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"Hands up, FREEZE!"
Since the use of computers and digital techonology is ever increasing, all students should have, at minimum, basic typing skills. Throughout the week the older students meet with Mrs. Szynskie for typing lessons that focus on using the correct finger-key positions. Mastering the home row is a complex technique that also includes proper posture, curved fingers, and thumbs resting over the space bar. To keep our hands,minds, and bodies focused we use the "Hands up, FREEZE" strategy to give our fingers a break and to have some extra fun with silly songs/movements. These lessons were hugely successful for our students last school and we plan for great progress this year, too!
Typing Lessons
Working Hard
Classroom Habits
Students earn stickers for bringing in completed and signed homework. When students fill up their sticker charts they can choose an individual reward. They may pick a prize out of the prize box, play with PlayDough, use our race car game, or ride a special bike! During math lessons students who show great listening and complete their roles as activity leaders get to add their initials to a whole class chart. When the chart is filled up the class gets to decide how they would like to be rewarded: a movie, a treat, a game day, or a special art project. The staff will tell students to "make a jump" on the poster outside our classroom when they are caught being kind or showing best manners; when they make five jumps they can earn a cookie. We have seen lots of hard work this school year!
Cursive Practice
Handwriting Without Tears
While younger students continue to work on their printing skills using the Handwriting Without Tears program, the older students are now being taught cursive using a program from the same creator. Students engage in cursive lessons by using the interactive SMARTBoard and practice "Wet-Dry-Try" by writing with chalk on lined slates. So far students seem to enjoy their daily handwriting activities and as a result we have seen neater penmanship.
Self-Regulation/Emotions
The Zones of Regulation
Students are involved in lessons and discussions about their emotions and the "zones" of regulation. We will teach strategies to help our students carry out desriable actions while thinking, monitoring, and controlling their behavior. Students will learn how to mangae sensory input from their environment so that they can process and respond in ways in which they are excpected to function. The foundation to manage one's own functioning starts with impules control, sustaining attention, planning, problem sovling and self-talk.
Visit the following links to view engaging vidoes about feelings and self-regulation: