Today we had a great day! This was fabulous because yesterday was crazy. The kids had a great Halloween party, but I was so tired at the end of the day. Today my students worked really hard. We had some great discussions, and they worked independently when they needed to without causing too much disruption for others. I had someone tell me one time that teaching gifted students is easier because they are more motivated. This is not necessarily true. Gifted kids can be so creative and absolutely amaze you when they apply themselves. However, they also can be very emotional and sensitive. Often, they also are used to things being so easy for them, that once something is challenging they fight it with everything they have.
Anyway, I am just happy that it was a good day! In fact, I am thankful. This month I plan on doing a gratitude journal with my students. How do you bring up the subject of gratitude in your classroom? This weekend I am going to work on my gratitude journal and maybe some other ideas for gratitude in the classroom to share. I would love to have guest bloggers do some posts related to gratitude in their own lives or classrooms. Let me know if you are interested.
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Miss V's Busy Bees. I am thankful for her enthusiasm and great ideas.
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Hmm, I'm liking this idea of a gratitude journal. I'm going to think on this! Thank you.
ReplyDelete❀ Tammy
Forever in First
I have always had the students complete a gratitude journal. It's just a mini book with a 2 copy pages folded inside a piece of folded construction paper. How I set it up is separating it out into different categories in a list format on the separate pages. It seems not to be as overwhelming when I give the students a breakdown of the different areas of their lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for (on the cover): my family (who and why), friends (who and why), my school (what specifically and why), my house (what and why), my town (what and why), my country (what and why), and my world (what and why).
I also have them do an art project with a tree (just a stick) put in a small pot and paper leaves taped on with different things they are thankful for. It makes a nice little table decoration.
Then as a whole class I have the different thanksgiving colors on construction paper strips and we make a huge paper chain that goes around the classroom.
Can you tell that I love Thanksgiving? :)
Emily
I Love My Classroom
You've inspired me. I just posted about the gratitude journals that I recently started with my first graders because of this post. I linked to you. Thank you!
ReplyDelete❀ Tammy
Forever in First
Hi April -
ReplyDeleteI found your post from my friend Tammy. You have a trickling effect with these journals. I think a lot of people are thinking about doing them. A great month and great time to think about things we are grateful for...thanks for the idea!
Vicky
Traditions, Laughter and Happily Ever After