Compliment Circle and Making Expressions Equal

In math the children have been learning about expressions and that although the addends may look different or be in a different order, they can equal the same number. For example, 2+2 and 1+3 are two different expressions, but they both equal 4. These lessons also taught the children that 5+2 is the same as 2+5. Doing this makes the children have to think about the numbers and what they symbolize. To reinforce the lessons the students played a matching game with many expressions that were totals of 10 or less. It was an interactive way for the students to practice their addition and equaling expressions.

Another activity the class participated in was a compliment circle. At St. James we put an intentional effort in teaching, demonstrating, and recognizing kindness. At chapel each week multiple students are caught being kind. In a compliment circle student take turns giving genuine compliments. We start with our legs straight and I begin it by calling on a student, once they are called on they cross their legs and receive their compliment. Then that student calls on another student, they then cross their legs and receive their compliment. This continues until every student has received a compliment. Before beginning the activity the class and I discuss how to compliment someone authentically. The class did such a great job and everyone had a little more pep in their step after starting the day with kindness and a personal compliment.