Fifth Rotation of Lessons

This rotation, I will be discussing sharing from the EC classes up through grade 1.  I read "It's Mine!" by Leo Lionni to the EC classes, and "The Zax" by Dr. Seuss to the KG.  Taking turns, and talking through solutions for sharing can be difficult for our younger students.

For grades 2-5, we'll continue with the "Bag of Tricks," which contains strategies for dealing with teasing.  In 2nd-4th, we'll read "Blue Cheese Breath and Stinky Feet" which the main character, Steve, deals with an aggressive boy named Gus.  With his parents, Steve makes a plan to deal with Gus.  The Plan includes the following:  keep away, ignore the bully, stay with friends, stand up straight and tall, look up not down, be strong, use power words like their name, make a joke without teasing back, shout so others will hear, or tell an adult.  The 5th grade read a book about aggression between girls called "My Secret Bully," which is a more complicated plot about exclusion and manipulation from a formerly good friend.  I find that it is beneficial to have these discussions, and bring these topics out in the open.  It can help kids deal with it more effectively if it happens to them in the future.

Thanks for contributing to the Dar Al Attaa'a Food Drive! 

This rotation in my lessons, I'm talking to the EC classes about what to do when they are angry.  The characters in the stories do several things to help themselves calm down, such as:  go outside and exercise, take a few deep breaths, talk about what is bothering them, and being by themselves.  We also talked about going to their rooms and punching a pillow, or yelling into a pillow.  In grades 2-5, we are extending the Talk-Walk-Squawk lesson, and we are looking at several alternatives to walking away when they are teased, such as:  using humor, ignoring, saying "So?", agreeing, responding with a compliment, or standing up for yourself.  They will be doing some acting this week to practice these strategies.

This Week

This rotation we are continuing to discuss "Talk, Walk, Squawk" and how to use "I messages."  Giving others feedback without saying anything mean in return can be a challenge.  Using the I-message is just one tool for them to try, especially when the issue is with a friend.  Basically, you fill in the blanks:  I feel _________, when you ________.  The first blank must be a feeling word, the second blank describes the other person's behavior as precisely as possible.

Take a look at Lillie's ES Newsletter for details about the Food Drive for Dar Al Atta'a.  Last chance to give is this coming week!