Fourth graders act out what allies look like and sound like with Mrs. Valentine.

WE. ARE. CLASSMATES.  That simple phrase was the catalyst for our topic of discussion during Mrs. Valentine’s classroom visit: Rights and Responsibilities.  What constitutes a right vs. a responsibility?  Students helped Mrs. Valentine drum up a list of ideas which included the following:

RIGHTS:

• We have the right to learn in a safe environment.
• We have the right to voice our opinions.
• We have the right to use school equipment and materials.
• We have the right to receive fair treatment.
• We have the right to be offered and receive a solid education.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• We are responsible for following the safety rules.
• We demonstrate responsibility by respecting the opinions of others.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to agree with others, yet we certainly provide space for their opinion(s).
• We are responsible for respecting the materials and equipment, meaning we use the items as they are intended.

Each day, students are putting these ideas into practice.  As Mrs. Valentine eloquently reminded us, “Rights and responsibilities flow together.  Sharing ideas out loud as a class helps us gain momentum and clarity.” Post-it notes served as our “exit ticket” during our session with Mrs. Valentine.  Students wrote down one, only one thing that they expect from their classmates.  Whispers of the words sportsmanship, fairness, kindness, and respect flowed through the air as classmates constructed their responses. We look forward to our next visit with Mrs. Valentine.

Our wonderful school counselor, Mrs. Valentine, paid 4th graders a visit yesterday during our morning meeting.  She posed the question: What is an ally? That question caused us to pause and dig deep for answers as we thought about what an ally looks like and sounds like. Students offered up several suggestions:

• Sloan – “Someone you trust”
• Jojo – “Someone who looks after you”
• Paisley – “They help you do things”
• Saige – ” Allies say, ‘You’ve got this! You can do this! Keep going!’ “
• Paloma – “Smiles and has a good time”

All in all, we determined that allies work together towards a common goal; allies are people you join with and count on.

Mrs. Valentine closed our time together by emphasizing, “Your goal is to look for ways to be an ally.  When you arrive at school each day to be a classmate, student, and friend, your job is to be an ally.”

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Students were challenged to NOTICE what is happening in the world around them, CHOOSE actions that create positive change, and to ACT as a role model for kindness and compassion during our “Be the Change” activity. Each student decided how they could “Be the Change” and wrote their commitments on their “arms” that reach towards common goals. Ideas included:

• Pick up trash on the beach

• Use kind words consistently

• Show support to others

• Donate money to animal shelters

• Save energy by turning off lights

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle

** Challenge**  What can YOU do to “Be the Change?”

Can intelligence be changed?  What are growth mindsets and fixed mindsets? Fourth graders are exploring the answers to these questions as they embark upon a brand new school year.  Thanks to the work of Stanford University professor of psychology, Dr. Carol Dweck, and her 2006 book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,  research shows that intelligence, talents, and skills are malleable and can be developed.  With persistence, effort, and a focus on learning, students shift their thinking to a growth mindset and focus on grit and tenacity rather than on “smarts.” The fixed mindset is a belief system that suggests that a person has a predetermined amount of intelligence, skills or talents.  In fourth grade, we plan to chip away at fixed mindsets and replace those intrusive thoughts by educating ourselves about our brains through a unit of study regarding neuroscience.  Stay tuned for our updates throughout the school year and celebrate with us as we shift our mindsets!

The art of storytelling and capturing an audience’s attention is Michael Katz’s forte.  A storyteller for over 30 years, Katz shares his craft with Lower School students every year during a two-day workshop.  Having performed at both the Los Angeles Getty Center and the Disney Concert Hall, Katz is sought after by schools, theatres, and festivals. His workshops include reading comprehension, theatrical movement, storytelling rhythm, sequencing, vocal projection, and eye contact. With his animated and interactive style of storytelling, he encourages students to take risks and push themselves out of their comfort zones.

Award-winning children’s book author, Lee Wardlaw,  dazzled us with a classroom visit and gave us a glimpse into her life.   During our time together, she shared her love of cats and her passion for writing.  Where does she get her inspiration?  Her family experiences are the perfect catalyst for her variety of books.  For example, Corey’s Fire, is based on her house burning down during a wildfire.  Won Ton – A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, is a reflection on her adoption of three cats from a local Santa Barbara shelter.  She gleaned her creative material for 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher!  from her years as both a student and teacher.  Ms. Wardlaw has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Children’s Poetry Award and the Myra Cohn Livingston Poetry Award.  You can view her other awards on her website at http//:www.leewardlaw.com.  She has inspired us to unwrap our creative writing skills!

Mrs. Brace is hosting Laguna’s Scholastic Book Fair Wednesday, October 3, and Thursday, October 4, from 2:30 – 4:00 pm.  Stop by for GREAT deals!  There is something for EVERYONE!

Last week, students in grades EK- 12 gathered to celebrate Laguna Blanca’s 85th birthday.  Special guest speaker, Mr. Arthur “Bam” Spaulding, class of 1943, was at Laguna on its opening day 85 years ago on September 21.  The lively celebration included a pep rally, a drone photo shoot, and delicious treats!  What a great day to be an OWL!

The Junior Great Books reading program brings high-quality literature and student-centered discussions to our classroom.  It provides a solid framework for practicing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing.  The discussion platform we use each week is called Shared Inquiry.  This particular method fosters a vibrant learning environment in which students learn the habits and strategies used regularly and naturally by good readers, thinkers, and learners.

We started our unit with the theme trust, and we asked ourselves, “How do you earn someone’s trust?”  During our first discussion we explored this question and came up with several ideas :

• If you make a deal with someone, keep it.
• Having experience with someone adds trust.
• Follow through on what you say you are going to do.

Award-winning author, Langston Hughes, wrote Thank You, M’am, the first story in our book.  This realistic fiction story centers around a boy of about fourteen, Roger, as he attempts to steal a woman’s purse late one night but winds up with more than he bargained for.  As we read, we noted questions that we had, and instances where we felt the woman in the story was being hard or easy on Roger.  Using our reader’s journals, we recorded our reactions and ways in which the discussion shifted our point of views.

Please join us on Saturday, September 15 from 9 a.m. to Noon for California Coastal Cleanup Day! http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/cleanup  Laguna Blanca School is hosting the table for the ninth year in a row at Miramar/Hammonds Beach (San Ysidro Road exit/Eucalyptus Lane) in Montecito. This is an opportunity for our EK-12 grade school to give back to the community and to give our coastline some much needed attention!

WHAT TO BRING: 

·      Bring Your Own (B.Y.O.) bucket or reusable bag to collect trash in, and/or gardening gloves. Help us cut down our waste. http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/byo.html

–          Wear sunscreen and close-toed shoes, and bring a refillable water bottle and a hat. Please sport your LagunaWear!

–          MS and US volunteers under 18 who are cleaning the beach without a parent/guardian MUST bring a signed waiver with a parent or guardian signature. The form can be found on the community service page and in the HR front office.

(Everyone else will sign the waiver at the beach)

Parking down by Miramar Beach can be tough. Limited street parking is available. All Saints-by-the-Sea (83 Eucalyptus Lane) is kind enough to let us use their parking lot for parking for this event. Directions are to use the East lot by the school (left side of Eucalyptus Lane past the church). Otherwise, walking or biking to the site is encouraged.

The majority of trash found will be micro-trash. High tide may reduce cleanup area. Low tide is at 7:49 am (+2.5 ft) and high tide is at 2:29 pm (+4.89 ft).

Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged. All participants who register for Coastal Cleanup Day before the event will be entered in EXPLORE ECOLOGY’S Ocean Lovers’ Give Away with prizes from Patagonia, REI, A Frame Surf Shop, Santa Barbara Sailing Center, Mountain Air Sports, Okeanos Swim, Paddle Sports, Surf Happens, Surf N Wear, and the Boathouse Restaurant. Sign Up Now!

Help us keep track of the litter found at Coastal Cleanup Day. Record the trash you collect on a Data Sheet or on the Clean Swell App that instantaneously uploads to the Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database. (There will be Data Sheets at the event for those who don’t want to or are unable to use the app for recording their trash.)

Let’s make this year’s event even more successful… See you at the beach!

Best,

Ms. Svedlund (LS) and Ms. Armstrong (MS) and Mr. Faust (US)