Autonomy

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

I am in charge of my own body.

Draw

Draw a way you like to use your body.

Extend

With the support of your Guide, perform some yoga moves.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

I am in charge of my learning.

Draw

Draw how you like to learn, or about something you’d like to learn.

Extend

Interview your classmates. How many students share your learning preferences? How many are different? Present your findings to your microschool.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

I am in charge of how I use my time.

Draw

Draw what you choose to do when you have free time.

Extend

Write out your morning and evening routine. Circle all the things you can do by yourself.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then fill-in-the-blanks:

Today for Conquer, I’m going to start with ____, then do _____, then do _____, and end with ______.

Draw

Draw your Conquer plan.

Extend

Reflect on how creating and seeing your Conquer plan helped you today. Share your thoughts with your Guide.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then say it aloud:

The thoughts I choose to think create the feelings I feel. I am in charge of my own feelings.

Draw

Draw a picture of you thinking about something and show on your face how you feel when you think about it.

Extend

Use card stock or another sturdy material, develop your own, custom emoji.

Write

What are two things you love to create? Do you like to do these things alone, with one friend, or in a group?

Draw

Think of what cooperation means to you. Draw a picture of your thoughts.

Extend

Have everyone in your microschool share how they like to work- alone, with a friend, or in a group. Make a bar graph of your microschool's results!

Write

What do you look like when you learn? Do you like to sit, stand, or lay down? Do you talk a lot or do you prefer to listen?

Draw

Use lines and colors to draw what learning feels like to you.

Extend

Using recycled materials, create a mixed media self-portrait that demonstrates how you look and feel when you learn.

Write

No one is perfect and we are all growing in different ways! What are two things that show your growth?

Draw

Create a picture of something you can do on your own that you couldn't do on your own before.

Extend

Do a Show-and-Tell with your baby photos! Show a picture to your microschool and reflect on how you have grown.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal and then fill-in-the-blank:

Something unique to me is….

Draw

Draw a picture of yourself shooting for the stars!

Extend

We all need lucky stars! Watch this tutorial on how to make an origami lucky star. Use them to decorate your microschool.

Write

Do you think your thoughts affect your emotions? Why or why not?

Draw

Draw a picture of a funny face. Label that face with an emotion.

Extend

Make a wacky face stress ball! Fill a balloon with play-dough. When it is full enough to squeeze, draw a funny face on the outside of the ballon.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal, then complete the sentence:

No matter hard it is, I can do this. I've demonstrated this before by...

Draw

Create a comic strip about a character who overcomes a challenge.

Extend

Pick up a new hobby! Try crocheting, painting, or collecting something fun.

Write

Copy this sentence into your journal, then complete the sentence:

I am prepared to be successful. I know this because...

Draw

Create a collage of the people, places, and things you need in order to be successful.

Extend

Create a playlist of songs about success. Think about what each song means to you.

Write

What does it mean to have self-control? What situations are hard for you to control? What are some things you can do to help you manage these situations?

Draw

Illustrate your favorite affirmation or mantra. If you have more than one, create a small book that will remind you that you are in control of even the hardest situations.

Extend

Test your self-control by shaking up your routine. Choose a behavior you would like to test and then test your habits. For example, if you watch too much TV, try reading for 30 minutes instead of watching a show.

Read

"Today I Feel Silly" by Jamie Lee Curtis

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

The end of this book says, "Whatever I'm feeling inside is okay." Do you believe that whatever you feel is okay? What are some of the ways you've felt this week?

Make

Name as many feelings as your class can! Write them down.

Read

"So Few of Me" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

Have you ever tried making a list of what you wanted to do? Let's make a list of what you want to do in Conquer time, or after school today. But remember, doing more is not always better! Leo says, "What if I did less--but did my BEST?" Is there something in Conquer that you need to slow down and do your best on?

Make

Take time to daydream as part of class today.

Read

"Cinder Edna" by Ellen Jackson

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

How does Cinder Edna use her autonomy, her choices, to make her life fun and full of joy?

Make

How would you change Cinderella's story? Write or tell a new version as a class.

Read

"Sky Color" by Peter H. Reynolds

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

When Marisol doesn't have any blue paint for the sky, does she give up? Or does make a different choice? When you don't get what you want, can you make a different choice? What color is the sky where you live when you wake up? RIght now? When the sun is setting?

Make

Do a Sky Color inspired Hands On Art.

Read

"Fanny's Dream" by Caralyn Buehner

Listen

Click here to view the read aloud.

Discuss

In the usual Cinderella story, a fairy godmother shows up and solves Cinderella's problems. Fanny has a dream to be like Cinderella, but her fairy godmother comes late. Or does she come late? Do you think Fanny is happy with the life she chose?

Make

How would you change Cinderella's story? Write or tell a new version as a class.

Read

“Beautiful” by William McGuffey

Discuss

Is one more important than the other (beautiful faces, hands, feet)? Explain your thinking.

Make

Write and act out a short play based on this poem.

Read a Picture Book

"Manjhi Moves a Moutain" by Nancy Churnin

Listen

Click here to listen to a read aloud.

Discuss

Is there something you can do to make things better for your family? How could you do it?

Make

Take time to plan an act of community service for your microschool. Show your Guide your plan and work together to make your ideas better.

Read a Poem

"Our Lips and Ears" by Unknown Author

Discuss

What does this poem have in common with the idiom "Bite Your Tongue?"

Make

Create an illustration for this poem.

Read a Quote

"In matters of style, swim with the current: in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson

Discuss

How can autonomy diffuse situations, especially in moments of compromise?

Make

In your journal, create a T-Chart. In one column, write the issues that you feel willing to compromise. In the other column, write the issues that you are not willing to compromise.

Read a Quote

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Maya Angelou

Discuss

What is the difference between surviving and thriving? How can autonomy play a role in success?

Make

Develop a missions statement for your own life. Write it down either in your journal or on a posterbaord. Decorate it and refer to it often.

Once Upon a Microshool

Using the phrase "Once upon a _______," begin a simple story, saying just one sentence. Then pass the story to the next person, who adds on a sentence of their own. Continue passing the story around from person to person.

I Have a Basket

The first player says, "I have a basket!" and all other players respond, "What do you have in it?" The first player mentions something that starts with "A." The next player repeats the process, but says something that starts with "B." The game continues through all the letters in the alphabet.

Drop the Handkerchief

The players stand in a circle holding hands. One player walks around the outside of the circle and drops a handkerchief (dishrag, stuffed animal, etc.) behind one of the players; that player instantly picks it up and pursues the one who dropped it. Once caught, the two players change places and the game continues as before.

Simon Says

If you need instructions, here is a cute video leading you through a few rounds. After learning the game, allow a student to lead.

Storyteller

Create a shared, common list of characters, setting, and plot. Think of a story and share it aloud. Make sure it includes each of the story elements on the list. When everyone has shared their story, compare and contrast how each student chose to incorporate the common details.

One Word Inspiration

Ask your Guide to give one word as a source of inspiration. Then, draw a picture, write a story, create a graphic organizer, write a poem, or create a song, based on the one word inspiration. (Examples of Inspirational Words Could be Family, Friends, Holidays, Nature, Kindness, etc…)

Autonomy Timeline

Create a timeline that shows the process of how you have become more and more autonomous since you were younger- what autonomy milestones have you reached and when? What can you now do independently that you couldn’t before?

Circle of Control

Break the group into partners or groups of 3 and ask them to complete the Circle of Control worksheet and identify things that are within and out of their control. The linked resource includes an example!

One Act

Break up the students into pairs or groups of 3. Ask them to write a short play/skit to act out about a student who is autonomous- choose a specific part of their day and show how they have autonomy.