Stretching Ourselves

"This is too hard!" " I can't do that!" " Woah, I'm falling over!" All direct quotes from students doing Yoga (stretching and breathing exercises) for the first time several weeks ago. For some, it was new and different. It was outside their comfort zone, outside of what they normally did with their bodies. Their muscles were letting them know their surprise at being stretched in this way, balanced that way and centred this way. All of this bizarre new lesson playing out in front of their peers, non-judgemental of course, but an audience none the less.

So why participate in this morning fitness session, you might ask? It's a time the students can quietly and calmly focus on just them! Every pose, stretch, breath and thought is for them, they are focused truly on their mind and bodies. In this fast paced, hyper stimulated society, it is so important our children learn to press the pause button in a productive way.

A 90 degree angle in action

Dancing Warrior

The students have come so far in just three weeks. They are more focussed throughout the session, increasingly self aware as opposed to peer aware. The boys are becoming stronger in their core and improving balance on both left and right sides of their body. The girls are increasing in flexibility, see that 90 degree angle, and are eagerly awaiting the next progression.

Child's Pose

It's a lovely, cohesive start to our day and helps us with our emotional regulation. I think that's what they were trying to achieve in this Angry Birds clip...



Until next time it's paper, scissors...

Leading the Leaders

At our school, we have an expectation that all Year 6 students are leaders. They wear a polo shirt with a white stripe that distinguishes them from the other students. They are the role models in our school and teachers and students can rely upon them to be the example of leadership. So who leads the leaders when the leaders need leading! 

We recently held our annual nomination, speech and voting process to determine who would hold the positions of Student Councillor and Faction Captains for 2017. The caliber of students on the ballot paper was high and it certainly made for a great deal of deliberation from their peers and teachers in voting for the leadership roles. The speeches were well thought out, succinct and delivered with confidence. The audience appreciated the fact that delivering a speech to 10 adults, including the Principal, and over 180 students would take some courage. Let me share with you some excerpts:

"It's not just handing our leaflets and putting up flags, it's about being a responsible, respectful role model who has the willpower to own the position"

"A day without laughter is a day wasted, vote for me and your day won't be wasted!"

"You don't need to be the fastest, fittest or strongest, you just need to show leadership well."

It was no surprise to me that these students presented themselves this way. Most have been a student at Tapping PS for 8 years of solid behaviour education and self management development. Congratulations to those that now have the honour and privilege of being in a leadership role and we look forward to positive experiences with you this year. Until next time it's paper, scissors...

It's About Time

As we settle into a new year of schooling, we have had numerous discussions about class expectations. Learning time versus social time, having your tools for learning ready and having an open mind and a willingness to explore new things. 

Students can often take their time transitioning between lessons, essentially moving from one learning activity to another. No rush, take your time-  you say? Think again! 

We had fun in Maths today exploring how the time adds up...

5 minutes per transition x 5 times per day = 25 minutes a day

25 minutes a day x 5 days = 125 minutes a week (which the students told me is 2 hrs and 5 minutes)

2hrs and 5 minutes a week x 40 school weeks = 83 hrs and 20 minutes

The students did rapid fire maths telling me the answers each step of the way. We realised that taking 5 minutes to switch activities will mean 3 and a half days lost, forever! 

As we become focussed and organised we become more productive learners. Time management is not just a skill for LA 8, for high school- it's a skill for life.

Until next time it's paper, scissors....