Term 2 Week 2

Boost 2
We had a great start to our Boost 2 class yesterday. 
Firstly we looked at all the types of thinking that we will be learning about during Boost time.  We talked about the differences between Critical, Caring and Creative thinking, and also the importance of using the Habits of Mind.  To be successful we need to follow good practice, and yesterday we began working on persistence, and finding humour.  We played a game with a partner, which is designed to be difficult and make players want to give up.  We began playing the game, thinking about our own reaction to frustration and difficulty. Some children laughed to show they were uncomfortable and some children gave up playing.  We then talked about the ways that we can persist when things get difficult.  Partners were shown encouraging comments and actions to help others get through it, and we also talked about the fact that we can overcome giving up when we put our minds to it.  By the end of the game all children were persisting (and also finding a good lot of humour in their attempts to succeed).

We also began playing chess.  Chess is fantastic for a lot of reasons.  You need critical thinking to play the game, persistence to continue when you think there is no way out of check, you take responsible risks when choosing some strategies to play, and you also need to deal with losing a game sometimes.  Today was spent learning how each piece moves and the object of the game.  The boys were very impressed when they heard that chess is actually a war game and the object is to kill the king!  Chess takes a lot of practise, so if you have a chess set at home, don't be afraid to get it out and have a go.  We also have a chess club on Mondays at lunch time.