December
The focus of classroom lessons during this month will be KINDNESS, Friendship, Empathy, and Perspective Taking.
Students (depending on grade level) will be able to understand the power of kindness, how to offer kind acts, how to ask questions to understand what someone needs, and what empathy is.
In 4th Grade we will also dig deeper into understanding and respecting differences and perspective taking. Students will begin to see the connection between our experiences and our perspective. Students will learn how to ask questions, actively listen, and learn from others and their differing perspectives. Perspective taking is a critical component for true empathy and kindness and our 4th graders dive into this conversation!
Understanding the value of treating others with kindness , as well as, perspective taking are critical social skills that assist in the development of empathy in our students. As stated before, empathy is a crucial foundation for healthy communication and interpersonal relationships. As students develop their empathy and perspective-taking skills, they are in a better position to have positive peer relationships, be a respectful learner in the classroom, and a better support to others. Having a greater degree of empathy and understanding of others, helps students respond and act respectfully toward others. We continue to foster the development of empathy in all our students beginning with emotion recognition in the younger grades and expanding their understanding with each year!
These skills have a direct link to a greater feeling of connection and higher achievement in school.
Remember: If you would like to expand your students understanding of these topics, check out the home link sheets under curriculum. In addition, try reading books about feelings, talk about feelings with your child, and consistently provide insight into other people's feelings and how they might be different from our own.