As I sit here thinking back on this past week—our focus areas during class, memorable activities, special events—one word comes to the forefront of my mind: compliments. This year, Mrs. O'Keefe and I are being flexible with our use of time on half day Wednesdays. Each week we have a half day, we check in with each other the Monday or Tuesday beforehand. Since the time on half days is so limited, we discuss how we want to schedule the day, particularly when there are certain assignments or subjects one homeroom is further behind in than the other homeroom. That being said, we've been consistent in regards to allotting time for Second Step. I, personally, love Second Step, as I think social-emotional learning is so important. Having a common language when it comes to the ideas we've taught into (like empathy and "listening with attention") allows us to use this vocabulary in a variety contexts. Plus, it's always beneficial to talk about feelings and coping strategies, and I tend to get pretty invested in the lessons...Well this week, the focus of our Second Step lesson was compliments, which naturally got me even more excited. For the last five minutes or so of the half-hour lesson and discussion, we cautiously attempted an activity that required students to pass around paper and write compliments to each other. BUT they had to do it in complete silence. Almost 40 kids...in one room...writing one-sentence specific compliments about their classmates...then hand-delivering them to each other. We had ten pieces of paper going, creating chain-reactions of compliments. And guess what? You could've heard a pin drop in that classroom. The kids took it seriously, and what they wrote to each other was so kind. Five minutes ended up being way too short, so we'll definitely have to do a "part two" sometime soon. On Friday afternoon when I had Mrs. O'Keefe's homeroom, we engaged in a similar idea, which is a compliment chain as we sit in a circle on the rug. I do these a few times a year, and love hearing the nice things they say to each other! 

On Monday, we attended a performance in the cafeteria put on by the National Theatre for Children. This program travels to schools around the country and performs improv based on topics students are learning about in school. Our show was called The Energized Guys: Powered Up. Two performers came and taught the kids about energy, electricity, and energy conservation while incorporating ideas from audience members and even inviting a few lucky volunteers to take part in the skits. Check out the pictures of Seriyah on stage, as she was selected as one of those participants and did a great job representing us fourth graders.

Seriyah was also one of our Bucket Fillers of the week. Her start to the school year has been unparalleled when it comes to self-awareness and growth. At the beginning of the year, she set goals for herself based on past years and areas in which she felt like she could improve. Her maturation over the course of just two months has undoubtedly been a highlight of my school year so far. Will was also a Bucket Filler this past week. What a phenomenal kid. He is so darn likable, a genuinely kind classmate to all. Not only that, but Will has gone above and beyond when it comes to extra homework. He is constantly doing writings outside of school and bringing them in for me to read. I loooove when kids show me effort and enthusiasm, and Will is constantly doing that when it comes to writing. Nice job, Will!