Fail-a-Bration!

Learning isn't always easy. It includes challenges, setbacks, and often failure. 

This week we talked about what it means to fail. 

We discovered that failing isn't something to fear. Failure is part of life and an important part of learning. Through stories and discussions, we explored perseverance, trying again, and seeing mistakes as opportunities to grow. 

To celebrate this growth mindset, we held a FAIL-A-BRATION! 

To kick off the party, we shared times we've failed and reminded each other that mistakes help us learn. From falling off the monkey bars, spilling our peaches, or getting mixed up at bus transfer, we proudly celebrated our mistakes. 

As we prepared to decorate cookies for the party, we had a giggle when we saw the treats. Mrs. Beliveau had meant to make the cookies round, but when they came out of the oven, they were giant square blobs ... but what a perfect treat for a fail-a-bration!

The blob cookie decorating was delicious and sticky!

Cookies, banners, balloons, and a disco-light dance party made our fail-a-bration so joyous and set a positive tone for our school year and how we'll handle mistakes. 

Our classroom is a safe place to take risks. We will be challenged, and when things feel hard, what matters is how we respond. In Grade 1B we will fail together, succeed together, and grow stronger together! We aren't aiming for perfection, just trying our best and being a little better than before. 

Zoo School Project: Kids With Character!

As you know, our class is headed to the Edmonton Valley Zoo for AN ENTIRE WEEK in January! HOLY MOLY GUACAMOLE! To qualify for one of the highly sought-after weeks at the zoo, a year-long project must be submitted and selected. Drumroll, please!......Character education will drive OUR awesome year-long Zoo School project! 

Our Zoo Project

Character Education is when we intentionally teach our students about the traits that will help them become successful, caring individuals. We strive to encourage our children use their God-given gifts to be the hands of Jesus to others! 

Throughout the year, our project will focus on 6 key character traits; trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring & perseverance. We’ll read zoo animal stories that feature these character traits, and then students will deepen their understanding through journal prompts, reflections, activities, and Bible readings.

Perseverence

We began our project by reading the folktake Give Up, Gecko! When the animals find themselves thirsty and without water, they decide to dig. The large animals try, but give up. The medium animals try and give up, too! Even small animals try, but quit. Then an itty bitty little gecko tries and tries, and eventually finds water! He sure didn't give up!

This story highlights perseverance and promotes a "growth mindset", which is what we celebrate and encourage here at Holy Redeemer. We value hard work, persistence, & effort! Have a look!

http://big-change.org/growth-mindset/

After reading Give Up Gecko!, we focused on something tricky we wanted to learn that we promised not to give up on! 

I won't give up until I learn to build a robot.

I won't give up until I learn to do a handstand.

I won't give up until I learn to BBQ.

We will continue to read animals stories featuring perseverance! Isn't everything new a little tricky at first?

Psssst! Hang on! Stay tuned for part 2 of our Zoo School Project ... it's really exciting! (Hint: This second part of our zoo project is digital, eeeek!)

My blog posts from last year's phenomenal zoo school week can be found here, here, here, here and also here! Get excited!

Writing prompt courtesy of Deanna Jump can be found HERE.