4/30 - We listened to a story called I Am Not a Fish and talked about labels and identity.  We discussed how society sometimes used labels to categorize or group individuals and that can sometimes be stereotyping.  We discussed the importance to listening to individuals and understanding what or how they want to be described.

4/16 - 4/13 - Our character trait of the month is Honesty.  We worked on defining honesty through examples from school experiences.  We discussed "white lies" and filtering thoughts in a kind and honest way.  We listened to a story called Dhira about a rabbit who liked to tell creative stories but suffered the distrust in a tricky twist.

Week of 3/23 - We focused on problem solving per staff feedback for our lessons.  We discussed various appropriate problem solving strategies: voting, create a schedule, taking turns, rock paper scissors, flipping a coin, etc.  We completed a randomized problem solving prompt by selecting our own scenarios and using question prompts to respond.  

For example, three students want to go on the same ride at the patrol picnic but the ride only has space for a pair together.  Then, students picked two random questions ie respond to - ie, imagine you had a magic wand.  How would you use the wand to help the scenario?  What would be different?

Week of 3/3 - Our March character trait of the month is Patience.  We defined and described patience.  We completed various activities of individual student selection to stretch our patience.  Activity choices were: mazes, word finds, color by number mandalas.

2/12 - In follow-up to the data reviewed at a recently Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) meeting from 5th graders and parents surveys, we completed more conflict resolution practice.  We engaged in charades where teams competed against each other in acting out emotions and specfic scenarios.  We had a LOT of fun.

Week of 1/12 - We completed a community circle like open share and discussion reflecting about how the year is going and where most of us are feeling the most stress.  We discussed areas where we can each take more personal responsibility and places where we can work as adults in the building to help student feel better supported.

Week of 12/8 - MCPS wide, centrally created Personal Body Safey Lessons (PBSL) were completed this week.  Fifth graders learned about vocbaulary terms such as types of neglect or abuse.  We discussed rights within the state of MD and USA such as access to shelter and medical care.

Week of 10/13: We discussed ways we can show respect.  We reviewed examples of problem solving peaceful as a way to demonstrate mutual respect.  We also reflected about our Mindfulness Toolkits.  Check out some of our resourceful tools!

Week of 9/15 - 5th graders learned about neurodiversity and a Peace of Mind lesson about Mindful Listening