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Week 2: September 4-7, 2018

I hope that you and your family are enjoying a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

Staff book study for the 2018-19 school year is GROWTH MINDSET COACH. It is a month by month guide that helps us shift our teacher  and student thinking to a GROWTH mindset approach to learning.  Teachers know that the actions they take (body language, word choice) show our students what we expect of their learning.  Sometimes the words we use give children the impression that their ability to learn is fixed or pre-determined.  This happens when we make statements like:  “You’re so smart! or “You’re a math genius”  or “Spelling comes easily to you.”  These statements imply that some kids are born smart, genius like and/or that learning comes easily.  This reinforces a FIXED MINDSET.

Many of us were raised in these messages, so we must intentionally shift toward a GROWTH MINDSET approach to teaching and learning.  By doing this, our word choice reflects the philosophy that our brains are always growing and as a result, with lots of practice and support, every child and adult is a learner.  To help you understand this approach, I encourage you to visit MINDSET WORKS parent tips page.   It is FILLED with helpful information about this approach.

Each month, we’ll introduce a new GROWTH MINDSET PHRASE to our students and expand their beliefs about their own ability to learn through practice, mistakes, failures and more practice.  This months phrase is above — Everyone Can Learn. 

This week, we will continue to focus on welcoming all the children by building routines and relationships.  We know that Tuesday could be a little tricky for some of our kindergarteners (and maybe a few Gr 1-5 kids) after four days at home.  We’re resting up to provide extra TLC to help them out!

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

Mrs. Reagan

 

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