March 2017: Grade 3 - Teasing

 

For our first Social-Emotional lesson in third grade, I introduced a new book - The book The Tease Monster . This is a story teaching children to identify the difference between teasing and bullying. This is such a difficult topic since there can be a fine line, and what feels mean to one child, may be funny to another. Understanding the difference can help develop friendship skills and advance social emotional learning. Children must learn how to react to both types of teasing -- when to laugh along with it, ignore it, or get help from a trusted adult when it becomes bullying. Kids also learn how their own words can be misunderstood or hurtful and to watch what they say.

In the story the character (the number 1 named "One of Kind!!"), runs into several problems at school. He tells his mother the things that happened at school and how he feels. Mom explains the difference between a "nice tease" and a "mean tease." This book helps students identify the difference by using specific examples. The mother then gives her son advice on how to handle each kind of situation and identify whether it may be bullying, mean teasing or nice teasing. It is helpful for kids to see a few examples of how to handle real-life examples of bullying and teasing.

March 2017 - Grade 1: Don't Blow Your Top!

In elementary school, we spend a lot of time helping children learn how to identify and manage powerful emotions. Anger can be an overpowering feeling, and for many children it is the Achilles Heal of their school day. There are just so many things that can happen that seem unfair! First graders are listening to "Soda Pop Head" by Julia Cook this month. 

His real name is Lester, but everyone calls him Soda Pop Head.Most of the time he is pretty happy, but when things seem to be unfair his ears gets hot, his face turns red and he blows his top! Lester’s dad comes to his rescue by teaching him a few techniques to loosen the top and cool down before his fizz takes control.  Lester struggles when things feel unfair to him - people cutting him in line, his sister using his video game. His reaction when presented with these situations is WAY out of proportion to the problem. 

This is made worse when other children see him start to lose control and 'push his buttons'. We discussed what that expression means, and how we can be better classmates by not aggravating others and adding to an already difficult situation. 

Classes are also working on identifying :