First Day of SAGE 2011-12

Hi all,

Here's a quick update of our first day activities.  Each grade did a variation of the following 3 activities.

1.  Knotty Rope Challenge or the "Graberizer" Challenge.  (Ask your child about how these challenges can help them learn about facing other group challenges they get in school.)

 

  

The Graberizer and the Knotty Rope Challenges Causing These Team Fits!

 2.)  SAGE computer survey. 

3.)  Posters about SAGE.

• 3rd Grade - How does a classroom that is a "Safe Place to Make Mistakes" and a "Safe Place to Take Risks" look and sound?
• 4th Grade - Which of the 7 Habits does SAGE most involve for SAGE students? How does SAGE involve that Habit.
• 5th Grade - The same as 3rd grade PLUS "what does a classroom look like that has 'Respectful Teaching.'"  Here's the quote they worked from: 

"All tasks should respect each learner . . . Every student should be required to think at a high level and should findhis or her work interesting and powerful."  Carol Ann Tomlinson

4th Graders Looked at How The 7 Habits for Happy Kids Might Relate To SAGE



Next Week We Start SAGE!

It's finally time to say Hello! to one another as we begin our first round of SAGE classes at each school.  I'm "itching" to get going with each group -- new faces, new grades, and a few new ideas and lessons at each grade level. 

We'll begin the year with some fun collaborative problem solving activities at each grade, some setting up of our classroom expectations and group norms, an online survey* of each student, and we'll look ahead to what's in store for us as we embark on another year of SAGE. 

Here's a link to the 4th grade brainteaser we'll tackle together that first day.  Let me know what you think.  Can you figure out the MYSTERY of how Robin knows the gift you've chosen?

In future updates, I'll give you general information about the work we're doing in each class, as well as information relative to the program, and even some opportunities that are available for you parents. 

Let's get a move-on and get things started!

Ron Ciraulo


* Information recorded on each student's individual survey is sent directly to me, and is not viewable by anyone except myself and your child.  The overall results are also automatically assembled into a format that I can easily share with students in pie charts and bar graphs to discuss why we have the SAGE program.