Social Emotional Learning

3/26/2021

Suggested activities can be repeated and you can choose what to enjoy at any time during the week.

I hope you enjoy them!

Book Club

Some of the groups have been listening to Smart Guess by Ryan Hendrix, Kari Zweber Palmer, Nancy Tarshis and Michelle Garcia Winner. In this selection, the students have been learning about the importance of looking for clues to figure out the "Group Plan". They look for clues they see, listen for clues they hear and think about what they already know to make a "Smart Guess". The story highlights that when we don't look, listen or think about the clues, we might make a "Wacky Guess" and may not be able to figure out the "Group Plan". The book itself is not available on YouTube but you may be able to take it out of the library either in book form or Kindle (or the like.) Here are some fun Sesame Street clips about making a Smart Guess Vs. Wacky Guess Feel free to point out clues that will help your child figure out the "Group Plan" when you do activities together at home or in the community.

A Joy Story - Joy and Heron In thinking about making "Smart Guesses", watch this clip again with your child. Ask your child if the characters missed some important clues to help him understand the other character's perspective. Did they use the clues they saw, heard or think about what they know to figure out what was causing the dog to bark? Or the heron to take the fish?

An "Oldie but Goodie" title for the Kindergarten students! Share and Take Turns by Cherie J. Meiners, M.Ed. offers simple and easy explanation of the different ways we can share with our friends.

In first and second grades, we read Flexible and Stuck Thinking by Ryan Hendrix, Kari Zweber Palmer, Nancy Tarshis and Michelle Garcia Winner. This YouTube clip provides a good explanation of the concept taught in this book. Flexible Thinking Vs. Stuck Thinking Feel free to help your child make connections with the concept of identifying the "Size of the Problem" and importance of being flexible when solving problems.

Why We Lose Control of Our Emotions In this quick clip, the author explains the concept of "Flipping a Lid" and what happens in our brains when our emotions take over. Some of the second grade students have been reading from this power point . Flipping A Lid

Print, cut out these Calm Down Strategy Cards and make a book for easy reference if you can't think of a good strategy to help navigate a difficult moment.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness exercises can be done at any time! I generally guide the students in the beginning and sometimes at the end of each lesson. These brain based exercises can help bodies and brains remain calm and focused. This year's series of mindfulness exercises largely came from a collection titled "Little Renegades."

This month, our mindfulness exercise is "Turtle Taps." Students are asked to sit tall in a chair and pretend the top of their head is a turtle shell. They are asked to tap the top of their heads lightly with their fingers and then think about how it feels. This helps us focus on the sensation. One can also tap their forehead lightly which, for some, can be calming.

Spring Bucket List! Here you will find activities that are both fun and mindful!

Recreational SEL

How Are Books Made? Mystery Science Reading a book or looking at pictures can be a calming activity. But did we ever stop to think how books are made? Watch Mystery Science and find out how!

Here is a Spring Feelings Book activity to help practice using our emotional vocabulary in sentences. The more kids practice, the easier it will be for them to articulate how they are feeling in the moment. Enjoy!

Music!

My Walrus Does Not Want to Wait A catchy song about the importance of sharing and taking turns! When we don't share and take turns, it makes others uncomfortable and unhappy and they might not want to play with us!

Parent's Corner

Andrea Lowen Nair - "After School Restraint Collapse" Has your child ever come home from school and just completely unravel or melt down? In this article, Ms. Nair, a counseling psychologist, provides a nice description, explanation and some strategies to help your child transition from school back to the home environment. (These strategies may also be helpful in other circumstances as well!)