A project to "Choose Kind"

It all started with my desire to encourage my honors students to begin becoming leaders within our school.  Most of these students, by the time they end their seventh grade year, will be inducted into NJHS and take one significant leadership roles within our school community.  However, not many of them really get to take on leadership opportunities outside of classroom projects.  (Yes this was a "classroom project" but not in the sense that there was a rubric and a grade and   all of that fun stuff that goes along with classroom projects.)  

Our project required quite a lot from my sixth graders.  This is how we went about it.


Choosing the project 

I set them up about a week before we actually voted on and began working on our project.  I told them to start thinking of ways that we could spread the idea of "choose kind" to the rest of the school.  When the time came, we started in 6 equal-ish groups.  Each group came up with three to four ideas for our project, discussing some major details of what it might look like, but not spending too much time fleshing it out just yet.  Then they narrowed it down to one-two that they really liked and made sure everyone understood the idea.

I gave each person in the group a number.  Then I had all the ones from each group come together, all the 2's, 3's, 4's, etc.  In these new groups they shared the two best ideas with their peers, explaining as needed.  Then the groups chose one--their best one out of all.

We put the finals for each group up on the board, even combining a few ideas to narrow it down to three or four different ideas.  Then they voted. The winning idea was to create a choose kind pledge drive, during which students could wear blue, sign the poster, and get a sticker that said they pledged to choose kind.

Figuring out the details

I had the students figure out the details.  We listed everything that needed to be complete. The only I added was that they needed to get permission (if they want to see change, they have to know who to ask to help them and how to do this).

They made a list, kept by three different people so we could make sure it all got done, formed committees, and signed up for the committees.

Working

I met with each committee to see what they needed from me and also to see where guidance was needed.  For example, my committee for the proposal, needed some guidance on how to word their request to administration and what types of information to include in that request.  ALso, my sign up committee wanted to ask students to arrive at school by 7:00 am to get set up.  I had to remind them that our first busses don't arrive until a little after 7:25 and also that I can't get to school that early due to child care.  We adjusted it to having them arrive at 7:15 to set up and then the next group arriving at 7:45 to continue helping.

Students had a "due date" and made sure they had posters, announcements, and stickers made and printed.

Students took their proposal to our vice principal for approval.

They monitored themselves, for the most part.  My biggest issue was that they were so excited that they got a little loud now and then in their eagerness.

Results

My students learns more about being positive leaders than they necessarily learned about reading skills or literary terms.  However, I think it's a positive experience that they all learned from and it gave them a chance to try on their leadership hats for the first time.  It's preparing them bigger and better leadership roles over their next few years at our school.

We reached a lot of students and had quite a few people wearing blue that day.  As a teacher, I was more than proud of them all.  I was inspired by their commitment and belief in kindness.  

Wonder--The impact and change shown by students' behaviors

Last semester I taught Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  This is the third year that I've taught this book and I've written about it a few times before on my blog.  If you're looking for an engaging book that allows students to really connect with characters and teaches empathy and compassion and kindness, then this is a great read!  It can be used as a read aloud, but I teach it.  If you're looking for books that are focused on common core, you can definitely apply Common Core Standards to this. At the beginning of the year, my students learn how to do a close read with this book.  We study selections of this in detail, and it's set up in short chapters that are sometimes just a page long--lending to easy close reads.

One of the most interesting aspects of Wonder is that it's told from different points of view.  This is amazing for my students because they make assumptions about characters, choose sides, and make decisions based on their gut reactions, only realize that maybe they should stop and consider the other side of the story.  In our discussions we don't excuse the actions of the bullies.  We acknowledge the actions of the characters as being mean, awful, and terrible.  The hard part is getting them to see past those actions to the underlying causes and if those underlying causes are enough to make that character a bad person.  Will they always be a bad person?  Also can you be forgiven?  We focus a lot on point of view and perspective as we read the story.

In addition, I really hone in on the "Choose Kind" idea.  If you haven't googled it, do so.  There is a whole campaign out there and it's amazing what students and schools have done in embracing the story and the idea that they have a choice in how the world will be.  This year I had my Honors class create their own Choose Kind campaign.  They chose and planned the entire project.  They wrote the the proposal, spoke with administration, made school-wide announcements, and encouraged our school community to think about others and choose kind.  This was their project and they owned it!  

Now, at the end of each class, I dismiss my students by saying "Choose Kind and make good choices."  It's a reminder of our obligation to one another and ourselves.  I use it to address behavior now, by asking students if they are choosing kind and when they stop to think and they say no, they've actually stopped to consider their behavior instead of me telling them that it was a bad choice. 

I love this book and I'm so happy that I am able to teach it.  I'll be posting some different projects and ideas that we used this year for you to see how I approached teaching it this year.  Of course, next year I'm sure that approach will change as it has changed each year that I've taught it!

Getting organized with post its

So I am going back to school. My administration convinced me that I need to go into administration in the future. They are thinking near future, I'm thinking a little father on.  I'm definitely not done teaching!

Starting this journey is terrifying and leaves me feeling just slightly out of control. In order to combat that I've reorganized a few things, including my planning book.   

Here's what it looked before.

Not terrible, I know, but in order to feel more inner calm I need to have things in my life look and feel neat. Plus my boxes were just a tad too small and I kept having to cut the post its to make it fit. Annoying. 

This is what I spent 30 minutes creating the other day. 

Just look how beautiful! I also took out those old conference boxes because I wasn't utilizing them very well. Instead I'll just write in the space as needed. 

The printing seemed a bit ridiculous at first, but I love how neat it is and it makes my happy. Happy=calm. Calm=less anxiety. 

It's actually very easy. I created a word document with boxes that fit my post its. I just put them on and slide it through the printer! 

Here are a few tips: 

1) Make sure that the sticky side is at the top so it goes through first. This is important so your post its don't lift up and jam your printer. 

2) Before you put your paper through, press it flat. Run your hand from the top to the bottom. This will help so the sides don't accidentally lift. 

I have free printable a of these going up on my TpT. Check it out! 

Teacher Pay Teacher Cyber Monday Sale

Check it out!!

Super Hero Day

I decided to dress as a made up character because I had no traditional super hero clothing. I am "Super Reader!" 

Here's the best picture I have right now. More coming when our art teacher forwards me the photos she took today! 

Spirit Week

It's Throwback Thursday at school today. Teachers got to wear the decade they were born in. Here's to side pony tails, blue eye shadow, tight rolled jeans, and jean jackets. 

My picture before school. 

I added a scrunchie later. 

I love these fun dress up days with middle schoolers. What fun spirit week days does your school have? 

Wonder

It is my third year teaching Wonder by R.J. Palacio to my students.  This year I am taking it a step further with my Honors class.

Currently I'm creating a plan to allow them to create their own school wide project to spread the idea of "Choose Kind."

I'm terrified to tell you the truth.  THEY will come up with the idea, plan it, and implement it.  SOUNDS TERRIFYING!!!!!!  I keep telling myself that this is my Honors class, what can go wrong?  But it's stepping back and letting them take control.  They need it, but I am a control freak and this is a bit much.

I am going to embrace it and hope to document my success and failures over the next few weeks.

First, we will be making book trailers for Wonder and then we'll begin our journey.  AHHH!

Wish me luck and look forward to more excitement here to come!