Our social-emotional curriculum, Second Step, teaches students about a series of steps (using the acronym S.T.E.P.) for solving problems (whether they be interpersonal, personal, or group problems). I have found that, after explicitly teaching about each of the steps, using these steps with the class has been helpful in solving problems together. With enough practice…
The students were very excited to see each other this week after our winter break! To start 2018 off on a positive note, my students participated in some cooperative games. I wanted us to practice teamwork, compromising and collaboration skills. We learned how to play the cooperative board game Hoot Owl Hoot! This is…
A long-held tradition among Quakers is silent meeting. During this time, community members come together and settle into a shared silence. During the silence, everyone tries to connect with their innermost best self and enjoys a shared sense of fellowship. If someone is moved to speak to the group, they may do so and the…
Our final theme lesson of the year centered on what we treasure in our hearts, including what we treasure about ourselves and others. This week, students decorated shoe boxes to make their own treasure chests. Afterwards, each student wrote a short note to every peer in their class, saying what they treasure about them. The…
Problems arise in any classroom and part of my job is helping kids learn to deal with them. In an effort to establish some common language within our classroom surrounding problem-solving, I have begun to identify the size of a problem as “pebble,” “rock,” or “boulder.” Pebble problems can be solved on one’s own. Rock…
Last week, my students learned a new vocabulary word: sensationalize. The usual best practice approach to teaching vocabulary is to wait until students have grasped a new concept before introducing the word that describes it, and this is a concept we’ve come to know well lately! As a morning message last week, I asked the…