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February 2015 Newsletter



Calendar of Events

 1     2     3     4     5     6     7
 8     9    10   11   12   13   14
15   16   17   18   19   20   21
 22   23   24  25   26   27   28
 29   30   31 

Feb. 4- Midterms Go Home 
Feb. 12- JAM Day!
Feb. 13- Two Hour Early Out & Valentine Card Exchange
Feb. 16- No School for Students

           The Power of Positive Reinforcement     

It’s important for all the adults in kid’s lives to talk to them in way that encourages them and motivates them.  By giving kids positive reinforcement and complimenting them, they will exhibit more of the behavior you want to see.

Here are a few examples:

  • Look at how much you improved.
  • You should be proud of yourself.
  • I am proud of how much time and effort you put into that.
  • That’s a great observation.
  • That’s what we call perseverance.
  • I can tell that you put a lot of time thinking this through.
  • Thank you for cooperating.  I feel like a team when we work like this.
  • That’s a tough one, but I know that you will figure it out.
  • I am really impressed by your hard work.
  • I trust your judgment.

A few more Tips on Positive Reinforcement -

  • Show your Feelings. When your student does something that you like, reward him by nodding or smiling, so he knows that you are pleased with what he did.
  • Praise your Student’s Effort rather than your Student. "I liked the way you studied really hard for that test".  Rather than say, “You must be really smart.”
  • Focus on the Behavior.  “I thought you did a really good job taking turns today.”
  • Be Specific. Acknowledge the exact words, actions, behaviors you liked.  Instead of "Beautiful job," say, "What bright, happy colors you picked for this picture."
  • Reward Progress and Improvements. “I liked that you were able to focus on playing this game much longer this week.”

 

                        Activity Ideas                               
With Valentine's Day, President's Day, Black History Month all happening this month, there is a wide range of themed activities for you and your student to engage in.

Make Valentines day cards together,write poems or make Valentines Day themed arts and crafts. Click Here for ideas. 

For President's Day Printables (crossword puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, word searches) Click Here.

For Black History Month Printables (coloring pages, quizzes, information on important African American figures etc.). Click Here.


            Talking Points / Conversation Tips         
  • If you could go in a time machine, what era in history would you like to visit?
  • What person in history would you like to visit?
  • If you could grow up to be famous, what would you want to be famous for?
  • If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be?
  • How would the world be different if animals could talk?
  • What do you think would be the best thing about being a dog or cat? Why? What would be the worst thing? Why?
  • If all your clothes could only be one color, what color would you choose?
                                     Remember to Share Your Answers! 
 

                        Book of the Month                        

Product Details One hot summer night in the city, all the power goes out. The TV shuts off and a boy wails, "Mommm!" His sister can no longer use the phone, Mom can't work on her computer, and Dad can't finish cooking dinner. What's a family to do? When they go up to the roof to escape the heat, they find the lights--in stars that can be seen for a change--and so many neighbors it's like a block party in the sky! On the street below, people are having just as much fun--talking, rollerblading, and eating ice cream before it melts. The boy and his family enjoy being not so busy for once. They even have time to play a board game together. When the electricity is restored, everything can go back to normal . . . but not everyone likes normal. The boy switches off the lights, and out comes the board game again.

Click Here for the full summary. 

                                                
                        Notes & Reminders                       
The Elevator Area has been a hub of excitement recently.  If you feel like its too crowded for you to be able to have one-on-one time with your student, you are welcome to use the library, computer lab, gym, cafeteria, music room and playground if those areas aren't in use.
 
We encourage you to post about your mentoring experiences on on your own social media pages or on the Education Elevators Facebook Page using  #Education Elevators.  If you prefer, feel free to email your stories and photos to: allison@educationelevators.org.
 
"Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant."
                            - Robert Louis Stevenson 
        

                          www.EducationElevators.org

                     

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