5th Grade- Attitude Patrol

During this lesson, we discussed why it's important for you to have a positive outlook/attitude.  I read a story to them called "The Attitude Patrol."  This story is about a girl who has a negative attitude about everything- she doesn't believe in herself, and therefore does not do well with her work.  We talked about how hard it is to stay positive sometimes, especially when the task is hard, or when it's a weakness.  But, it's important to believe in yourself and keep going no matter what.  We made positive quote posters to keep for ourselves, or to hang around the building :)

4th Grade- Choices/Self Concept

During this lesson, we talked about the importance of making good choices.  We discussed what self-concept is, and how this relates to our choices we make.  If we make not so good choices and get into trouble, we might feel bad about ourselves because we're in trouble; but if it weren't for the bad choice we made, the feeling would not be there.  We talked about how hard it is sometimes to disagree with someone, or to hear someone tell us "no."  We read the book above and discussed how to disagree respectfully, and we practiced what to do if someone tells us no and we don't like that answer.

2nd grade study skills unit- #3

GWC Checking Chipmunk the puppet came back to visit the kids to talk to them about another important work habit.  He shared the importance of setting priorities.  He told the kids about all the tasks he must do in a day, and what he should do- based on importance.  The kids then talked about or wrote about (depending on the time left) all the tasks they must complete, and then rearranged them into a list of the most important to the least important.

Colaco 1/2 split- Study skills- Lesson #2

During this lesson, Clover came back to see the kids.  Clover is a puppet and gets really excited to see the kids and barks :)  He also gets nervous and hides.  Clover wanted to teach the kids about the importance of being a Champion at school, by trying hard.  We talked about how hard it is sometimes to try, when the task is hard.  Clover shared a story with the kids about something he tried hard with, and succeeded.  Clover will be back next time to teach about another way to be a Champion at school.

1st Grade- Friendship- Lucky Shamrock

1st Grade talked about friendship qualities during this lesson.  We talked about how it feels when others listen to you, how it feels when you listen to others, how to do you know when someone is listening to you, and how can being a good listener help a friendship.  We played a game called the lucky shamrock.  The kids were divided into small groups.  In the groups, the kids practiced listening to each other.  They were given a category to discuss- if I were a favorite color, what would I be, favorite toy, favorite food, etc.  There was 1 shamrock for each group- whoever had the shamrock is the one who would talk.  Everyone else had to listen.  It was fun to hear the kids talk about their favorites.  They also got to know each other a bit more, which is always a plus.

Kindergarten- Study Skills unit- Lesson #3

Continuing to work with Earhart the Owl, and learning about good work habits, Kindergarten completed lesson 3 of my study skills unit.  This lesson is about the importance of working quietly.  The Kinders heard from Earhart the Owl about why it's important for owls to work quietly.  They listened to a song about good work habits.  Earhart related this back to the kids' school work- she wanted them to explain why it's so important to work quietly in school.  It was a blast working with Earhart the puppet and listening to the kids creative answers :)

5th grade- learning styles

5th grade took a quick assessment about what their learning style is.  There are 3 learning styles- visual learner, auditory learner and kinesthetic (tactile) learner.  Based on the answers they gave, they learned about their learning style.  We then discussed how we would use this new information to be a better learner.  We talked about how we could use this information in the future, especially in middle school, to be proactive in our learning- to take charge of our learning and get what we need to learn.  It was a fun experience for the kids to learn more about themselves!  Ask your 5th grader what type of learner they are!

5th grade- Decision making #3

5th grade is continuing to talk about decision making.  During this lesson, we discussed the actual process of making a decision.  I read a story to the kids about a monkey named "watch out."  He got his name from everyone always having to yell "watch out."  The monkey did not think before he acted.  He met another animal who was wise, and told him about CeeCeeDe.  Choices, consequences, decision.  He explained the process of thinking about choices, thinking about what consequences will be because of the choices we make, and then making a decision based on all of that information.  Before long, his name changed to CeeCeeDe, because of his new choices.  

I then gave the kids some examples of how they could practice using this process. They then worked in groups to write out this process, with a problem they were given.

Ask your 5th grader about CCD!

4th grade- self esteem

We read this book.  We discussed the definition of self esteem- confidence in one's own worth or abilities, self respect.  We talked about how self esteem can be on a scale- high, low, or in the middle. I asked the kids to think to themselves where they thought their self esteem is on the scale- do they believe in themselves- that they are good, they make mistakes and that's ok, they are capable; or do they often put themselves down- think they're not good enough, get really upset when make a mistake, etc.
We then made a self esteem shield.  The kids decorated their shield with what they think makes them who they are- what makes them feel good.  I explained that sometimes, life is hard (reminded of our coping discussion).  It might make our self esteem dip a little.  This shield is for them to keep in a safe place so that if they get in a low time, they can pull it out and remind themselves what makes them feel good- the shield should boost them up.

4th Grade Coping- Lesson #3

During this last coping lesson, the kids were asked to look at their attitude and how their thoughts are effecting their actions.  We discussed the glass half full/empty analogy- and how that might cloud your thoughts.

We defined attitude- how you act.  Our thoughts lead to attitudes- your attitude depends on how you see a situation- such as the glass.

I gave 3 examples of attitudes:

*red- "fiery red"- blames everyone else

*blue- "poor little me"- sees things worse than they actually are

*yellow- look for a + and a - in the situation- don't allow negative events to ruin their attitude.

The kids then put on sunglasses and pretended to be these different attitudes, after I gave them a situation.

*example- you're driving and you're late- a car pulls in front of you and goes 35 in a 55.

*red- "hey, what do you think you're doing, I can't believe they gave you a license,  you're making me late..."

*blue- "aww man, this always happens to me, I'm going to be late, my boss is going to be mad, I'm going to lose my job, why even try"

*yellow- "oh no, just when I thought I was going to be on time- I'm only a few minutes late, I'm sure my boss will understand. Tomorrow I will leave 10 minutes earlier."

*other examples we used- strike out and lose the game, your brother gets to go see a movie and doesn't invite you, you study hard but fail a test.

We discussed these attitudes, and decided that yellow is the best to have, but you have to work at it- it doesn't come easy.

4th grade Coping- Lesson #2

4th grade continued their discussion about coping.  We talked about a time in which we have been disappointed.  I wanted to point out that everyone, at some point in their lives, has felt this way- it's a normal feeling to have.  I find out that kids start to feel these feelings and think they are alone in what they are feeling; it's important to me to point out that sometimes life can be disappointing- and to expose the kids to others who have felt the same way.

We talked about how these disappointing things that happen are usually over things we do not have control over.  We discussed a roller coaster, and how life sometimes feels like we are on one- there are highs and there are lows.  We discussed some of these.   The kids then did some reflecting and wrote some personal thoughts down- some highs and lows they have personally had.  They were also asked to come up with a few strategies that will help them, when they are caught in a "low" spot.  

3rd grade- study skills unit- #3

Helen the honeybee came back today to share a new message about the importance of being a good worker.  Today the message was about paying attention.  The kids learned from Helen about how the bees pay attention- they do special dances for each other to tell them where the flowers are.  The kids learned about the 5 bees of paying attention- 

1. "bee" looking at the speaker.  

2. "bee" listening to the speaker.   

3. "bee" quiet while someone is speaking.

4. "bee" thinking about what the speaker is saying.

5. "bee" signaling your readiness to pay attention by having your hands in your lap.

The kids completed an exit ticket on their iPads about what we learned today.

3rd grade- study skills unit- #2

Helen the honeybee came back today to discuss another important work habit.  The message she had to deliver today was about the importance of following directions.  The kids learned about how important it is for bees to follow directions- the directions are for making honey.  There are specific steps the bees have to complete, in order, for the honey to be made correctly.  Helen then connected this to the kids and their learning- it is important for kids to follow directions, too.  The kids then did an activity on their iPad, with the ClassKik app- they answered an exit ticket about what we learned today.

2nd Grade- Study Skills unit- #2

GWC checking chipmunk came back with another lesson!  Today his message was about the importance of setting goals.  The kids learned from GWS about the importance for chipmunks to set goals- to collect food for the winter- to be able to survive during the cold months.  The learned from GWC it is important for them to set goals in school, too.  GWC teaches the rules to setting goals- decide what task you want to accomplish, when you will start, and make a plan to complete the work.  The kids practiced writing a goal.  GWC will be back again to discuss another important work habit!

2nd grade- study skills unit- #1

2nd grade will be starting to discuss study skills, as a part of my academic curriculum.  During the 1st lesson, the kids met GWC Checking Chipmunk (named after George Washington Carver), learned a good work habits song and learned some fun facts about chipmunks.  The message today was the importance of "covering your tracks."  The kids learned how chipmunks must learn to cover their tracks- for their safety.  They connected this to their school work, and discussed the importance of going back and checking their work to look for mistakes and also to make sure all questions are answered. GWC will be back next time, to share another message about good work habits!

Colaco- 1st/2nd split- Study Skills #1

Ms. Colaco's class will be moving through a study skills curriculum, as a part of my academic curriculum.  They met Clover- the dog puppet today.  We talked about who Clover is, and how to be a champion at school.  The next few times Clover will be visiting and teaching the kids how to be a better student in school!

1st Grade- Study skills unit- #3

We continued our study skills unit with the penguin.  The kids learned about the importance of always trying.  They heard from the penguin about how penguins always show "trying power."  We talked about how hard it is to keep trying, especially when something is hard.  We did an activity in which we practiced "trying power."  The kids were given a blank mirror.  They were instructed to draw a picture of themselves in the mirror- with their eyes closed.  They had a partner to make sure they were doing the right thing!  The pictures turned out pretty funny, and we discussed that it was ok- because we tried through it!

1st Grade- Study skills unit- lesson #2

We continued our study skills unit with P. Revere Penguin.  Today we discussed the importance of staying on task.  We talked about what this means, and how our bodies can stay on task.  We practiced with a fun activity.  The kids were instructed to make cute little penguin finger puppets, while others in the class were "assigned" a task of trying to distract those working.  It was a fun time, and the kids loved the activity!  Ask your 1st grader how to stay on task!

Kindergarten- Study skills unit- lesson #2

We continued our unit with Earhart Owl.  The kids learned about the importance of paying attention.  We learned how to pay attention and practiced with a fun activity!

Kindergarten- Study skills unit- lesson #1

This lesson begins our unit of Study Skills.  This is part of my curriculum that addresses academics.  During this lesson, the students met Earhart the Owl (she's a puppet), learned a song about good work habits and learned some facts about owls.  The message today was about the importance of listening. We discussed what listening looks like and sounds like, and why it's so important to be a good listener.  There will be more lessons following with Earhart!

Kindergarten- Friendship

We read How to Dinosaurs Stay Friends? We talked about the qualities of a friend, and we wrote about what makes us a good friend.  Ask your kindergartner what they learned is a good friend!