Talking

Ms. Leom's class, like classes all over the entire school are meeting at least once a week to develop our bully-free school.

Last week, was a short week with the conference preparations, the Reading Rodeo Pepfest, and the rollerskating reward adding to the limited schedule, we didn't have our class meeting. During our last two class meetings, with the goal to discuss rule number four: "If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home," we never got to our bully-free portion of the meeting.

For the last two weeks, Ms. Leom's students have shared their frustration with the "talking" in class. When you listen, and on Tuesday March, 11, Ms. Leom listened for 21 minutes (then we started repeating ourselves), it isn't the talking in class that is the problem. It is the talking in line, waiting to enter the building for Recess. Which explains why this problem is so vivid in the last two weeks. Previously, in the month of February, the excessive cold temperatures had inside recess.

Many students in Ms. Leom's class are frustrated by the talking in line, waiting to go inside between Recess and Lunch. There are additional details ... talking students do not appreciate the "tone" of students trying to be helpful ... helpful students do not feel appreciated for their "help" ... sometimes the frustration results in jostling or pushing in line ... some students are frustrated and walk extra slowly to the line, making our class the last class to be let in many days ... some students "hide" within other lines so they can get in earlier ... There was a lot to say.

Talking in line wasn't a surprise to Ms. Leom. It is an on-going process DAILY when we change classes for math, when we go to Specials, when we visit the bathroom, when we return from lunch ... Ms. Leom has tried several strategies ... initials ... punches ... if someone is talking, put your finger to your lips kindly and if someone puts their finger to their lips as a signal, know they are respectfully letting you know they are trying to follow the rules ... rewards (M&Ms, pencils) ... she uses DOJO ... she developed a game, "Can Ms. Leom can get you to talk?" ... she has rearranged our lines ... she has had contests between the two lines ... It is tough work to get 25 ten year olds to walk quietly, respectfully, as other classes are learning. So talking in line wasn't a surprise.

Ms. Leom could even argue that "talking" isn't a bad thing. It is how we learn ... fourth graders are nine and ten year olds ... if they are listening in class, what is a little quiet talking in transitions ...

Yet, for this class of fourth graders, they have a strong sense of justice. There was an informal vote. Two students were absent. 20 of the 23 remaining, wanted SEVERE PUNISHMENTS (that was the term). Ms. Leom even had to take a break from the discussion, because "severe punishments" for talking sounds, well, severe. Ms. Leom talked to other other fourth grade teachers. She ate her lunch. She thought about it. It is obviously important to the class, because we have spent nearly an hour discussing "talking in line", and "severe punishments" was voted on ... So she decided to follow through on what the students wanted.

For this week, we'll try their suggestion. No warnings.
Talking once = 1 punch on their Responsibility Cards
Talking twice = 2 punches on their Responsibility Cards
Talking a third time = Stop and Think 10
Talking a fourth time = Discipline Referral.
There was mention of the "police officer" ... and possibly lasting all week ... (Seriously, these fourth graders mean business! So much for Ms. Leom's many efforts of rewarding students on track ...). Each day will be a new day, starting over.

The first afternoon, Tuesday March 11, was most shocking for the most vocal, the students who suggested the strict new consequences were rather surprised when their talking ended with punches on their responsibility cards ... and the students who are usually talking were rather quiet as they watched with surprise that the system that made them nervous (and they didn't vote on) included everyone.

I'm not sure where we are headed ... This is a fantastic class of students, and I am enjoying our school year together! This week, I am taking some time to listen and learn from my students, and I am sure we will be talking more soon ...

Take a Peek!

If you find yourself in our elementary school, take a moment to take a peek at our fourth grade writing! We've been busy! Students wrote and published autobiographies. Mr. Greninger's students created Midwest State Graphic Projects, and Ms. Leom's students will begin their project in the coming weeks. Ms. Leom's Reading Flex groups also researched and wrote dinosaur reports. Consider downloading one of many free QR code scanner apps and using it to hear the various authors share their works with you!

Midwest State Graphics

MW Graphic Close Up

Mr. G's autobiographies

Ms. Leom's autobiographies

our dinosaur herd is in the school entrance

check out those QR codes

Reading Rodeo Pepfest

On Tuesday March 4, we had our Reading Rodeo Wrap Up Pepfest in the gym. It was an eventful gathering!

 The Rah-Rah Camp started out our pepfest with a cheer ...

 Sheriff (Principal) Voshell welcomed us ...

 Sheriff Voshell put "Deputy Meyer" in charge of the department with specific instructions ... "don't let the pigeon take the horse!"

 Who shows up? The pigeon and the duck!

 Then the band performed ... Mr. Voshell on the drums ... Mr. Anderson on guitar ... in the chorus: Mrs. Barry, Mrs. Hobert, Mrs. Hoehn, and Mrs. Hakes-Anderson lead the performance ... with some help from some sixth graders ...

 Mrs. Stupar, aka duck and Mrs. Vickers, aka pigeon ...

 One of our songs we sang ...

 Three of the third grade classes lead us in our elementary song, written by one of our third graders ...

 Mr. Meyer introduced a student who raised over $200 for Pennies for Patients ... and two our "hometown heroes", who benefited directly from the Pennies for Patients fundraiser ...

 Then the ice cream sundae work began ... Mr. Meyer and Mr. Voshell were good sports!

 Mr. Anderson, fifth grade teacher, lead the adventure and helped ...

LOVE the smile!

 There was whipped cream ...

 Then cherries on top!

 Mr. Meyer even had to try one!

 Then, Mr. Anderson wanted a "selfie" of the moment ...

 Say, "Cherries on Top!"

Congratulations to all of our readers!!

QR

Today was an exciting day in fourth grade. As blogged about earlier, we've been immersed in technology. Ms. Leom's core students are typing up their autobiographies. Her flex students are researching dinosaurs, and her Social Studies classes are researching and creating a Midwest State Project. Today was special, because our first two students in Flex Reading and Social Studies finished their basic portion of their project. It meant they were ready for the extension opportunity, creating QR codes!

This is a BIG deal, not only for these two students, but for the rest of the class. There are students who are most successful when they can SEE what is involved and what the final project is like, when they KNOW someone personally who has successfully completed the steps. It creates their mind map, sets an example of the expectation, and gives them an exact idea of what they need to do.

It is also the first time we have used the iPads, combined with a computer, to create this multi-dimensional project. We are creating the road map for technology at Milaca Elementary School!!

First students need to practice reading their final draft several times to develop their fluency. Next, students need to read their paragraph into the microphone. Students copy the link and paste it into a QR generator site, before printing their QR Code.

Meanwhile, this group of students is working on their final draft.

 Once printing the QR Code, it is applied to the final project.

 Before we are finished, we need to test the QR Code and make sure it works. Using an iPad with a QR reader, we scan the code.

 Meanwhile, another student has practiced, recorded, and is creating her QR Codes.

 Finally, we are able to check our QR Code and listen. (It works!)

 Meanwhile, more students are practicing their fluency.

In Social Studies, two students finished their Midwest State Graphic Project. The QR Code project continues.
 

 Success!

Ms. Leom's QR Code

Why do essentially the same QR Code process on two different projects?
We are using QR Codes on two different projects, because students learn best when they have opportunities to practice skills more than once. Students become more self assured (vocabulary word this week).

Why are students learning about QR Codes?
QR Codes are everywhere. They are on cereal boxes, toys, seed packets, in newspapers, magazines, and more. QR Codes are an optical label that contains information about the information attached. In the beginning, students recognize QR Codes. In the coming months, your fourth grader will notice them everywhere. If they use a QR scanner, they will have access to a variety of information. The potential ... limitless.

Where are the boys?
In both classes, they have been more social (interacting with friends) in the last two weeks, in a normal fourth grader tradition. There are many social girls as well! It was a fluke that the four students ready to start today were girls. Everyone is making healthy progress!

Download one of the many free QR Scanner APs. Keep an eye out for QR Codes when you come to conferences next week to learn more!

State

The Milaca Wrestling team is advancing the the State Tournament!! Today, we were invited to the school-wide pepfest to celebrate this exciting achievement!!

Mr. Greninger's class waiting for the festivities to begin

Mr. Greninger's class ready to begin!

 Our entire preschool through twelfth grades attended the pepfest. The band played. There were nearly 2000 people in our gyms!

 Mr. Westphal, our Activities Director welcomed us and introduced the coaches.

 Mr. Vedders, sixth grade teacher (also known as "Captain Olweus", our bully-free super hero) and co-wrestling coach with Mr. Hoeck, was on hand to introduce the team. Mr. Vedders talked about being part of our school and community and joining something. This group of student athletes joined wrestling without the promise or even idea of being a part of the state tournament. Along the way they developed friendships, made memories, experienced opportunities, and now are on their way to represent their school and community at the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament!!

 Four of our athletes made it to the State Tournament as individuals!

 There was a video of the highlights of the season with descriptions of the character traits of what it takes to be successful. I think the elementary students were most inspired by the music and the sing-a-long opportunity ...

 At the end, the wrestling team gather together and lead us in a school-wide cheer. "Fourth grade. Fourth grade. Fourth, fourth, fourth, fourth, fourth grade!" Each grade had their chance to stand and chant.

 At the end, we all stood up as the pep band played our school song.

Good luck Wolves!! We are so PROUD of you!! Congratulations on your GREAT accomplishment and wish you well!