We had a wonderful start to 5th grade Horizon with these awesome kids!  This week, students used the 4C's (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication) to solve a Breakout puzzle and began learning more about themselves through a personality quiz.  Students began exploring their own personality traits and will soon have the opportunity to identify similarities and differences with their peers, which will help them understand how different perspectives can support teamwork and self-awareness.  

Our week was about self-discovery and purposeful thinking in Horizon!

We began by revisiting our compass personality results from last week, and took a deep dive into our primary and secondary directions.  Students explored the similarities they shared with others.  We discovered that even when people approach the world differently, there are often more connections than we initially realize.  Differences can be a strength when we work and learn together!

We then turned our attention to growth as learners.  Students set their middle-of-year MAP goals and identified specific Scholarly Behaviors that can help them work toward those goals.  

We ended class learning about effective practice, and how becoming better at something isn't simply about practicing more...it's about HOW we practice and being intentional about the strategies we use.  

We started class by reviewing how effective practice is consistent and intensely focused.  We learned that removing distractions, starting slow to focus on quality, taking breaks in between frequent repetitions, and visualizing our goals are ways to practice effectively.  

We were introduced to Executive Functioning Skills. We discovered that if we can improve these skills, it can lead to making better choices, supporting our academic success, better collaboration skills, positive relationship skills, and future career success! Our focus this week was "attention".  

Using all that we learned, we applied it to a logic grid.  Students used their 4C's, inference skills, and the process of elimination to solve this puzzle.  It was challenging and fun!

We ended our class learning about resiliency - bouncing back after it gets difficult AND getting stronger!  Students brainstormed a list of characters from stories/movies/shows as well as people from the past (who are not currently alive and are famous for good) who have demonstrated resiliency.  Next week, we will have a Tournament of Resiliency to see who was the most resilient!

**Students took a paper home and may ask you (parents) to help add to their list of resilient characters or people.  We will use this list for our next class.