At the K-3 Campus, we are beginning lessons on "Show a Positive Attitude." This has always been one of my favorite "Guidelines For Success." And it couldn't have come at a better time. While February has its busy moments, it is also one of those months that can be so dreary. While we haven't seen much snow (no complaints here!), the days have been more gray and damp. During this month, we also begin preparations for the season of lent. Spring is not here and Easter seems so far away. So keeping a positive attitude can definitely help during these days. I have changed up the books a little this year. Kindergarten will be watching a video of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. My favorite line form this children's book is "No matter what you step in, just keep walking along and singing your song!" (Pete steps in many things like mud and strawberries.) Ask your kindergartner to sing the song for you. It really is kind of catchy. First grade will be reading Pig Don't Fly. This is book is about a little pig who wants to own a bike. Everyone tells him that cows don't ride bikes. His famous reply: "Not yet they don't!" He figures out a way to get his bike, much to the amazement of all the "nay-sayers." Second grade has a brand new book, Chris P. Bacon: My Life So Far. This is about an adorable pig whose back legs don't quite work right. His veterinarian/owner develops a cart for Chris (yes, that really is his name-true story) so that he can get around using his front legs. I can't wait to share this one with the students. It is a very positive and uplifting story. My third graders will read The Most Magnificent Thing. This is a story about a little girl who has an idea about designing something. She tries many, many different designs before figuring out just the right design. She pulls all the "good things" out of her many mistakes and adds them all together to get the perfect design. This lesson is so important to the students because they need to know how to stay positive in the face of a challenge or failure. Defeat happens when they don't take on the challenge or back away from a failure. Growth happens when they can overcome a challenge or failure. I think too many times kids don't want to take on a challenge or something they are not quite sure about because they don't want to fail. The STEM projects are an awesome example of how to take on that sticky problem. By working together and learning from failed attempts, the students find hard earned, worthwhile success. I like to show the kids the following video clip from Meet the Robinsons, called "You Failed!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtRadR4zYM It's a really good source of inspiration.
The students at the 4-6 Campus are covering a lot! Fourth grade will focus on "Imitate Christ in All Things." We will be reading The Quilt Maker's Gift. This book is about a greedy king who wants everything, including a quilt made by the special quilt maker. She only gives quilts to the needy, which he certainly is not. Only after he gives away all of his possessions, does he understand the beauty of giving and receives a quilt of his own. The fifth grade will continue on to the final book in the Weird series, titled Tough. They seem to be relating to these books and enjoying their message. I have challenged all of them to look at people for what is in their heart and not what they do, play, wear, etc. Their eyes have been opened by who exactly determines which kids are "popular." I am quick to let them know that the staff does not sit around in faculty meetings creating this list, but it is they who determines who is on the list. We talk about how to change the list and not refer to it at all. The sixth grade will continue career guidance in the classroom. We are looking at colleges and careers from many viewpoints, and I hope it is piquing their curiosity and planting some really good seeds. Ask your child about their KHEAAs account. I hope that they can show you around the website. If your child is experiencing any trouble getting signed into their account at home, please let me know. About 99% of the time it is due to typing in a user id or password incorrectly. However, sometimes I do have to reset the account, which is something only I can do at this point in their journey.
As always, please feel free to contact me if I can help in any situation. The best way to reach me is through email: kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org I usually check my email quite frequently, throughout the school day. I am at the K-3 Campus in the mornings - (270)684-7583 and the 4-6 Campus in the afternoons - (270) 683-6989.
Have a blessed February!
