Day Two! 8/15/2017

Less talk about supplies and more time spent learning about each other!!

Gaming in class? Aka CLASSCRAFT
We did spend the morning discussing Classcraft. We are going to use Classcraft to both help offer parents feedback on how each student's day is going and also to have some fun. As a parent I appreciate how it allows you to limited hand out amounts of gold-coins at your discretion regarding homework @ home, studying @home and general overall effort towards learning while @ home. I am unsure if you can "take away" gold coins as a teacher can. We will find out together. Look for your parent invite in the next few days. In the meantime, ask your son or daughter to share what they learned about Classcraft today.
https://www.classcraft.com/#modal-iste-2017
https://help.classcraft.com/hc/en-us/articles/217901858-Inviting-parents-to-Classcraft


Getting to know each other time.....
We did the classic "Find someone who did ???? over the summer".  Then as an entire class, we shared out some of the similarities. Also, we began guessing who replied in what way to the day one survey titled, "This is me."  Students were then asked to answer six questions about themselves, and then we had a snowball fight!! I was attacked by 26 students all trying to bring me down with binder paper snowballs.

The Pyramid of Success
I value character, and I try to use the early part of the year to get to know each other and also make a point to discuss, write and reflect upon character issues. I use the book "Inch and Miles..The Journey to Success" written by the late John Wooden. Ask your son or daughter about 1. What is a success? 2. What is the pyramid of success? And then have them describe the four character attributes that we read about and discussed today: hard work, enthusiasm, friendship, and loyalty.

Get your head on straight
For the last year and a half, I have been using meditation in my class as a way to improve learning, specifically right after we return from our morning recess time. Numerous studies and many schools have found great success in teaching students basic breathing exercises, practice with focusing and learning to cut out the ever present stimuli in their life. We use the popular app/website called www.mindspace.com  The lessons are 100% secular, there are no references to religion, and there is absolutely no use of idols.   Much of the beginning lessons focus on observing our breathing patterns and challenging ourselves to turn our attention to how slowing our breathing and lasering our focus calms the body.  If you are skeptical, please feel sign up at www.mindspace.com. Both the website and the app will give you a free two-week trial and try the foundation lessons that we are doing at school. Also, feel free to discuss this with me if you have questions, suggestions or concerns.
Articles that discuss meditation:
The Atlantic Article
Slate's Article
Forbe's Article

I sent home a PG Movie permission slip; please consider signing it and returning it. Sometimes, especially on a Friday, we will watch part of a fun movie after lunch. The permission slip allows me to play most Pixar films and other kid particular movies.

Some people were having a challenge finding my Facebook page, so here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/mrhubbardsclassdotcom/
I like to post parent related articles there, and people are welcome to join or start a conversation regarding the articles.

I also need about ten more families to complete the survey:

Kind regards,
Mr. Hubbard