All Hands are Up! Way to Go!!!!!!

I am amazed at how much my students have grown and matured through this project.  I must say I am not hearing as many "mean and hateful" comments from the students!  I do not like for the students to say "shut up" in my class.  I am hearing the students say." Don't say that!" when they hear those words! So I do know some of the lessons have stuck with the students!  NCATE indicator 6 on Instructional Strategies was obtained by providing many opportunities for the students to problem-solve together, discover answers, and cooperate with each other as they worked in the cooperative leaning teams.  Small reading groups have been working so much smoother and the transitions have worked well.  I do think this objective has been achieved by the students learning how to help each other. NCATE indicator 7 on Communication was obtained through verbal and nonverbal communication as the students worked together in their teams, as they wrote the reflections on the hands and in their journals, and when I conferred with the students upon their helpfulness. 

NCATE indicator 10 on Professionalism was obtained as the students spoke kindly to each other (most of the time) as well as their teachers. Parents have expressed to me they are seeing a difference in the children at home, as they speak to the siblings and their parents.

NCATE indicator 2 on human development was addressed by teaching the students to practice self control and to be responsible for their actions. 

I am so proud of the strides the students have made and continue to make as they grow!

Links:

http://www.attitudemag.com/

http://home.att.net/~clnetwork/socialsk.htm

http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/cgi- 

It is all coming together

This week we began our final reflections concerning the "All Hands In Project!"  The students are expanding on their personal writing for their journal entries. I posted some photos of the hands and the journal entries earlier this week. NCATE Standard 1: Professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills... They develop meaningful learning experiences to facilitate learning for all students. They reflect on their practice and make necessary adjustments to enhance student learning. They know how students learn and how to make ideas accessible to them. They consider school, family, and community contexts in connecting concepts to students’ prior experience and applying the ideas to real-world issues.  As the class has worked through this project process I have encouraged them to accept the the gifts life gives you not matter how small or how great.  Also stated in Standard 1 of NCATE they know their students, families, and communities; use data and current research to inform their practices; use technology in their practices; and support student learning through their professional services. Many of my students are discussing the ways they have helped someone on their own.  It has become a "topic" of conversation among the students.  I am pleased to see they students eager to learn in greater detail what the meaning of helping someone can bring to you as an individual. 

websites to view:

http://www.attitudemag.com/

http://www.proteacher.com/cgi-bin/outsidesite.cgi?id=11691&external=http://home.att.net/~clnetwork/clfiles.htm&original=http://www.proteacher.com/020014.shtml&title=Cooperative%20Learning%20File%20Cabinet

http://questgarden.com/87/40/5/090926154315/index.htm

All Hands In Project Photos as promised

The photos depict students' reflections of the project.  I also photographed some journal entries, which relate to the project.  I am pleased with the reflections and the growth of my students as individuals.