Building a Growth Mindset Through School Family Groups

School Family Groups are in full swing at Missouri Valley Elementary. Last fall, MVE implemented multi-grade level groups that meet monthly to build relationships between students and staff. Family groups stay intact from year to year with outgoing 5th grade students transitioning to middle school and incoming kindergartners joining families as they begin their journey at MVE. 

Purpose of Family Groups: 

• Build and foster social skills and enhance school-wide climate
• Decrease behavior issues and increase students' sense of belonging
• Provide students with the opportunity to build relationships with adults
• Increase student awareness of social/emotional learning

Family Group Lesson

November, 2016

Topic: Growth Mindset

Gratitude Ice Breaker Questions:  

1. What is something invisible that you are thankful for? 

2. You read a book about a family who lived in another country. They were very poor, but they felt rich. They had a dirt floor, one room house, and they were barefooted with very few clothes. How could they feel grateful? 

3. What is something you are thankful for having learned?

Lesson Objective: Students will understand that their brain is like a muscle. They will grasp the idea that the harder they work, the smarter they can become. 

A growth mindset is when someone believes that with effort and hard work they can learn and make their brains stronger and smarter. 

The video below was viewed by every family group: 

In Episode 1, “A Secret about the Brain,” Mojo learns a secret from his friend, Katie, that changes how he thinks about learning!

Discussion Questions:

• Why does Mojo want to leave school? Can you sometimes relate to how Mojo is feeling?
• What does Katie say to Mojo to convince him not to leave?
• Do you think Mojo can become smarter? Why or why not?
• What subject do you feel frustrated by sometimes? Can you see yourself becoming smarter in that subject? How?

Check back next month to see how students and staff continue to grow a culture of growth mindset at MVE!

Some of our family groups in action:

Missouri Valley Elementary... Together We Make A Family!! 

Agricultural Education- A Gift That Keeps Giving

In 2010, former United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, spoke at the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention. Former Secretary, Duncan, addressed the crowd with the following remarks: “Education is like a seed. It is not planted just so it can grow and be harvested. With hard work, education takes roots. It replenishes. It nurtures a lifelong love of learning. It is truly a gift that keeps on giving.”

He went on to say… “Agricultural education is central to the future of American prosperity. I learned that agricultural educators face unique challenges—but that they also can tap into unique strengths within their tight-knit communities. I learned that agricultural education is very much about the jobs of the future—and not a backwards-looking curriculum to preserve the past.”

Missouri Valley CSD is fortunate to be part of a community that believes in education and the nurturing of lifelong learning. This fall, MVCSD welcomed Mr. Justin Mills to the MV team. Mr. Mills teaches a 7^th grade exploratory course along with five high school classes. His high school course loads consists of, Intro to Agriculture, Plant Science, Animal Science, Ag Construction and Maintenance, and Ag Business.

When Mr. Mills attended Iowa State University for elementary education, it took him a year to realize he missed the agricultural part of his life. He grew up on a farm outside of Harlan, and he realized that he wanted to incorporate agriculture into his teaching career. Justin took a job in Eastern Iowa at Central City for one semester when he found out MV was hiring. Mr. Mills jumped at the chance to come back to western Iowa and start a new program. Justin says that he always wanted to start a program from the ground up and come back to western Iowa, so things worked out!

When asked what his role is at MV, Mr. Mills stated: “My role at MV is to use agriculture and the shop to teach kids how to be practical, lifelong learners. I tell my students that everything I teach in class should be something they could use in the real world." 

Mr. Mills feels like his students have been receptive to starting something new and fresh at Missouri Valley. He averages 15 or so kids per class and there are 25+ FFA members, which are both good signs. Most of the students (and parents) thought Mr. Mills was the farming teacher. He has worked hard to explain that agriculture goes very far beyond that.

Mr. Mills has been working with student leaders in his FFA (Future Farmers of America) program. FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education.

The FFA officers include:

President-Tom Rief

Vice President-Morghan Herman

Secretary-Sydney Hoffman

Treasurer-Shannon Green

Reporter-Noah Kirlin

Sentinel-Danny Martin

Mr. Mills and his FFA students traveled to Atlantic for the Southwest District Greenhand Fire-Up Camp in October. The camp consists of breakout sessions hosted by former FFA state officers, businesses, and students to help students learn about FFA.

MVCSD looks forward to seeing what the future holds for Mr. Mills and the new Ag Program! 

Red Ribbon Week In Review

Missouri Valley CSD students celebrated Red Ribbon Week last week, October 31st through November 4th. 

Red Ribbon Week (RRW) is celebrated annually in remembrance of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. RRW is the Nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year. By wearing red ribbons and participating in community anti-drug events, young people pledge to live a drug-free lifestyle and pay tribute to DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena.

In addition to the theme days last week, students participated in classroom discussions, guidance lessons, and myth v. fact quizzes each day centered around living a healthy lifestyle. 

What was taught throughout the week? 

Kindergarten and First Grade

Students read a fictional book called: What is Red Ribbon Week? The book taught students that RRW is when we talk about and pledge to live life the healthy way. 

Second Grade

Second graders discussed healthy things they enjoy doing. They also had to opportunity to read What is Red Ribbon Week aloud. Finally, MVE second graders concluded that "Frankly, Drugs are Scary!"

Third Grade 

Is it Safe or Dangerous?

Lesson Objective: Students will demonstrate understanding of the dangers of tasting, swallowing, sniffing, or otherwise examining an unknown substance. 

As a class, students created lists of consumables are that safe, unsafe, and unsure to consume. 

Students were also challenged to research energy drinks. One third grade student researched and submitted the following information: 

"Most energy drinks are worse than soda. They normally have extra sugar and caffeine. Some might use ingredients like taurine or guarana that is questionable too."

Fourth and Fifth Grade

Fourth and fifth grade students completed the writing prompt: "Why is it important to say no to drugs?" They also worked on Agamographs to attach to their writing prompts. 


Elementary teachers also discussed the following topics with students throughout the week: 

Monday Topic:

Definition of Drugs

Tuesday Topic:

Smoking Stinks!

Wednesday Topic:

Peer Pressure

Thursday Topic:

Bodies and Brain

Friday Topic:

                                      Consequences and Alternatives to Drugs

Middle and High School Activities

Facts regarding the history of RRW were included in the morning announcements and were read by members of Student Council. Student Council students created an "I Vote To Be Drug Free" banner that students signed on Monday and were able to sign throughout the week. The banner is hanging on the cafeteria window. 

Students received a daily fact vs. myth quiz to fill out during first hour. Quiz topics included:  

Monday: Addiction

Tuesday: Tobacco Use

Wednesday: Underage Drinking 

Thursday: Marijuana Use

Friday: How to Help 

A resource was also shared with all middle and high school parents in the letter below: 

Parents/Guardians,

As we come to a close on Red Ribbon Week, I would like to take this opportunity to share a resource with you that is focused on how you can help your child make positive choices surrounding drugs and alcohol.

https://teens.drugabuse.gov/parents

Please talk to your child about what he/she has learned this week from the educational activities that were conducted.  It's our hope that they have learned at least one new fact about the effects of drugs and alcohol use!

If you have additional questions or would like additional resources, please feel free to contact me.

Jennifer Pontefract

School Interventionist

jpontefract@ghaea.org

Finally, middle and high school students ended the week with an activity entitled: "Are You True To Yourself?" This activity addressed peer pressure and left students with this important message: 

The people who follow their own path are the ones who more often get the most respect and go the farthest in life.

If you or someone you know is using drugs and/or alcohol or needs help in any other way please let an adult in your life know, whether it be at home or school.  

IN ADDITION, text VOICE to 20121 to text with a counselor through Boystown.  You can remain anonymous.

IN ADDITION, you can also visit https://teens.drugabuse.gov/

MVE Staff on Wacky Wednesday

MS Students "Putting Drugs To Rest"

Twin Day at MVE

Election 2016 at MVCSD

Missouri Valley students at all levels spent time preparing for the 2016 election of the 45th president of the United States. Here's a recap of what election preparation looked like for MV students. 

Kindergarten Election Week

The recent election is the buzz on the news, in homes, and around town. Kindergarten teachers decided to do a week long study about the election and what it means to vote. Kindergartners explored election vocabulary and discussed presidents. The first thing they did was register to vote. Once registered, students were able to vote. Students read many books to help them learn about voting. They then voted on their favorite snack and book. Kindergarten teachers taught students about making an informed decision when it is time to vote. Students voted in the "voting booth", placed the ballot in the ballot box, and then the results were counted. There was lots of cheering during the counting of the ballots! Students were excited to end their experience by making an "I voted" sticker! 

Mrs. Dickinson's second graders completed Election 2016 put out by Scholastic. When voting for candidates, their election was tied with four write-ins.  

Fourth Grade Election Activities

A vote was held in each fourth grade classroom. Each class had a certain number of electoral college votes based on their "population" and then teachers held an "election rally" in the multipurpose room where a representative from each class announced their results. 

Fourth grade students then watched "You're Not Elected Charlie Brown" as a grade. Fourth grade students also participated in an additional election held in Mrs. Lampe's 5th grade classroom. 

Fifth Grade Election Activities

Fifth grade students participated in a presidential debate and hosted a mock election for students in grades 3-5 on election day. 

Middle School Activities

Mr. Jensen held a mock election with his 7th and 8th grade social studies classes on election day. Students spent the last few weeks researching and presenting current issues to help students make their votes. Issues covered and discussed ranged from taxes to Syrian refugees, and many more. Donald Trump won their mock election with 50 cast votes to 34.

In 6th grade social studies classes, students have been watching the CNN Student News for Election 2016 coverage, which has led to numerous class discussions. Mrs. Voster also subscribed to Scholastic's magazine called Election Skills and students have been reading and learning from that magazine twice per week. 

Mrs. Voster also encouraged her students to watch the three debates on television, as well as, encouraged discussions between her 6th grade students and their families at home. On Election Day, 6th graders held a mock election where each student was able to vote in private. In addition to marking their choice for President, they were also asked to explain why they were choosing their respective candidate.

 Mrs. Voster has been so impressed with the kids' knowledge, enthusiasm, and their interest in the election process and the candidates! 

High School Events

Missouri Valley HS held it's own mock election on Tuesday, November 1. Students were asked to bring one or more canned items and vote for their CANdidate. All canned items were donated to the Harrison County Food Pantry. This event was sponsored by Woodmen Life Chapter 635. This event was organized and facilitated by the Government classes taught by Mr. Barker and Key Club advised by Mrs. Kohl.