Ohana means family

This week is a special week in Mrs. Shadowen's class.  We aren't doing a story from our reading book because it's a short week and we are not doing Phonics since we ahead of the rest of second grade.  Therefore....we are doing some special things.

I grouped the students in groups of 4, and assigned a "group leader".  We began with a discussion of what a good leader does, how they treat other group members, and what kind of words would we use if we needed to encourage our groups.  Then I asked "Who has seen Lilo and Stitch?  In that movie Lilo uses the words Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind."  After we got over the giggles and the "we aren't family" discussion and talked about how we were a classroom family I told them how the week was going to run.

We will have a new group leader every day and that leader is in charge of materials for their group for that day. We are to encourage our group, help them finish work if they need to and pass out and take up all materials for the day. Your group is your family and "Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind".  I saw some great attitudes and group participation today.

 We are doing an author study (Kevin Henkes) and activities with one of his books. Today we did a plot activity, a vocabulary activity and made amazing words posters.  The students earned stickers for working well together (all of them,) and  finishing their work (all of them).  I forgot my camera but hope to have pictures later of more things.

The students were FABULOUS.   They even helped each other at times they didn't need to.  They were so excited about stickers on their charts (and we haven't even decided on a reward yet) and they kept the floor clean too.  - and that is the biggest problem in my room..the messy floor.

What a great day.  I can't wait for the rest of the week.  Planning was crazy figuring out all to do but the day was one of the easiest this year just because they worked and I just facilitated their learning.

Have I mentioned I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!!!