We had a fantastic start to the 2014-2015 school year! We are only a few weeks in, but we are already a solid classroom community. This picture is from our "Web of Uniqueness." This is an activity I do every year. You start by reading a story where the main character is trying to fit in by becoming someone they're not. A few examples of this are, Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun, and A Bad Case of Stripes. After you have read and discussed the book, you can talk with your class about how important it is to be unique and stay true to yourself. Finally, you take a ball of yarn and share something that is unique about yourself. You hold on to the end of it and throw it to one of your students. Each student shares something that they think is unique about themselves, holds on to a section of the yarn, and throws it to the next classmate. After every student has had a chance to share, you can talk to the class about how even though we all shared something unique, we are all connected as a classroom. The kids absolutely love doing this activity each year!
Dani, I love that you start the year out with such a positive activity! I teach high school, and we do something similar with a writing activity in my Creative Writing class. However, I think that even high school students would love the string addition! Great idea! :)
Dani, This is such a neat idea. I also do something similar. I I have the students stand in a circle and then one student shares something they feel is unique about them. If someone also has that same uniqueness they step forward in the middle of the cirlce. It is a great way to ge to know one another. Thanks for sharing. Ashley
Dani,
ReplyDeleteI love that you start the year out with such a positive activity! I teach high school, and we do something similar with a writing activity in my Creative Writing class. However, I think that even high school students would love the string addition! Great idea! :)
Jodi
Great Fun for the first week. I like how you tie it to a book. I haven't read "Spaghetti On a Hot Dog Bun" I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteMary Jo
Dani,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a neat idea. I also do something similar. I I have the students stand in a circle and then one student shares something they feel is unique about them. If someone also has that same uniqueness they step forward in the middle of the cirlce. It is a great way to ge to know one another. Thanks for sharing.
Ashley