Ramona Recommends

Hi Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Yes, I get the WHOLE WHOLE WHOLE week off! Which means I can do some creating and blogging. I am thrilled! A few months ago, I shared a picture of my RAK bulletin board ideas. A few people requested that I go into more detail on my blog.

One of my goals as a classroom teacher is to create respectful 5th graders. I want my students to feel loved and excited when they walk into Room 20. My classroom theme this year is from the country song, Compass- "So let your heart sweetheart, be your compass when you are lost, you should follow it where you go".

What are some ways I have been "teaching" my classroom theme and goals?

Classroom Read Alouds

-Wonder by R.J. Palacio
-The Julian Chapter by R.J. Palacio
-Pay It Forward Catherine Ryan Hyde
-365 Days of Wonder by R.J. Palacio (We will start this in January)
-Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy

R.A.K Project

I started my RAK Project playing this video by Bombshel. It was VERY powerful! My students were totally moved by the video and even clapped at the end. #ilovemy5thgraders.

Each student signed a "Kindness Never Stops Traveling" pledge card.

For homework, each student went home and brainstormed different Random Acts of Kindness they have seen in their community. I had the students do this with their families. I was blown away by the responses the students returned the following day. Sorry! I have no pictures of the completed Graffiti Walls.The kids keep this page behind their binder and can add it to when they see new RAKs.

I created a RAK center by the Social Studies wall. The students must complete at least one RAK a week. They may share a RAK they saw or demonstrated or they may write a friendly letter to someone in the class or staff member. At first, I let them write to their friends, but now they must write to different people. Every Friday, I pass them back to the students in the class or deliver to the teachers.

My favorite RAKs thus far,

"Dear Student C,

Thank you for helping me feel welcomed in this class. I am new this year and I do not know anyone. Your cheerful smile is always so warm."

Sincerely, Student B"

"Dear Miss H,

Do you know how much I love your class?I have never had a teacher who cares so much about their students. Thank you for always believing we can do our personal best.I love 5th grade."

#yepicried