When students enter 8th grade, they become the leaders of the school. They all know that it is their last year and they are the oldest, but they do not understand what being a leader of the school entails. The first two days of school, I like to do activities that reinforce the elements of teamwork and leadership.
This year students worked in groups of four or five to create the tallest tower using only 20 noodles, 1 yard of tape, and a marshmallow. The groups quickly found out that they needed to communicate and listen to each other before they could be successful. This translates into the classroom. They need to work together to help each other's learning, instead of hurting it.
As the oldest students, 8th grade is asked to help our younger friends when we go to mass on Wednesdays. At the beginning of the year, we go with our kindergarten friends and later our preschool friends. On Friday, the 8th grade met their kindergarten buddies during activity. Mrs. Sanchez read both classes First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. Then the classes paired up to make Jitter Juice!
Below are a few pictures from our first two days!
This year students worked in groups of four or five to create the tallest tower using only 20 noodles, 1 yard of tape, and a marshmallow. The groups quickly found out that they needed to communicate and listen to each other before they could be successful. This translates into the classroom. They need to work together to help each other's learning, instead of hurting it.
As the oldest students, 8th grade is asked to help our younger friends when we go to mass on Wednesdays. At the beginning of the year, we go with our kindergarten friends and later our preschool friends. On Friday, the 8th grade met their kindergarten buddies during activity. Mrs. Sanchez read both classes First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. Then the classes paired up to make Jitter Juice!
Below are a few pictures from our first two days!