October 2016 Guidance
Fall is here!
This month in kindergarten at both York and Jefferson we are learning why feelings are important. We are also learning that people can have different feelings about the same situation. Students are learning to read each others facial cues to determine how another student is feeling. This skill lays the foundation for empathy and enables students to make choices that help them better relate to each other.
In first grade at both schools and also kindergarten at Jefferson we are also learning about social thinking. Good social thinkers can read other people's intentions, behaviors, and emotions, in such a way that it helps them gradually understand how to become better friends and problem solvers among their peers. It's a slow process, but we are working through the 5 book series We Thinkers (formerly The Incredible Flexible You) Students that are better "social thinkers" are happier, make better choices, and are more successful in life.
In Second Grade at York we are learning how to handle anger more effectively. Students will learn several strategies that are proven effective if they choose to use them. We will also study how your attitude will have a huge impact on your day.....and your life. We will read the book : The Very Angry Day That Amy Didn't Have by Lawrence Shapiro.
In Second Grade at Jefferson we have also been thinking about our thinking and the power of having a positive attitude. We read the book Be Positive by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed. We'll also talk about the value of flexible thinking. Specifically, we are learning about the power of flexible thinking as opposed to inflexible thinking. The students are learning to defeat Rock Brain, Glassman, and other challenges we all face with their Superflex thinking strategies. We will read Superflex Takes on Rock Brain and the Team of Unthinkables. It's a creative way for kids to label their challenging, stuck, frustrating situations and define strategies that help them learn to overcome those struggles.
In Third Grade at York we will learn about bullying. We will watch the video But Names Will Never Hurt Me by Thomas Brown. We will learn where bullies get their power from, how to safely take power away from bullies, 6 strategies to use with bullies, and when to get help. Students will also make a commitment to do their best to help make our school bully free.
In Third Grade at Jefferson we will be working through the books You Are A Social Detective by:Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke, PhD and What is a Thought? by Amy Kahofer and Jack Pransky. We'll learn about the concepts of social thinking and how our own thinking can create opportunities or problems. We'll learn how our own thoughts have a powerful effect on our lives.
This month in kindergarten at both York and Jefferson we are learning why feelings are important. We are also learning that people can have different feelings about the same situation. Students are learning to read each others facial cues to determine how another student is feeling. This skill lays the foundation for empathy and enables students to make choices that help them better relate to each other.
In first grade at both schools and also kindergarten at Jefferson we are also learning about social thinking. Good social thinkers can read other people's intentions, behaviors, and emotions, in such a way that it helps them gradually understand how to become better friends and problem solvers among their peers. It's a slow process, but we are working through the 5 book series We Thinkers (formerly The Incredible Flexible You) Students that are better "social thinkers" are happier, make better choices, and are more successful in life.
In Second Grade at York we are learning how to handle anger more effectively. Students will learn several strategies that are proven effective if they choose to use them. We will also study how your attitude will have a huge impact on your day.....and your life. We will read the book : The Very Angry Day That Amy Didn't Have by Lawrence Shapiro.
In Second Grade at Jefferson we have also been thinking about our thinking and the power of having a positive attitude. We read the book Be Positive by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed. We'll also talk about the value of flexible thinking. Specifically, we are learning about the power of flexible thinking as opposed to inflexible thinking. The students are learning to defeat Rock Brain, Glassman, and other challenges we all face with their Superflex thinking strategies. We will read Superflex Takes on Rock Brain and the Team of Unthinkables. It's a creative way for kids to label their challenging, stuck, frustrating situations and define strategies that help them learn to overcome those struggles.
In Third Grade at Jefferson we will be working through the books You Are A Social Detective by:Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke, PhD and What is a Thought? by Amy Kahofer and Jack Pransky. We'll learn about the concepts of social thinking and how our own thinking can create opportunities or problems. We'll learn how our own thoughts have a powerful effect on our lives.
