2nd Grade: Mrs. Thompson

August 31-September 4: Social Smarts - Read the Room

🧠Activity: Students were introduced to the idea of “social smarts” and learning how to read the room by noticing what is happening around them and thinking about what others might need. Students learned the strategy Spot It. Think It. Do It. 

• Spot It: What do I see or notice?

• Think It: What might this person be feeling or thinking? What are all of my options?

• Do It: What choice should I make?

Students practiced their observation skills through a “detective” activity where they walked around the classroom, froze, and then looked for and pointed to something specific they were asked to spot. The activity connected their observation skills to everyday social situations and helped students understand how noticing others can guide positive choices.

💡Key concept: "Paying attention to others helps us make choices that help everyone feel seen, included, and like they belong. " 

🎯This week's objectives: 

• Understand what it means to use “social smarts” and read the room

• Practice noticing people, situations, and details in our surroundings

• Identify what someone else might be feeling or thinking

• Consider different choices before deciding what to do

• Understand how our choices can help others feel included and like they belong

September 7-11: Social Smarts - Red & Green Flag Behaviors

🧠Activity: We continued practicing “Spot It, Think It, Do It” through our red and green flag behavior activity and feelings charades. Students practiced spotting behaviors, facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, thinking about what those clues might tell us about how someone is feeling, and doing something kind, respectful, or helpful in response. These activities helped students strengthen their social awareness and recognize how our choices can help build positive friendships and make sure others feel seen, included, and valued 

💡Key concept: "We can use red and green flags to guide our friendship choices."

🎯This week's objectives: 

• Identify red flag and green flag behaviors

• Practice recognizing behaviors in everyday situations

• Recognize feelings through facial expressions and body language

• Understand how tone of voice can provide clues about feelings

• Practice using social clues to better understand others

• Understand how social smarts can help us build positive friendships

• Make thoughtful choices about who we choose to spend time with

September 14-18: Social Smarts - Social Smarts Detectives

🧠Activity: Students became “Social Smarts Detectives” and practiced using “Spot It, Think It, Do It” with different social situations. Students looked closely at pictures to spot what was happening or what might be wrong. They then used their “Think It” sheet to discuss how someone in the situation might be feeling, what clues helped them figure that out, and what that person might need. Finally, students talked about what they could do to help. This helped students practice looking beyond what they immediately see and using social clues to better understand and respond to others. 

💡Key concept: "Noticing social clues helps us understand and help others." 

🎯This week's objectives: 

• Practice using “Spot It, Think It, Do It” in social situations

• Identify important details and problems within a social situation

• Recognize possible feelings based on social clues

• Explain what clues helped identify how someone might be feeling

• Consider what another person might need

• Identify kind, helpful, and respectful ways to respond

• Strengthen social awareness and perspective-taking skills

September 21-25: Social Smarts - Social Smarts Detectives

🧠Activity: Students continued working as “Social Smarts Detectives” and finished their detective packets using “Spot It, Think It, Do It.” Students practiced spotting what was happening in different social situations, thinking about how someone might be feeling and what clues helped them know, and discussing what that person might need. We brought each situation back to what students could do to respond in a kind, helpful, or respectful way.

💡Key concept: "Social clues can help us decide what to do. " 

🎯This week's objectives: 

• Continue practicing “Spot It, Think It, Do It”

• Identify important clues within social situations

• Recognize how someone might be feeling

• Use social clues to explain why someone may feel a certain way

• Consider what another person might need

• Choose kind, helpful, and respectful ways to respond

• Apply social awareness skills to everyday situations

September 28 - October 2: Social Smarts - Putting It All Together

🧠Activity: Students wrapped up our Social Smarts unit by reviewing the skills we have practiced throughout the month. Students played a Four Corners game where they listened to different social scenarios and decided how they could respond by choosing one of four options: Say Something, Do Something, Get Help, or Give Space. After making their choice, we discussed why different responses might be helpful and how there can sometimes be more than one good way to handle a situation. Students used their “Spot It, Think It, Do It” skills to notice what was happening, think about what someone might be feeling or needing, and choose a helpful response.

💡Key concept: "Social smarts help us choose how to respond. " 

🎯This week's objectives: 

• Review skills learned throughout the Social Smarts unit

• Apply “Spot It, Think It, Do It” to everyday social situations

• Identify different ways to respond to social situations

• Practice deciding when to say something, do something, get help, or give space

• Recognize that there may be more than one helpful response

• Consider what another person may be feeling or needing

• Make kind, safe, and helpful choices when interacting with others