Coffee Chat: Child Protection and Keeping our Children Safe

Photos from our most recent coffee chat on Child Protection and Keeping our Children Safe!
HERE  are the resources.

STEP Problem Solving Song

 Below please find a link to the STEP Problem Solving Model song. 

Grade 3 Continues Problem - Solving!

Students have been introduced to the STEP Model and are now practicing how to solve their "small problems." During our lesson together they are working with partners using their problem-solving "kits."

Their "kits" include the same posters to help them with problem solving on the playground. 

Feel free to use these same ideas and language at home!

             

Do you know what a Social Filter is?

Occasionally Mrs. Wright and I have students or classes who need reminders about what their "Social Filter" is. Do you know what it is?

We all have TONS of thoughts in our brains at all times, but our social filter helps us to decide which ones should stay in our brains and which ones are okay to say out loud. I demonstrated this to a G5 class using sand and pebbles. The mean words and phrases stayed in the filter while the kind or socially acceptable words were fine enough to go through the filter. Making sure our social filter is turned on helps us to have friends and get along with others.

Want to learn more or read a great book on this topic with your children? 

We recommend this book by Julia Cook 

Problem Solving and Calming in G4

Grade 4 is working on Problem Solving! We learned how to differentiate between big and small problems. Small problems are those problems students build their "toolkit" to solve using the STEP Model, choices featured in the Kelso's Choice problem-solving wheel, and the "I-Message."

Small problems typically make students feel annoyed, sad, frustrated or angry. Just because they're "small" problems doesn't mean they are not important problems. Trusted adults are always available to help if students have used their tools and they are still unable to solve these problems or need help in using their tools.  

Big problems are those problems that make students feel scared or worried if someone is being hurt or they are afraid something or someone is going to be hurt or damaged we want students to go to a trusted adult right away.

Grade 4 is starting to practice using mindfulness strategies to calm down in those moments of high emotion so they can be more successful problem solvers. High emotions sometimes cause small problems to become big problems. Practice, practice, practice! Students are encouraged to practice breathing strategies so they will be more likely to work in those moments they need them. Ask your child about times they think they might need to use their strategies. 

Students listened to the STEP song to remind them of their STEPs. Enjoy!

Welcome 3JH!

New students from 3JH have lunch and play games in my office! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our new students and their many special talents and interests. We continue to have new students join ISKL throughout the year so please remember to invite them for play dates and help their families feel included in our wonderful community.

                                                                                               

Integrity in G5

In Grade 5 we are discussing topics such as integrity during our counseling time together.  During this stretch before break sometimes students become impatient with one another and may need reminders about what an important role they play as Red Hat leaders in modeling expected behavior with one another and across the school.

During our integrity lesson, two unsuspecting students were given M&Ms and juice. However, what was represented on the outside was not actually what was on the inside. Instead, students expressed feeling disappointed, upset and grumpy when instead they got pebbles and water.

It's water...how disappointing!

In the same way, students revisited their role as Red Hat leaders and what that should look like and sound like in their behavior and how the reality of their behavior should match who they say they are as Red Hat leaders. The vast majority of our students are doing the right thing! We want to commend our students for continuing to act with integrity during those transition times and spaces where they could choose to make unexpected choices.

Use this a conversation starter at home. It's never too early to talk about the importance of integrity!