Believing in Our Students

My building decided to end our 2015 year with a celebration of the learning that has taken place.  But I think this would also be a great way to start the 2016 year!
We call it:
Believe Week.

Each day has a theme:
I believe in my dreams
I believe I'm a reader
I believe I'm a mathematician
I believe I'm a writer

Our ultimate goal for the week is for students to participate in activities that help them really SEE the learners that they have become throughout the year thus far.  There is so much to celebrate.

We kicked off the week with "I believe in my dreams."  And the book Someday by Eileen Spinelli was a perfect way to start the day.

What better way to celebrate than to bring in professionals to talk about potential careers for our young learners!

With an escort, each student followed one of the 20 paths that I created.  They got to visit with three different professionals.  There was such electricity in the building!  Kindergartens, first graders, and second graders all mixed up learning together about jobs that interest them.  It was so amazing to see all of our students so engaged, asking questions, and excited about the possibilities.

The event was wrapped up by the students writing down what they would like to "reach" for as their career.

The rest of the week focused on our students as readers, writers, and mathematicians.  We encouraged Spirit Wear for each of those days (and of course we dressed up too!)

The books that we dressed up as were added to the Readbox for students to check out!  Each book has a note from the teacher inside that dedicates the book.  The kids were beyond excited!!  Books were being requested :)

These outfits caused quite a bit of excitement for all K-2 students.  It caused a bit of confusion for some adults when I showed up at an impromptu meeting at our administration building.  Oops :)

After our first graders told Jess what characteristics I possess, she wrote them on my shirt.  Then each student got their own brown bag vest.  Students wrote characteristics on the vests.

Letting our students know that we believe in them as learners is valuable and important.  Taking time to celebrate the accomplishments made and the dreams to reach for is meaningful to our little ones but also to the adults that work with them.

Believe Week Re-Cap

 A few weeks ago I wrote about the 2nd annual Believe Week that we hosted the week before winter vacation.  This is what we decided to plan:

 It was a fun way to celebrate our students and they had a great time.

On Monday, students celebrated their "star power."  They dressed up like super heroes.  Here is math teammate...love her!

The students discussed a strength that they possess.  They wrote their "power" on a star and we created a tree.  It is beautiful!

On Tuesday, students focused on being a mathematician.  They wore clothing with numbers and if they didn't have some...they made it!  So cute!

Our firsties even voted on the skill in which they shine the brightest:

Wednesday theme: I believe I am a reader was quite a success!  Students were asked to dress as their favorite character.  Here is my team:

THEN....there was a snowball fight in each classroom.  When students opened their snowball they found a number.

Then they were off to pick a book from the box with that corresponding number.  Each kid in the building got to go home with a book.

 I believe I am a writer was our Thursday theme.  Kids were to wear clothes with words.  I made this shirt for the day:

The second grade teachers all came to school dressed in black.  Immediately I thought, "Where are the words??"  But they had a plan and it was amazing!  When I peeked into their room, I saw this:

 The kids were using descriptive words to describe each of the teachers.  Those words were being stuck all over them.  LOVE IT!!

Friday was "we believe you are a star" day.  Each grade level had a different idea of what they wanted to do.

Second grade studied Polar Express.  The kids got to dress like they were "under the stars."

 First grade studied Fancy Nancy and shared their writing pieces at a "fancy tea party."  They dressed up and walked the red carpet like stars this year!

 Kindergarten got to dress up as "star elves."  There were some awfully cute ones!

 It was a fun week!  And I already have some ideas for our third annual Believe Week next year!