I wanted to share these important steps to building resilience. This applies to children as well as adults. (Found this on Pinterest, so I can't take credit! : )
0 Comments
Happy October! It’s National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/ and at Findley Oaks, our theme is Be a Buddy, Not a Bully. If bullying situations arise, our students use this simple formula:
Talk, Walk, then Tell. TALK: If you're feeling bullied, talk to the person who's being mean and ask him or her to stop. Use an I-statement that might go something like this: I feel scared when you chase me. I need you to stop. WALK: If your words don't work, walk away, preferably toward a trusted adult in case you need assistance. TELL: If you are unable to solve the problem by yourself, report the incident to an adult. We're also teaching our students to be upstanders, not bystanders. If they see bullying happening, students can gather together (like a swarm of bees) and befriend the victim by surrounding him or her and getting them out of that situation to a safe place. (Of course, they would go and get an adult to go with them if it were physical in nature!) Please talk with your child at home about this important subject, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Standardized testing is a major part of your child’s education. These tests are important, not only to you and your child, but also serve to guide instruction and class placement. Stressing the importance of the CRCT will push your child to do his/her best.
In addition, here are some effective tips to aid them with optimal performance. 1. Reassure your child that he/she does not have to answer all of the questions correctly to pass. 2. Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blanks. There is no penalty for guessing. 3. Remind your child that the test is important. 4. Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If you child gets stuck on a question, encourage him/her to make the best guess or place a mark in the test booklet by that item, and to go back to it after finishing that section of the test. 5. Make certain that your child gets a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast each morning of testing. Also, remember to have your child to school on time each day, to avoid last minute rushing. Students in grades 1-5 are engaged in learning about the 17 Career Clusters. The majority of lessons are taking place on the Portaportal. This is a great tool, which can also be accessed in the classroom or at home. To access the portal:
www.portaportal.com Guest Access Login: katehernandez Welcome back everyone, and we're off to a busy, but productive start to 2014! In all grade levels, we're kicking off our Career Cluster lessons. Students are beginning to explore their strengths and interests, and connecting those with some of the thousands of job titles. In Kindergarten, students are role playing community helper titles. In grades 1-3, students are using Paws in Jobland - http://paws.bridges.com/cfnc1.htm -to explore job titles and interests. In 4th and 5th grade we'll use GCIS Jr.- www.gcic.peachnet.edu - to create individual portfolios, and ask three very important questions: "Who Am I?" "Where Am I Going?" and "How Am I Going to Get There?" Ask your child about these lessons, and stay tuned for more information!
In 4th and 5th grade, students are learning to combat negative peer pressure by learning and practicing the Big 10. These are ten strategies for dealing effectively with peer pressure. They are: 1. Just Say No 2. Leave 3. Ignore 4. Make an Excuse 5. Change the Subject 6. Make a Joke 7. Act Shocked 8. Use Flattery 9. Give a Better Idea and 10. Return the Challenge
We'll practice using each strategy by developing role plays to demonstrate them. It is my hope that all students will feel confident in standing up for themselves and living by one of my favorite quotes: "What is popular isn't always right. What is right isn't always popular." Please take some time to discuss these strategies with your child and as always, thank you for your continued support. In Kindergarten and First Grade, as well as in our groups, we are learning about Anger. We're learning about what our body feels like when we are angry. We're also learning to identify our anger triggers, or what makes us feel angry. Finally, we're learning about strategies to manage our anger. We've talked about:
-Reading -Exercise -Writing about our feelings -Taking deep breaths -stretching -Taking a 2 minute vacation -Shouting into a pillow -Talking with a friend or a grown up -Listening to music -Pounding Play Doh -Drawing or painting -Quiet time in our room -Being outside in nature -Playing with a pet All of these (and more) can help your child to release angry feelings! In grades 2-5, we are learning about handling conflict, teasing and put downs. Students are learning the definition and causes of conflict, and specific skills for managing common student problems. For conflict, there are nine specific strategies which are being taught. They are: 1. Steer Clear 2. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff 3. Get Help from an Adult 4. Compromise 5. Think Win-Win 6. Apologize 7. Choose by Chance 8. Agree to Disagree and 9. State Your Feelings.
Students will learn these skills, and role play scenarios in order to practice them. Please discuss these strategies with your child, and give them the valuable skill of conflict management. I recently read a fantastic article in New York Magazine called The Inverse Power of Praise, by Po Bronson, which I found very interesting.
I'll share some of the highlights: -Self awareness of being smart doesn't always translate into confidence with schoolwork. In fact, the opposite is often true. Children who are recognized and rewarded for simply being smart, often are reluctant to try new things that don't come easily. -Why does the child who is measurably at the top of the charts, lack confidence about his/her ability to tackle new challenges? Research has shown that a large percentage of gifted students severely underestimate their own abilities. This may be due in part to the type of praise which is given to children. -In a clinical study conducted by Carol Dweck of Colombia University, children who were praised for being "smart" at something, performed lower than children who were praised for their effort. -According to Dweck, "emphasizing effort gives a child a variable that they can control. They come to see themselves as in control of their success. Emphasizing natural intelligence takes it out of the child's control, and it provides no good recipe for responding to a failure." ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) testing will begin the week of October 21st for grades 3 and 5.
Standardized testing is a major part of your child’s education. These tests are important, not only to you and your child, but also serve to guide instruction and class placement. Stressing the importance of the ITBS will push your child to do his/her best. In addition, here are some effective tips to aid them with optimal performance. 1. Reassure your child that he/she does not have to answer all of the questions correctly. 2. Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blanks. There is no penalty for guessing. 3. Remind your child that the test is important. However, understand that this is just one measure, and doesn't show the entire picture of your child's capabilities. 4. Explain to your child the importance of using time wisely. If your child gets stuck on a question, encourage him/her to make the best guess or to place a mark in the test booklet by that item, and to go back to it after finishing that section of the test. 5. Make certain that your child gets a good night’s sleep and a healthy, hearty breakfast. |
AuthorKate Hernandez, School Counselor Archives
July 2023
Categories |