Goal Setting, Learner Profile, and the Brain!

This morning, we talked about note taking and how to do it effectively. This is a skill students need to do their independent research. We practiced this skill by taking notes during student presentations about the systems articles we read yesterday. As each group presented about the article they read, other students who had not read the article took notes on important ideas and vocabulary. Words students should be able to explain to you include: diagnosis, symptoms, injuries, infections, and conditions.

As one of the systems was the nervous system, students practiced being neurologists by doing diagnostic tests on a partner. This included tests of reflexes, balance and overall mental awareness. We did a brainstorm of the types of diseases these tests might help a neurologist diagnose. For homework they were asked to read the article Brain Parts and then to look for games or puzzles designed to test brain function.

This was our first day for Library Book Exchange. The librarian, Ms. Ho, explained the rules of the library and gave us a tour of the book collection. Students are allowed to check out 4 books. Each week they need to bring these books back with them to the library. If they want to renew them, they can do so, but she asks that they come back each week to renew in person. Everyone left with a variety of new reading material, whether chapter books, graphic novels, magazines, or non-fiction resources. There is an open book exchange after lunch each day from 1-1:20 PM in addition to our regular time on Tuesday from 10:05-10:25.

I also asked the students to make some S.M.A.R.T. goals for the coming year. I will be having one on one conferences with them about their goals, and I also look forward to meeting parents in person to discuss. They have brought home their goals sheet to be signed by you tonight. Smart goals are simple and specific, manageable, attainable, realistic and reasonable, and timely. Making goals is an area of learning, and we will work together on these as the year progresses. They also had to identify what part of the Learner Profile they would like to work on. To be an effective learner, one needs to be an inquirer, thinker, risk-taker, and communicator, and he or she also needs to be knowledgeable, balanced, principled, caring, and reflective. We defined each of these and they chose one to focus on for now.

Please remember Scholastic Orders due Friday and Terry Fox Money is being collected this week. Continue to work on Reading Around the World and finish the Body Systems packet by Friday. Have a good evening!