Perseverance

The introduction of strings in Kindergarten provides an opportunity for a variety of skills to be built. Students are learning to follow words and step by step directions in order to accomplish different milestones in Jacob's ladder. They are challenged throughout string work to persevere and keep working through all the challenges they endure!

Students are practicing essential skills. Some of these include sequencing, prepositions and ordinal numbers. Teachers say the words as students repeat in order to remember the steps independently. We all start together saying, "Starting point" and continue through the various steps. 

Students are building body awareness, dexterity and knowledge of symmetry as they move, "Thumbs over the first string and pick up the second." Some steps are more challenging than others and require multiple practices in order to master. 

Most importantly students are viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn. Teacher's reinforce that working with strings is a very difficult task, one that is not accomplished in a few days. They are learning to practice to accomplish a goal and learning strategies from one another throughout the way. 

Students work together and individually to offer words of encouragement. Tessa and Elliott work saying the appropriate steps together as they try and reach "Cat's Whiskers." Dylan watches as Kyle shows him how to start when beginning his string construction. 

As students gain more confidence in their abilities they begin to volunteer to show the class their achievements so far. The class watches and voices the steps with Noah to help him. After he has reached his stopping point the class celebrates and congratulates Noah through applause and kind words. 

Each step along the way is important to the end result. Students have opportunities to practice during different traisitions throughout the day and through whole group work. 

Students are overjoyed when they get to the first major milestone "Cat's Whiskers!" When they achieve this for the first time, the class stops and celebrates. Once they have repeated the same motion three times they are able to work alone or offer a friend some help. 

Through string activities students feel a sense of community and compassion toward one another. They celebrate as students accomplish goals and are hopeful for one another in this quest to accomplish Jacob's ladder. Whenever students begin to express "This is too hard!" classmates quickly respond with "Persevere! You can do it!" This dialogue becomes internalized and benefits students as they begin writing and reading. 

Strings are easy to create with materials at home including yarn or shoe laces. They also make wonderful Christmas gifts.....