ACTIVITES

Appreciation Chain

variation #1: Have students share something they appreciate about a classmate. When they share, they link arms with that person. Teacher may need to facilitate a bit, so that eventually a whole class chain circle is formed. You may want to have students write appreciations about every classmate before the activity begins.

variation #2: Have students and teacher stand in a circle with linked arms. The teacher will start by sharing an appreciation to either the student on the right or left. That student then keeps the appreciations going around the circle. Writing appreciations before starting the game is helpful.

Pink Bubble

Sit in a circle with backs straight, hands resting on knees. Students can sit criss cross or with knees bent, feet under their bottoms. Encourage students to close their eyes, think about a disappointment or a feeling that is bothering them. Instruct students to imagine putting that thought into the pink bubble. With eyes still closed, watch the bubble float away saying a silent wish as it disappears.

QUESTIONS

How do you know when your caregivers are feeling stress? What does it look like? Sound like?

When people you love are feeling stress, how does it change the way you feel? How do you react?

What do your caregivers do to ease their stress?

What do you do to ease your stress?

Self-talk can be negative or it can be positive. Share a time when you were feeling negative about something and were able to use positive self-talk to turn your thoughts around.

We all have insecurities or negative beliefs about ourselves (abilities/appearances/family). Share an insecurity you have had to overcome. (save this one for when your students are feeling exceedingly safe in the classroom).

One way we bounce back from hard things is to use someone in our support network. It’s important to have a big support network. Share five adults you are willing to talk to about challenges and successes.

Share a difficult event that you’ve experienced. How did experiencing this difficult event benefit you or make you stronger?

Think of a difficult event in your life. What did you learn from it? What might you do differently if a similar even were to occur in the future.

We’ve all experienced challenges in our lives. What helps you believe in yourself?