May 2015

K-4th Grade -- Benchmarking Lesson

(1) Read hello! hello! by Matthew Cordell

intro to putting down screens and talking and being more a part of the world around us, live and in person vs. digital presence

(2) follow up with options of other ways to spend our time vs. being on a screen -- pass out cards and have students share with a partner about what else to do besides time on a screen

(3) Play "Life of an Object" -- Pick an ordinary object for you to tell a story about. Describe how old you are? Where did you come from? What do you do?

(4) Wrap up with balance and how to stay in balance. Topple game or tree, eagle, stork posture to practice balance.

(5) Read more stories: Fix It, The Day the TV Got Broke, Power and Glory, Todd's TV

Read more about Screen Time Awareness Week: http://www.screenfree.org/

What can you do NOT involving a screen?

jump on a trampoline

invite a friend to play

play with a brother or sister

play dress up/pretend

exercise

clean your house

draw, art projects

sing and dance

talk with your family

eat healthy food

sleep

boat ride

ride your bike or scooter

enjoy a long bath

participate in sports

play with stuffed animals

trip to the zoo or museum

PHES Cougars have lots of GGGRRReat ideas!

1st Grade -- Final Hurrah! Hurrah! Lesson

(1) 5 Things to Remember about 1st Grade

*Connection -- spider's web game -- Alone or Connected?

*Animal Friends -- Which one should you be? Why?

*What is ON and OFF when you are a good listener?

*How do you solve a problem with a friend?

*What are YOU in Charge of?

(2) Drawing for Sunshine -- review winners' comments!

Move like the sun: Standing -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5POltBH6Jo or Seated -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbhTmAygygs

(1) Folding the body--soothes and relaxes the nervous system

(2) Holding muscles still and strong is strengthening and calming for an overexcited, overstimulated body

(3) Rolling shoulders back and down, stretches the chest open & counteracts all the activities we do that round the back and collapse the chest (driving, eating, computer work, texting, etc). This stretching and opening of the chest lifts your mood too.

"Moving Like the Sun" includes all of these movements!

(3) Play "Bowling for Butterflies" or "Magic Shoe" (depending on weather)

Plenty of Planks -- Which one will you choose? These help the "happy juice" (neurotransmitters) flow in your brain so you can do some better thinking!

(4) Read I'm Bored! by Michael Ian Black or I Don't Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty

(5) Mindful Moment -- "crystal ball" -- sight, "magic listening bells" -- listening, and "Five Breath Vacation," p. 30 Stress Relief for Kids: Taming Your Dragons by Martha Belknap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8H2oUdi5yI Take time to reflect and process for your best health, best self!

Kindergarten -- Final Hurrah! Hurrah! Lesson

(1) Mrs. Honey's Hat by Pam Adams, share with props

Bad stuff happens. How we will be ready? All the good stuff we've learned this year! Pay attention -- tune in -- notice what's happening! Mrs. Honey doesn't notice . . .

(2) Relive "Sticks and Stones" by Porkchop Productions -- review 3 strategies

(3) Paying attention -- wood chime, listening bells, singing bowl -- give your brain and body a chance for all we've learned to help you make the better choice!

(4) Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry

(5) If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

(6) Sunflowers for Teachers