Teaching the Whole Child

During my teaching career I have developed an approach that focuses on the whole child and emphasizes academics, character development, work habits, social skills, and health & wellness. On this board I share my favorite things that bring these topics to life.
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1y
My students and I just completed our class mission statement, and I decided to try a different format this year. Rather than present our ideas as a series of paragraphs, I designed the document to look like the front wall of a classroom. The text was fit inside a whiteboard, two bulletin boards, a clock, a flag, and other "classroom-themed" shapes. As much as possible, the meaning of the text matched the object in which it was placed.
I'm excited to present a new, free resource that I'm making available for teachers and parents. Spotlight Days enables us to give greater attention and emphasis to 5 important ideas: mindfulness, kindness, empowerment, service, & gratitude. By assigning each of these concepts its own day of the week, we can build them into the “fabric” of our classrooms. You can find the pdf at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:steve%20reifman
I'm excited to present a new, free resource that I'm making available for teachers and parents. Spotlight Days enables us to give greater attention and emphasis to 5 important ideas: mindfulness, kindness, empowerment, service, & gratitude. By assigning each of these concepts its own day of the week, we can build them into the “fabric” of our classrooms. You can find the pdf at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:steve%20reifman
FREE "Summer Writing Series" for Kids
Starting June 16th, I will be leading a free, 6-session “Summer Writing Series” on Zoom. I know that many kids may not have their usual access to camps and classes this summer, and I want to encourage them to pursue their own writing projects and develop their writing skills. I will put the sessions on YouTube afterwards for those who are unable to attend live. To learn more & to register, visit https://forms.gle/YZPwCmr8Hz2YcqVC7. I'll follow up by sending the Zoom links & other relevant info.
Spotlight Day #5: Gratitude Friday
This visual introduces students to "Gratitude Friday," the fifth of five "Spotlight" days that I incorporated into our weekly schedule to give special attention to important ideas and priorities.
Spotlight Day #4: Serve It Up Thursday
This visual introduces students to "Serve It Up Thursday," the fourth of five "Spotlight" days that I incorporated into our weekly schedule to give special attention to important ideas and priorities.
Spotlight Day #3: Empowering Wednesday
This visual introduces students to "Empowering Wednesday," the third of five "Spotlight" days that I incorporated into our weekly schedule to give special attention to important ideas and priorities.
Spotlight Day #2: "RAK" It Up Tuesday
This visual introduces students to "'RAK' It Up Tuesday," the second of five "Spotlight" days that I incorporated into our weekly schedule to give special attention to important ideas and priorities.
Spotlight Day #1: Mindfulness Monday
This visual introduces students to "Mindfulness Monday," the first of five "Spotlight" days that I incorporated into our weekly schedule to give special attention to important ideas and priorities.
Introducing "Spotlight" Days
"Spotlight" days are a great way to give special attention to important ideas and priorities. Elsewhere on this page you will find the visuals that I use to introduce each day's focus to my students. I learned of this idea at the SHAPE Tampa physical education conference in April of 2019.
2018-19 Class Mission Statement Visual
My students and I created this visual as a companion to the mission statement we wrote at the beginning of our school year. The rationale behind making the visual is that seeing the statement as an image may help students understand the ideas on a deeper level, and the ideas may resonate with the kids in a way they might not with text alone. The visual also serves as the front of our class t-shirt.
Red Herrings (A Short Mystery Writing Lesson for Kids)
Red Herrings (A Short Mystery Writing Lesson for Kids)