Today we worked on context.  Specifically, each class decided on how to respect one person speaking at at time, how to pick partners, how to share class supplies, and how we were going to resolve conflicts. We also worked on our Game of the Week.

Game of the Week: Secret Handshake
This is a two-person game.  The youngest person goes first.  Decide who is youngest before beginning.  The goal of the game is to create (and remember) a complex handshake that both players make-up as they go along.  The twist is that neither player is allowed to speak.  The handshake can include hand slaps, snaps, shakes, wiggles, head nods, and anything else you can do while standing in one place and remaining silent.

• Player 1 creates the first part of the handshake. Practice until firm.
• Player 2 adds a second step of the handshake. Practice until firm.  Then practice step 1 AND step 2 until firm.
• Player 1 adds a third step.  Practice until firm. Then practice step 1 AND step 2 AND step 3 until firm.
• Player 2 adds a fourth step. Practice until firm. Then practice step 1 AND step 2 AND step 3 AND 4 until firm.
• Repeat until there is an unrecoverable error on someone's part.
  

How many steps can you add before one of you starts to forget?
In what ways can we be kind and understanding when our partner messes up?

Riddle of the Week:
Why did King Kong climb the Empire State Building?
Because he was too big for the elevator.

Homework for parents:
Please take a few minutes and think of three social skills that your child is working on.  I have hundreds of games and activities to choose from, and I want to tailor the class to each child's needs.  Some examples of what I am looking for are: trouble with sharing or taking turns, cheating,  impulsive speaking, knowing when to be silent, asking for help, resolving conflict with peers, speaking in front of a group, starting a conversation, greeting new people, dealing with bad luck, sore winner/losers, expressing feelings (and when not to), and dealing with peer pressure.  You need not pick from this list- this is only to give you an idea of the genre.

I would also like to be able to occasionally serve snack in class.  I plan to serve apple juice and graham crackers.  If your child has special juice or cracker needs, let me know so I can get the right stuff.

Please email the social skills list and snack approval to melina@3676.net.

Homework for kids (always optional):
Bring your answer to the Riddle of the Week, and if you like, bring a new riddle to share.