April & May
We've been busy! In grades 1-5 we have been learning how to recognize and replace negative self-talk (brain bullies) with positive self-talk (our brain coach). We read the book, Brain Bullies , by Brett Novick, which teaches that negative thoughts are much like having a bully inside your brain. We discussed some common brain bullies (negative thoughts) such as:
"Jumping John" - thoughts that the worst thing is going to happen.
"Mia Me" - thoughts that everything is our fault.
"It's Not Fair Frank" - thoughts that nothing is fair.
"Shirley Should" - thinking that we should always be the best at everything and never make a mistake.
"General George" - thoughts of quitting if we don't succeed after only trying something once.
"Blaming Bob" - thoughts that everything is someone else's fault.
"Gloria Grey" - all or nothing thinking...things are either perfect or terrible, never just okay.
When we recognize that we're thinking negatively, it's important to think to ourselves, "what would a great coach say in this situation?" This helps us as we try to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.
In Kindergarten and 6th grade, we are talking about the transition students are making to 1st grade and middle school. It's been so much fun talking about what to expect, common worries, and how to prepare.
6th graders practiced opening combination locks, and were given 3 tips to help them be successful in junior high/middle school...
1) Stay Organized
A little organization goes a long way in Jr. High. Staying organized will help you study, turn in work, and do better on tests.
2) Get Involved
Find something you like to do and do it. Clubs, sports, music, or interacting with new people.
3) Ask for Help
You will discover that there are adults (and peers) at your school who are ready and willing to help! Seek them out. Now relax, and start working on those skills that will make for an easier transition into Jr High/Middle school. May the FORCE be with you! :)
March
This month we are learning to set goals, stay motivated, think critically, and plan ahead. When students believe that they can achieve a goal through persistence and hard work, they learn to be resilient and that overcoming small failures can lead to larger successes. This topic is a great follow-up to my Growth Mindset lesson in January.
Jabair Jumps by Gaia Cornwell
Salt in His Shoes:Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream by Deloris Jordan
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Keats
The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett
Last month we learned about growth mindset and perseverance. This month we are focusing on having more control of what we think and say. A key part is knowing the
importance of thinking before we say things that might hurt others' feelings. During
this lesson students will learn strategies to help them build and maintain positive
relationships. We talk about perspective; what it means, and how when we are not considering others' perspectives, we might say things that hurt someone else's feelings. Part of this includes "pausing" and thinking of how we would feel if someone made a comment we are thinking of saying, to us.
My Mouth is a Volcano: This book teaches children about not interrupting and empathy. https://youtu.be/oiyi2jpkJwE?t=122
Clark the Shark: Clark the shark is enthusiastic about everything, sometimes a little too much! His teacher helps him figure out when he needs to keep cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgZRMptA0Lk or https://storylineonline.net/books/clark-the-shark/
Saying What You Mean: (11 Minutes) May be especially appropriate for students who struggle with basic social skills - A thorough explanation of how non-verbal communication and tone of voice works to convey meaning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hnLfnulwZw
Alfie-The Turtle that Disappeared: This story is told first from the perspective of a young girl, but then switches to that of her pet turtle. A great look at how we often only understand what we see and think, but there might be two sides to the story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU1Xb6-h3ko
Interrupting Chicken: - Papa tries to read the little chicken a story, but he keeps interrupting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX-42mh8UK8
A Tale of Two Beasts: When a little girl rescues a strange beast from the woods, she takes him home. But for some reason, the little beast is not happy! There are two sides to every story, and this funny and charming tale is no exception. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cutROw_NJvE
I Can’t Believe You Said That: This boy learns to use his social filter to decide what should be in his “talking bubble” vs. his “thinking bubble” video here
The Day You Begin: Several classmates show how they feel different or isolated in their classroom, then come together when they are brave enough to share their stories. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM3DesXftrQ
We started out the new year with a lesson on growth mindset and perseverance. A growth mindset is the foundation of every learning environment. Students with a growth mindset are proven to be happier and achieve more in life. They are more willing to take on new challenges, have a passion for learning, and view failure as an opportunity for learning and growth. A growth mindset is essential to becoming a successful lifelong learner and it is something that can be developed with practice. Teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education, and sports. It enhances relationships, and increases achievement. (source: www.mindsetworks.com)
I encouraged each student to think of something they'd like to improve on at school and something they'd like to improve on or learn outside of school. I will be following up with them in February (and in the months to come) to see how they are doing with this challenge.
Dr. Carol Dweck, a researcher at Stanford University, has identified two beliefs systems about intelligence:
A fixed mindset is one where we believe that our innate abilities, talents, and intelligence are fixed. We are either good or talented at something or we are not. We can certainly learn new things, but this particular skill or subject is not really our “thing”.
A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence, skills, and talent are malleable, and they can change with effort, perseverance, and practice. Neuroscience explains this as neuroplasticity. We can all get “smarter.”
Beautiful Oops! By Barney Saltzberg
I Can't do that Yet By Esther Pia Cordona
After the Fall By Dan Santat
The Most Magnificent Thing By Ashley Spires
Jabari Jumps By Gaia Cornwall
Salt in his Shoes By Delores Jordan
Here is a link to my January 2022 Counselor Newsletter for more Growth Mindset resources.
In November and December, we have been learning that all emotions are ok! What’s most important is that we express and regulate them in appropriate ways. I'm teaching students “the power of pausing” and paying attention to what emotion they are feeling. Pausing is especially important when we are experiencing intense emotions, such as anger. As we pause and calm down first rather than react in the moment, we will make better choices as we express our emotions.
We also discussed tools and strategies to help us calm down when we are experiencing uncomfortable or intense emotions. The students shared some great ideas that work for them!
The Power of Pause Exercise:
Have your child “pause” through the day and ask them how they are feeling in that moment. If they experienced big emotions, talk with them how they handled them. Choose to talk about ways to calm down during a time when they are not currently experiencing intense emotions. Telling a child (or anyone) to "calm down" in the moment they are angry is not helpful.
When Miles Got Mad (Identifying, expressing, regulating emotions)
Puppy in my Head (Mindfulness) Fred’s Big Feelings
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr (K-2)
How Do Dinosaurs Say I'm Mad Expressing emotions
Sometimes I Feel Like a Storm Cloud Identifying and expressing emotions
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days Coping Strategies
My Magic Breath Mindful Breathing
A World of Pausabilities Taking a Mindful Pause
The Lemonade Hurricane - A Story of Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindful Bea and the Worry Tree
Today I Feel (Alphabet book of Feelings. K-1)
Here at school we have been very busy learning about feelings and emotions- what they are and how we can recognize them in ourselves and others. Learning happens best when it is done both at school and at home. I have included ways that you can help your child continue to learn about the theme of feelings through reading about it, talking about it and practicing it. We look forward to exploring this topic at school and I hope your family will enjoy it just as much.
Suggested Home Activity:
Play twister with your kid(s). Each color on the spinner represents a zone of emotion.
Red is when we feel a loss of control (angry, terrified, yelling).
Yellow is when we have pleasant and energetic feelings (happy, excited, playful).
Green is calm, easygoing, cozy, relaxed.
Blue is low energy (tired, sad, bored).
When the spinner lands on a color, have your child name a time they were in that color zone and then place their hand or foot on the twister board.
Little Spot of Feelings
The Color Monster
My Body Sends Signals
In My Heart
Anxious Ninja
The Way I Feel
Marcy’s Having All the Feels
Me and My Feelings
Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods
I am Stronger than Anxiety
I AM (who and what you are...examples are: son/daughter, student, hard worker, kind, courageous)
We discussed the importance of self-identity and how it helps us feel confident in ourselves and gives us a sense of belonging. Although we are all unique, knowing who we are helps us relate to others better. We are still discovering everything about ourselves though.