January Classroom Guidance

In Kindergarten at both schools we will continue learning and practicing strategies to calm down from strong feelings.  We will learn the most effective ways to use: deep breaths, counting, safe place, and self-talk. We will also learn how we can solve problems easier if we calm down first.  We will be using some materials from the Second Step Curriculum. We will also watch part of a video called "How Not to Fight".  We will learn why it is to our advantage to avoid fights and solve problems by changing our thinking, and using our words.

In First Grade at both schools we will be learning about tattling.  How do we know when we can handle the problem ourselves and when do we need help from an adult?  We will learn why tattling can make us lose friends.  We will see how to tell when something is a kid sized problem and when we need to get help from a grown-up.  We'll read the book Don't Squeal Unless it is a Big Deal by Jeanie Franz Ransom and take a quiz together to practice identifying which category various problems fall into. At Jefferson we will also continue to learn about bullying.  We are learning how bullies get more power and how to safely take it away.  We are learning 6 strategies to help students handle bullying effectively.  We are also learning that some kids do things that make themselves a big target for bullies, while other kids do things that make themselves a very small target. 

In Second Grade at York we are reading the book, "Simon's Hook: A Story About Teases and Put-downs"  Ask your child about going to "Fish School".  The book demonstrates 5 ways to handle teasing.  At Jefferson we will be learning about ways to solve problems with materials from the Second Step Curriculum.  We will learn some steps that help us make the best choices when solving a problem. 

In Third Grade  we will be continuing to learn creative ways to catch ourselves when we are falling into thinking traps.  We will learn things we can do to overcome thinking errors that interefere with our lives.  We will read the books:  Superflex Takes on Rockbrain and the Team of Unthinkables by Stephanie Madrigal, and Superflex Takes on Glassman and the Team of Unthinkables by Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia Winner.