How can we help build a resilient community?
TRP LAUNCH EVENING: WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?
Thinking about our driving question you are tasked with creating something for our community that shows you understand the three things that underpin The Resilience Project.
You will pick one aspect of G.E.M. to delve deeper into and complete the following:
Step 1: INDIVIDUAL
Create a short video or piece of writing that covers the main understandings for either G, E or M.
Step 2: GROUP WORK (Max 4ppl)
Working in a group (or individual - chat with your kaiako) we are tasking you with creating something physical that people can take away with them to remind them of one of the three aspects.
It could be, but not limited to the following ideas:
Brochures, page for a journal, mindfulness activity, keychain flip, mindfulness bracelets, jewellery, qr code with a link to you reading some calming stories…, podcast, painted rocks, bookmarks, bumper stickers, dreamcatchers ... BE CREATIVE BUT THOUGHTFUL
TIMELINE - By the end of this week you have worked out what GEM aspect you will delve deeper into, you have formed a group and have placed any items your group may need for your project on these lists:
IGNITE LESSON 1: HAPPY TRICKS
Unpack the main topics discussed
Create a poster about some ‘happy tricks’ that you utilise in your own life to boost your mood or help you feel happier. These might be as simple as spending time with pets or bigger things such as volunteering in the community.
IGNITE LESSON 2: GRATITUDE
Activity 1: Gratitude ABC's
On a piece of paper, write the letters A-Z down the left hand side of the page.
Try to write down something you are grateful for, starting with each letter of the alphabet.
Activity 2: Gratitude Letter
Think of somebody you are grateful for and write a letter to them explaining what it is you appreciate about them.
The letter may be to a classmate, teacher, family member or friend.
Challenge students to hand deliver, or better yet, read their letter to the recipient and experience the ‘warm and fuzzy’ feeling of oxytocin which is released when we do something nice for somebody else. (You will learn about this in the Empathy video).
Activity 3: GEM Mind Map
On a blank piece of paper, you are going to create a GEM Mind Map which you will add to after each video
Students might like to draw a GEM heading in the middle of the page, then add words and/or drawings of things they have learnt about gratitude from today’s presentation around the ‘G’.
Get creative
IGNITE LESSON 3: EMPATHY
Activity 1: Acts of Kindness Brainstorm
Separate the class into groups and assign them a location such as home, school, the community, etc.
On a piece of paper or poster, brainstorm as many acts of kindness as they can think of. These can be simple things like making someone a cup of tea, or more substantial like organising a food drive to help people in the community.
Share the ideas with the class and perhaps choose a couple to focus on for the week or term as a class.
Activity 2: Secret Friend Challenge
Put the names of all class members (including teachers and regular support staff) in a hat and have everybody select a name at random without telling anybody who they chose.
This person is their ‘Secret Friend’ for the week, and the challenge is to do nice things for the person without them knowing.
Examples might include putting a nice note on their desk or in their locker, helping them with their work or giving them a nice compliment - they don’t have to be big gestures or involve spending money.
Activity 3: GEM Mind Map
Add what you have learned about empathy to your GEM Mind Map from last session.
This might include key words, phrases, thoughts or pictures, branching off from the ‘E’ in your GEM heading.
Get Creative
IGNITE LESSON 4: MINDFULNESS
Activity 1: Mindfulness Brainstorm
In small groups, write down as many mindfulness activities as you can think of. They could be formal, such as meditation or origami, or informal such as paying attention to what you can hear when walking to school or brushing your teeth. Try and come up with activities which avoid screen time.
Groups share their responses and together, develop a full class list of ideas.
Identify two to three mindfulness activities which they can try at home over the next week.
Activity 2: Mindful Listening
Take the class outside to complete this mindfulness activity.
You might choose to go for a mindful walk, or just sit quietly on the ground.
Discussion afterwards how students found the practice.
Were they able to concentrate on the sounds around them?
How often were they distracted by other thoughts?
How do they feel after having completed the practice?
Activity 3: GEM Mind Map
Add what you have learned about empathy to your GEM Mind Map from last session.
This might include key words, phrases, thoughts or pictures, branching off from the ‘M’ in your GEM heading.
Get Creative