The Power of Music

" Brain research tells us that music can impact our thinking.

The right music can charge and energize our brain." Eric Jensen

• Try using some music by Vivaldi or Handel to help calm your class.
• You can use music to energize students like our Friday walking music.
• You might use music for transitions. Select a theme song to signal students that science is about to begin, etc.
• Music is an effective nmemonic device. Think of how many students sing the ABCs to alphabetize a list of words.
• You can create a mood for writing with some background music.
• How about a song to end the day: Hallelujah Chorus anyone?

Remember that poetry and chants also fall under the musical rhythmic intelligence because of their rhythm. Students can add rhythm to their spelling words. This helps many students internalize the tricky spelling patterns.

For other teaching strategies see MI in the Classroom pg.59-60.

As you try some new ideas or utilize some old favorites, please remember to share them. Happy singing!

Visual Spatial Ideas

Because I am not strong in this area, I have learned to utilize the students who are gifted in visual spatial areas to help me with illustrations and visual cues for my students. This is extremely helpful when working with my ELL students. It really helps them hook meaning to the word when they see a visual representation of the word.

Although I can't draw, I do love color. This will also appeal to our visual learners. When we write our spelling words, we use different colors for vowels and consonants. We also look at the shape of a word. These cues can help the V-sp. learners.

Graphic organizers are also wonderful tools. Using a G.O. helps 'organize' thoughts around a visual theme. My daughter is high in V-sp and she loves to use organizers to 'corral' her thoughts.

We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words so don't forget to look for some pictures to illustrate the topics you are studying. The internet has really opened up the possibilities for that.

Lastly, help students use visualization to aid their reading comprehension. Thinking about the story as if it were a 'movie in your mind' can help students understand what they are reading. Now this is an area that I am strong in. I have a great imagination. You will find areas of v-sp. that you are strong in, too. Capitalize on those areas and ask students to help you in your weaker areas. Everyone will benefit. What are you thoughts? Hey, Mr. GV, we'd love to hear from you...

Bodily-Kinesthetic Students

BK students:

• find it difficult to sit for long periods of time
• like working with their hands
• formulate ideas when they are out walking or engaged in a physical activity (Recess anyone?)
• talk with their hands
• learn about things by touching them- "hands-on"
• need to practice a new skill rather than just read about it.

Thomas Armstrong talks about the BK learner in "The Multiple Intelligences of Reading and Writing". He cites Montessori's strategy of 'words have the power of action'. Students draw a slip of paper with a sentence written on it. After reading the sentence, they perform the task that is written: "Water the plants." This helps them connect with the idea that words have power and can lead to action. I think that is an interesting way to connect our BK learners with the written word. What do you think?

We Can Make a Difference!

This year we have already touched the lives of many students. Are you noting some of the strengths your students have? Let's build upon those strengths! How have you learned about your students' unique strengths and dominant intelligences?
I have really enjoyed reading the comments that parents have provided on the "Tell Me About Your Child" questionaire. Our first grade students also complete a page about themselves for our class book. It is a great way to learn what is important to that student. Tell us about the things that are working for you.

Starting with the Positive

This year I am beginning the year with a positive inquiry for the parents. They are often eager to tell me about their child's problems. I would like to begin with their strengths. I hope this is an effective tool. I will keep you posted. :-) Here are the questions I am using.

Tell Me About Your Child

This information will help me design activities that will
match your child’s interests and our first grade curriculum.

1. What did your child like most about kindergarten?
2. Tell me something your child does well.
3. What does your child enjoy doing during their free time?
4. What are two of your child’s favorite books?
5. What is your child’s favorite game?
6. Does your child have any hobbies or collections?
What are they?
7. What are some things that you would like me to know about your child?

Marcus Buckingham Strengths at Work

This video is 2 minutes long. Take a look!
Let us know what you think of the message!

Strengths Based Learning is an interesting concept. Dr. Mel Levine, "All Kinds of Minds" believes that teachers must be expert observers of students' functioning. We must learn to analyze our students' strengths and weaknesses. Howard Gardner calls this "a laser profile". By observing how our students learn, we help them identify some functions that operate almost automatically for them. We can demystify their learning by helping them become self-aware.