal to run to the grocery for a few items, completing your taxes, or finding time to read.  Whatever it is, creating a goal to complete a task can be motivating.

One of the most effective ways to increase motivation with students is to have them set learning goals for themselves. Goals for students are slightly different than goals most adults set for themselves. Student goals are tasks students want to be able to do independently to help them accomplish something larger, like solve complex math problems or increase their ability to comprehend.

Recently, Mrs. Litterer, a reading intervention teacher at Hilliard Horizon, helped student reading groups set goals they would work towards in order to help them make progress with strengthening their comprehension.  These goals are very specific and within the reach of each student.  This helps students feel motivated to work a little harder while at the same time strengthening their ability to comprehend texts more effectively.

Take a look at some of the ways Mrs. Litterer and her students set goals and celebrate their achievements.

Student Learning Goals from HZN165 on Vimeo.

Day 65: What Adults Can Learn From Kids

"To show you care, you listen." -Adora Svitak

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3385/3196467127_4933825d4c_m.jpg

Each day at school, I get a reminder of why I wanted to be an educator.  Kids are amazing people with endlessly fascinating thoughts and ideas.  I feel that part of our job as teachers and parents is to give kids a chance to share their ideas and to help them find a way to creatively work out what's on their mind.

There are times, however, when we forget this notion that kids can teach us something different about an idea or concept we thought we knew so well.  I'd like to think that most of the time it's not totally our fault.  Our lives are busy, we have other things to get to, or we just don't have the time.  But is that really true every time your child comes up to you to share something they thought was interesting?  

How many times have we said, "Not right now" when our little one wanted to ask a question.  Yes, we do have that adult intuition of when a child is just seeking a little attention (usually when we are talking to another adult).  However, I know that I am guilty of sometimes saying "no" before I really thought about what a child might have to say.  

Check out this TED Talk by Adora Svitak.  I believe she is about 10 or 11 in this video.  What she has to say might help you pause for a second before saying "no" to your child and instead listen.

Day 64: The 2nd and 7 Foundation

Community Outreach

On Thursday, January 31st, student-athletes from The Ohio State University visited Horizon Elementary.  The athletes were there as volunteers for the 2nd and 7 Foundation's Reading Program.  

The 2nd and 7 Foundation's Reading Program seeks out students and communities where they can promote literacy and make the biggest impact.  Here's a little more about the foundation:

"The 2nd & 7 Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Three former Ohio State University football players, Luke Fickell, Ryan Miller and Mike Vrabel, started the foundation in 1999. Inspired by their involvement in various community outreach programs as student athletes, they decided to continue making a difference by promoting literacy and providing positive role models for children in central Ohio.

The foundation was born from funds generated by the first annual FUNdamental football camp. The camp generated enough money to buy books to hand out to seven different second grade classrooms. Using a down & distance term used in football, the foundation became known as The 2nd & 7 Foundation.

Ryan, Mike and Luke took the books to each of the seven different schools, read to the kids, talked about the importance of literacy, and handed each child a book to take home with them. Since 1999, The 2nd & 7 Foundation has continued to extend its reach and now involves student-athletes from The Ohio State University and other collegiate athletic programs around the country."

Student-athletes prepare to visit 2nd grade classrooms

Thanks to the folks at the 2nd and 7 Foundation for coming by Horizon to support the importance of reading!  You can find out more about the foundation and their "FUNdamentals Football Camp" at Hilliard Weaver Middle School by visiting http://www.secondandseven.com/.