Social Emotional Learning During the Summer 7/20/2020

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

I hope you enjoy them!

Activities to Choose From For All Grades

Book Club

Be Polite and Kind by Cheri J. Meiners What does it mean to be polite? and kind? This week's Book Club title breaks it down for our littlest readers to better understand how and why people are polite and kind toward one another. Extend the discussion to rules and even rules in different places. What does it mean to be polite and kind when at home? at a friend's house? at school? at the library? in the grocery store? What is the same for each environment and what is different?

Recreational SEL

Chalk Spray Recipe Have some outdoor fun with this recipe! Try the spray on different surfaces (e.g., paper, your driveway, a piece of wood or a rock...) and have your child practice mindfulness through observing the differences. How about the difference between wet spray and once it has dried?

Field Trip!

Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History's "Ology" Site for Kids Visit the American Museum of Natural History from the comforts of your home! In this segment, children can explore the science of dinosaurs. There are many chapters to choose from and there is something for everyone in the family! Make some popcorn and enjoy some family time together watching, exploring and creating!

Optional Fun Activities

What is a thermometer and how does it help us? Let's look at all of the different ways we can use a thermometer? What is the temperature outside? What is the temperature inside? What is your body's temperature? And what is your Emotional Thermometer ? Have fun thinking of all the ways you can measure a temperature! Extension: Have your child make an "I message" after "taking" his or her emotional temperature. Practice while calm and comfortable so the words come easily when problem solving. Students will need prompting with "I messages" so feel free to start them off with "I feel....when...because...I want..." and allow them to fill in the blanks. There are no answers when stating how one feels!

Sew a Softie! Help your child learn to sew! What does sewing have to do with social emotional learning? I am "sew" glad you asked! For starters, patience, following steps in directions, focus and attention to task, problem solving, asking for help, executive functioning (e.g., getting started, sticking with an activity and finishing) are skills that a child will learn while having fun. Take a picture of your "Softie" and share it with me? lisa_hunt@wrsd.net and if your child is comfortable, I will share with others!

Five Ways to Help Your Child Learn to Solve Problems An easy how to! Print out and hang in a place for easy reference. And, as always, feel free to add!