MONTHLY SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL EDUCATION LESSONS
TOPIC FOR April: Learning how to deal with "Put Downs" and Teasing
In class this month, students will be discussing strategies to deal with "put downs" and teasing. The focus of the lesson is to help students recognize the choices they have in responding to teasing and "put downs" and to empower students by giving them tools to know how they can respond to hurtful behavior in a productive way. As a class we will discuss times when students have felt unwelcome, left out, or hurt at school and talk about how it can feel when that happens. We will read and discuss the book Simon's Hook by Karen Gedig Burnett and practice the 5 "swim free" strategies for dealing with teasing outlined in the book (as well as learning how to use an "I statement") through role-playing activities.
Home learning: Ask your student to describe a time someone hurt their feelings at school and ask them how they handled it. You could also ask your student to tell you about the "swim free" strategy they learned during the lesson this month that they think would have been the most helpful in that situation.
Books to share with your child about dealing with teases and put downs: Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewing; The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman; Marleen, Marleen, the Queen of Mean by Jane Lynch; Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy; Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig; Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends by Patti Kelley Criswell; Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig; Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes; Enemy Pie by Derek Munson; Just the Way You Are by Marcus Pfister
In class this month, students will be discussing strategies to deal with "put downs" and teasing. The focus of the lesson is to help students recognize the choices they have in responding to teasing and "put downs" and to empower students by giving them tools to know how they can respond to hurtful behavior in a productive way. As a class we will discuss times when students have felt unwelcome, left out, or hurt at school and talk about how it can feel when that happens. We will read and discuss the book Simon's Hook by Karen Gedig Burnett and practice the 5 "swim free" strategies for dealing with teasing outlined in the book (as well as learning how to use an "I statement") through role-playing activities.
Home learning: Ask your student to describe a time someone hurt their feelings at school and ask them how they handled it. You could also ask your student to tell you about the "swim free" strategy they learned during the lesson this month that they think would have been the most helpful in that situation.
Books to share with your child about dealing with teases and put downs: Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewing; The Bully Blockers Club by Teresa Bateman; Marleen, Marleen, the Queen of Mean by Jane Lynch; Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy; Just Kidding by Trudy Ludwig; Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends by Patti Kelley Criswell; Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig; Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes; Enemy Pie by Derek Munson; Just the Way You Are by Marcus Pfister
TOPIC FOR March: DEVELOPING EMPATHY: Standing in Someone Else's Shoes
In class this month, students will be discussing DEVELOPING EMPATHY. Students will learn what the word "empathy" means. As a class we will discuss how having empathy means understanding how someone is feeling because you imagine what it is like to be them or what it is like to "stand in their shoes." Each class will read the book Stand in My Shoes by Bob Sornson and then will have the chance to practice putting themselves in someone else's shoes by imagining what feelings a person might have in different situations. (i.e.: His puppy is sick = worried; Her birthday party is today = excited, etc.)
Home learning: Children learn empathy both from watching the adults in their lives demonstrating empathy and experiencing empathy from them. Ask your student to describe what empathy means. Some ideas of ways to model and build empathy for others at home include:
Books to share with your child about developing empathy: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña; Just Because by Amber Housey; A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip Stead; Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley; Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Joung Un Kim and Soyung Pak; Amos and Boris by William Steig; Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen; The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig; Enemy Pie by Derek Munson; Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose and Hannah Hoose; The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
In class this month, students will be discussing DEVELOPING EMPATHY. Students will learn what the word "empathy" means. As a class we will discuss how having empathy means understanding how someone is feeling because you imagine what it is like to be them or what it is like to "stand in their shoes." Each class will read the book Stand in My Shoes by Bob Sornson and then will have the chance to practice putting themselves in someone else's shoes by imagining what feelings a person might have in different situations. (i.e.: His puppy is sick = worried; Her birthday party is today = excited, etc.)
Home learning: Children learn empathy both from watching the adults in their lives demonstrating empathy and experiencing empathy from them. Ask your student to describe what empathy means. Some ideas of ways to model and build empathy for others at home include:
- Having family meetings. Hold family meetings when there are family challenges or conflicts, and in those meetings give children a voice and encourage them to take the perspective of other family members. Listen carefully to your children’s views and ask your children to listen carefully to the views of others.
- Encouraging empathy for peers. Ask children about their classmates and other peers. Ask children when they’re in conflicts with peers to consider their peers’ perspectives.
- Reflecting on empathy and caring. Notice with your child when you’re together and someone exhibits strong empathy—or shows a lack of empathy—either in your daily life or in a book or on television. Discuss why acts of empathy are important and why lacking empathy can be harmful.
- Discussing ethical dilemmas. Discuss with your child ethical dilemmas that help them appreciate various perspectives, e.g., “Should I invite a new neighbor to my birthday party when my best friend doesn’t like her?”
- Supporting "doing with." Encourage children not just to do service, to “do for” others, but to “do with” others, working with people of different backgrounds to respond to community problems.
Books to share with your child about developing empathy: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña; Just Because by Amber Housey; A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip Stead; Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley; Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Joung Un Kim and Soyung Pak; Amos and Boris by William Steig; Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen; The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig; Enemy Pie by Derek Munson; Hey, Little Ant by Phillip M. Hoose and Hannah Hoose; The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss
TOPIC FOR FEBRUARY: DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET: Bossing Back Your Inner Bully
In class this month, students will be discussing DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET. Having a Growth Mindset means understanding that talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching, and persistence rather than simply having a natural ability or aptitude. Each student will have the opportunity to think about and discuss the unhelpful things we might say to ourselves when we face a challenge and how to change our thoughts to more helpful ones. We will discuss what it means to have an Inner-bully: the voice in your head that says things to us that are really unkind, unfair or untrue and we will brainstorm ways we can boss back our inner-bully. After watching the video "Ormie the Pig" (linked below), each class will talk about how our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions are connected and how we can change our feelings and actions if we adjust our thoughts.
Home learning: Ask you student "How do you feel when you are about to try something new?" or "How do you feel when you think something is difficult?" Share with your child a time that you struggled to learn something or master a new skill and talk about what was difficult for you and how you felt when you succeeded. Remember to praise effort rather than outcome. When your child comes home from school you can ask questions such as: "What did you do today that made you think hard?" or "What mistake did you make today that taught you something?"
Books to share with your child about developing a growth mindset: Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak; The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires;The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Marc Pett; Beautiful Oops by Barney Salzburg; A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell; It’s Ok to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr; Stand Tall Mary Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell; Someday Eileen Spinelli; The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop; Snowflake Bentley Jacqueline Briggs Martin; Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae; The Ok Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt; The Dot by Peter Reynolds
In class this month, students will be discussing DEVELOPING A GROWTH MINDSET. Having a Growth Mindset means understanding that talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching, and persistence rather than simply having a natural ability or aptitude. Each student will have the opportunity to think about and discuss the unhelpful things we might say to ourselves when we face a challenge and how to change our thoughts to more helpful ones. We will discuss what it means to have an Inner-bully: the voice in your head that says things to us that are really unkind, unfair or untrue and we will brainstorm ways we can boss back our inner-bully. After watching the video "Ormie the Pig" (linked below), each class will talk about how our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions are connected and how we can change our feelings and actions if we adjust our thoughts.
Home learning: Ask you student "How do you feel when you are about to try something new?" or "How do you feel when you think something is difficult?" Share with your child a time that you struggled to learn something or master a new skill and talk about what was difficult for you and how you felt when you succeeded. Remember to praise effort rather than outcome. When your child comes home from school you can ask questions such as: "What did you do today that made you think hard?" or "What mistake did you make today that taught you something?"
Books to share with your child about developing a growth mindset: Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak; The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires;The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Marc Pett; Beautiful Oops by Barney Salzburg; A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell; It’s Ok to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr; Stand Tall Mary Lou Mellon by Patty Lovell; Someday Eileen Spinelli; The Tortoise and the Hare by Aesop; Snowflake Bentley Jacqueline Briggs Martin; Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae; The Ok Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal; Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt; The Dot by Peter Reynolds
TOPIC FOR JANUARY: HOW TO HANDLE BIG FEELING
In class this month, students will be discussing HOW TO HANDLE BIG FEELINGS. Each student will have the opportunity to learn about what feelings are, name several different kinds of feelings, and discuss appropriate ways to handle or cope with his/her own BIG feelings at school. We will learn a breathing strategy called "Hot Cocoa Breathing" (smell the hot cocoa = inhale; blow on the hot cocoa to cool it = exhale). Each class will also create their own list of ideas of things children can do at school to help themselves calm down.
Home learning: Ask you student what s/he does to feel better when they have a BIG, UNCOMFORTABLE feeling at school. What about at home? Ask him/her to show you how to do "hot cocoa breathing." Share some of the things you do to help yourself feel better when you have uncomfortable feelings with your child, too!
Books to share with your child about FEELINGS: Zach Gets Frustrated by William Mulcahy; Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns its Ok to Back Away by Howard Binkow; The Way I Feel by Janan Cain; Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberly; Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri Meiners I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer; How to take the Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick; Calm Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick; I Am So Angry I Could Scream by Laura Fox; When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang; Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubinstein; Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
In class this month, students will be discussing HOW TO HANDLE BIG FEELINGS. Each student will have the opportunity to learn about what feelings are, name several different kinds of feelings, and discuss appropriate ways to handle or cope with his/her own BIG feelings at school. We will learn a breathing strategy called "Hot Cocoa Breathing" (smell the hot cocoa = inhale; blow on the hot cocoa to cool it = exhale). Each class will also create their own list of ideas of things children can do at school to help themselves calm down.
Home learning: Ask you student what s/he does to feel better when they have a BIG, UNCOMFORTABLE feeling at school. What about at home? Ask him/her to show you how to do "hot cocoa breathing." Share some of the things you do to help yourself feel better when you have uncomfortable feelings with your child, too!
Books to share with your child about FEELINGS: Zach Gets Frustrated by William Mulcahy; Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns its Ok to Back Away by Howard Binkow; The Way I Feel by Janan Cain; Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberly; Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri Meiners I Was So Mad by Mercer Mayer; How to take the Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick; Calm Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick; I Am So Angry I Could Scream by Laura Fox; When Sophie Gets Angry, Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang; Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubinstein; Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
TOPIC FOR DECEMBER: KINDNESS
In class this month, students will be discussing KINDNESS -- what it looks like, what it sounds like, and how it feels. Each student will have the opportunity to think of an idea of a "gift of kindness" they can give their family, their classroom, their school, or their community and will write (or draw) that idea on a holiday ornament to take home as a reminder.
Home learning: Continue the conversation at home. Ask your student if s/he has witnessed or performed any acts of kindness in their home or at school in the last few days. You might also ask what types of things people who are kind may say. For example: "How can I help?", "Do you want to join us?", "You can go first.", "Are you ok?" Ask your student how s/he feels when she does something kind for someone else or someone does something kind for him/her. You can share your experiences with kindness with your child, too!
Books to share with your child about KINDNESS: The Lion and The Mouse by Aeosop; Have you Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud; The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace; A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip Stead; Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson; Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena; Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts; Ordinary Mary's Extrodinary Deed by Emily Pearson; The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein; What Does it Mean to be Kind by Rana Di Orio
In class this month, students will be discussing KINDNESS -- what it looks like, what it sounds like, and how it feels. Each student will have the opportunity to think of an idea of a "gift of kindness" they can give their family, their classroom, their school, or their community and will write (or draw) that idea on a holiday ornament to take home as a reminder.
Home learning: Continue the conversation at home. Ask your student if s/he has witnessed or performed any acts of kindness in their home or at school in the last few days. You might also ask what types of things people who are kind may say. For example: "How can I help?", "Do you want to join us?", "You can go first.", "Are you ok?" Ask your student how s/he feels when she does something kind for someone else or someone does something kind for him/her. You can share your experiences with kindness with your child, too!
Books to share with your child about KINDNESS: The Lion and The Mouse by Aeosop; Have you Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud; The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace; A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Phillip Stead; Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson; Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena; Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts; Ordinary Mary's Extrodinary Deed by Emily Pearson; The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein; What Does it Mean to be Kind by Rana Di Orio
TOPIC FOR NOVEMBER: CONFLICT RESOLUTION
In class this month, students will be learning 4 steps they can use to resolve conflicts peacefully. Each class will read the book Talk and Work it Out: Learning to Get Along by Cheri J. Meiners and practice solving different types of problems that students often face at school like what to do when a friend you usually play with doesn't want to play on the playground with you or what to do when someone cuts in line in front of you. These same steps can be used at home to help children learn how to peacefully find solutions to problems.
Home learning: Talk to your student about the 4 steps to resolving a conflict: 1. Get calm 2. Talk about the problem using an I feel statement (I feel _____ when you _______.) 3. Listen to the other person 4. Think of a solution. Ask your student how s/he could apply the following steps to problems/conflicts s/he might face at home. For example: What would she do if a brother or sister took something important to your child without asking? What could he do if during a playdate a friend hurt his feelings ?
Books to share with your child about how to resolve a conflict/problem solving: The Knight and the Dragon by Tommy De Paola; Andrew's Angry Words by Dorothea Lachner; Spink Sulks by William Steig; Let's Be Enemies by Janice May Udry; Matthew and Tilly by Rebecca C. Jones; The Apple War by Bernice Myers; The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss: Herbie's Troubles by C.Chapman; That's Mine by Elizabeth Winthrop
In class this month, students will be learning 4 steps they can use to resolve conflicts peacefully. Each class will read the book Talk and Work it Out: Learning to Get Along by Cheri J. Meiners and practice solving different types of problems that students often face at school like what to do when a friend you usually play with doesn't want to play on the playground with you or what to do when someone cuts in line in front of you. These same steps can be used at home to help children learn how to peacefully find solutions to problems.
Home learning: Talk to your student about the 4 steps to resolving a conflict: 1. Get calm 2. Talk about the problem using an I feel statement (I feel _____ when you _______.) 3. Listen to the other person 4. Think of a solution. Ask your student how s/he could apply the following steps to problems/conflicts s/he might face at home. For example: What would she do if a brother or sister took something important to your child without asking? What could he do if during a playdate a friend hurt his feelings ?
Books to share with your child about how to resolve a conflict/problem solving: The Knight and the Dragon by Tommy De Paola; Andrew's Angry Words by Dorothea Lachner; Spink Sulks by William Steig; Let's Be Enemies by Janice May Udry; Matthew and Tilly by Rebecca C. Jones; The Apple War by Bernice Myers; The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss: Herbie's Troubles by C.Chapman; That's Mine by Elizabeth Winthrop
TOPIC FOR OCTOBER: HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND
In class this month, students will be learning about what it means to be a good friend. Each class will create its own "friendship soup" and discuss the choices and behaviors that serve as the "ingredients" to developing strong friendships.
Home learning: Watch the short 3 minute video below with your child(ren) and discuss what makes someone a good friend. You might ask what kind of qualities your child look for in a friend? Find out what kinds of things your child has done to be a good friend to someone and something that a someone has done for your child that shows s/he is a good friend. Bonus question: Ask your child to describe how they felt when that happened.
Books to share with your child about friendship: Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel; George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshal; Friends by Rob Lewis; Friends by Helme Heine; Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes; Horace and Morris but Mostly Delores by James Howe; Enemy Pie by Derek Munson; Feelings by Aliki; The Best Friends Book by Todd Parr; How to Keep a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurene Brown; Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller
In class this month, students will be learning about what it means to be a good friend. Each class will create its own "friendship soup" and discuss the choices and behaviors that serve as the "ingredients" to developing strong friendships.
Home learning: Watch the short 3 minute video below with your child(ren) and discuss what makes someone a good friend. You might ask what kind of qualities your child look for in a friend? Find out what kinds of things your child has done to be a good friend to someone and something that a someone has done for your child that shows s/he is a good friend. Bonus question: Ask your child to describe how they felt when that happened.
Books to share with your child about friendship: Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel; George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends by James Marshal; Friends by Rob Lewis; Friends by Helme Heine; Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes; Horace and Morris but Mostly Delores by James Howe; Enemy Pie by Derek Munson; Feelings by Aliki; The Best Friends Book by Todd Parr; How to Keep a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them by Laurene Brown; Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller