The Gift of Words

I'd like to share about a new tradition I'm hoping to start in my class. This year, both of my language arts classes will be participating in our first ever Gift of Words. We discussed this as a class this today, and the learners received a paper copy of the instructions. (Hopefully some of you have seen them in Take Home Folders already!)

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this will turn out, and I will write another blog post about how it goes.

Speaking of gifts, I was treated to quite the Early Birthday Celebration this afternoon. As many of you know, the kids gave me thoughtful and homemade cards, complete with sweet messages. I also received a generous gift from the class - a gift card to J. Macklin's Grill. Best of all, I was surrounded by a large group hug from my precious 4C Students. I am beyond grateful.

I hope that you and your family have an enjoyable last week before the Holiday Break!

Cabeza's Cue's

We just did a Mind Mission named Cabeza's Cues. In this mission we had to come up with 8 different words or phrases & try to find a gesture or movement to explain what we're trying to say. So I am going to tell you about how my group did this!

Brainstorming:
We had 2 brainstorming things we had to do. I'm going to go in order. So the first brainstorming activity that we did was in general ways to greet people. So we got 5 minutes to brainstorm as many ways as we can with our group. After that we looked at our mission & then started working. We had to brainstorm 8 different words or phrases.

Acting:
After we brainstormed we started coming up with movements to explain what we were saying, so people who speak a different language can figure out what we're trying to say. After we came up with them, we practiced and gave everyone roles in each one. We also wrote down the words that go with the movement.

Experience:
I had a very fun experience & I thought this was a very unique and cool mission. I also wonder how well the other groups did, & how they got along. I had a very good time!


This guest blog post was originally written on December 3, 2015 by Nael R., a student in Miss Natherson's class. Nael is 10 years old, and this is his 2nd year at Town Center. In his spare time, Nael enjoys reading.

Our Gifts

Earlier this week, Mrs. Montgomery, our Librarian, invited us to help her decorate the tree in our library. She gave each learner a picture of a wrapped present, and she asked them to write on the present what gift (or gifts) they are giving the world.

In typical precious kiddo fashion, our 4C learners took this and ran with it. They came up with some really special ideas about what gifts they are sharing with the world.

We decided to make a quick video to share with each of you what gifts we believe we are sharing with the world. If you'd like, you may check out the video here.

I am thankful that each day I get to spend my time with such gifted young men and women.

Meet the Students of 4C!

Every year, I am overwhelmed by how incredible the kiddos in my class already seem, even in the first week of school. They are funny and witty and they make me laugh all day. They are outspoken and audacious and yet contemplative and quiet all the same. They are creative and intelligent and so gifted. They are always such a special bunch!

We took pictures on the first day of school, and I'd love to share those pictures with you. Feel free to click on this link to visit an album of all of the pictures. You can also save this collage if you'd like.

(I made this collage on picmonkey.com using their collage feature, and I made the image in the last frame using the app A Beautiful Mess.) 

I know that it is going to be such a wonderful year of learning and exploring, and I am already so thankful for two great weeks!