Mindful Joy and Hot Chocolate!

This year we are focusing on Mindfulness for 4th graders and this week we learned about "Mindful Joy".  Our breathing exercise of the lesson was "hot chocolate breathing" - and their homework is to teach at least one person how to do this breathing exercise, so hopefully you have already heard about this  😏
Students also did a mindfulness exercise when they envisioned the hot chocolate, taking deep breaths, and envisioning things that bring them joy.  After we walked through this exercise, students wrote down four different things in their lives that bring them joy.  We discussed how paying attention, or being mindful, to these things that bring us joy improve our mood and can help us appreciate all that we have to be grateful for.  Students glued these "marshmallows" to a "cup of joy" and will be bringing them home. 
Because students did such a great job of imagining hot chocolate, I surprised them with an actual cup... many had mentioned during the exercise that they thought they could really smell the hot chocolate in the room - turns out, they were right!! 

Watercolor Worry Monsters!!!!

One of my favorite creative counselors to get ideas from is "Counselor Keri" and this idea for her Worry Group was exactly what I was looking for as I began my "Worry Warriors" group this month with 2nd and 3rd graders! Counselor Keri Worry Group Art Activity.  She got the idea from this site, which gives other ideas for creating monsters using watercolors, straws, and stickers: Watercolor Monsters.

After we went over introductions and created group rules, each student got a piece of watercolor paper, two small round stickers and a straw.  I instructed them to put the two stickers on as if they were "eyes".  The next step was getting enough watercolor paint on their papers, which was a bit of a challenge, so I had to help them with that part!  Students then blew through the straw to push the watercolors every which way on the paper - leaving a messy looking paper. 

We let the papers dry until the next session and their homework was the "name" their worry.  I encouraged somewhat silly names, ones that would at least make them giggle a little bit!

"Personifying" worry allow students to "talk" to their worry and to tell it to leave them alone.  When we recognize we are getting anxious or nervous about something, we can say "Hey, Betsy, Leave me alone right now.  I've got this."  Separating themselves from their worry allows them to see that they can be in control and not let worry boss them around. 

Thank you to Counselor Keri for such a fun activity that had my kids asking all week long "When is our next group??"

"Fantastic Elastic Brains!"

When a school counselor walks into a craft store and spots a squishy brain in the Halloween toy section, they cannot help but buy several for their Growth Mindset lessons!!! 😄

Our 2nd graders have been learning about growth mindset and how important it is as learners to understand that our brains are constantly growing and getting stronger when we try challenging things!  In our last lesson, we read the "Your Fantastic Elastic Brain" by JoAnn Deak Ph.D and Sarah Ackerley.  It talks a lot about the different parts of the brain, which is always fun for me to teach!  Students know parts like "amygdala", "cortex" and "hippocampus" and how these parts of your brain help you learn, grow, and keep you safe.

We will continue to talk about how our brains work to help illustrate just how pliable they are and how growth mindset is scientifically backed.

Mindfulness for 4th grade!!

This entire year, 4th graders are learning about mindfulness.  We are learning new breathing techniques each lesson and will add on grounding exercises when we reach that point.  This week, we talked about mindful gratitude.  Taking a moment to just think about the things we are grateful for.  As a busy adult, I can attest to doing this quite poorly.  Studies show that doing a "gratitude journal" can actually increase your quality of sleep, improve your mood and your heart health!  We watched this interesting video that talks about the science of gratitude The Amazing Effects of Gratitude   We then did a "Gratitude Scavenger Hunt" where students were asked to reflect on 15 different things they were grateful for that was "in nature", "someone you love", "something that makes a beautiful sound" etc.

Has your 4th grader taught you our breathing exercise of the day? It is their homework for Life Skills! 😉  Last time, we learned "Dragon Breathing" and this time we learned how to "Finger Breathe".  I encourage all students to at least try this in class and then to teach one other person after class.  I then tell them they never have to do it again after that if it isn't calming for them.  By learning one new breathing exercise each lesson, students will be exposed to many different ways to breathe mindfully and hopefully find at least one that they like doing!

 Finger breathing with 4th graders!

How do you make goal setting EXCITING? You THROW things!!! 😄

3rd graders have been learning how SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely) can help them find success in everything they do.  We have been breaking down the acronym and spent a lesson on "Specific" and "Measurable" already.  Today we demonstrated why it is important for our goals to be possible and rewarding, thanks to one of my favorite activities from Tom Jackson's Activities that Teach.

First, we talked about a time we tried something that was challenging and we succeeded - how did you feel?  "Proud", "Excited", and "Relieved" made the top of the lists. 

Next, students were challenged to toss beanbags into a bucket when they were about a foot away.

Not surprising, students got all three in their bucket and said it was "Too Easy".  There were no feelings of "Pride", "Excitement", or "Relief"!  

Next, students were asked to toss the beanbags from the other side of the room.

Turns out, this didn't fill students with pride, excitement, or relief either... because no one got anything into their bucket!  This challenge was "too hard" or "not attainable".

We discussed afterwards how this part of SMART is kind of like the "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" part of setting goals.  Goals need to be "just right" - not too hard, not to easy!  

As we continue to talk about setting goals, we will be referencing this activity to make sure we are choosing goals that are attainable and rewarding/relevant!

2nd grade Listens to their Mindset!

Prior to beginning our big unit on Growth Mindset this year, I used the "Paper Challenge" to get a sense for what our "mindset" is in 2nd grade. I constructed several "paper sculptures" (with the help of YouTube!) and set them around the room, asking students to replicate them WITHOUT being able to touch them.  All they were given was cardstock and scissors.

While students were attempting to reconstruct this themselves, I wrote down the things I was hearing them say.  "This is impossible!" with "But if Mrs. Flier did it, it has to be possible!" as a retort.  "This is too hard!' "Can I try again?" and "I don't get it" were among the common responses.  Afterwards, we talked about what our response is to having challenges and what that means for a "Growth Mindset" vs. "Fixed Mindset".  Students also took a "pre-survey" to reflect on how they currently handle challenges.
Many kids said they wanted to challenge their parents, so see if you can figure out the trick! :)

Mix It Up Day!

On October 22nd, we celebrated "National Mix It Up Day" with millions of other kids around the globe!  Each student received a DumDum sucker prior to sitting down at lunch.  Each table had a sign with a flavor on it, so students found the table that matched the flavor they were given.  The idea was to have kids sitting with other peers they might not otherwise sit by.  There were conversation starter questions on each table and it was fun to hear the chatter between new friends!
For more information on Mix It Up Day, visit Teaching Tolerance

3rd Graders and Specific Goals!

Third grade will be focusing on creating SMART goals for the next several lessons in life skills.  We are breaking down what SMART stands for (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely) and starting with "Specific".  Students learned what it means to have a "specific" goal and demonstrated their learning by sorting examples of goals into "specific" or "not specific" categories and discussing why.  Students then began to write about what specifically they would like to improve in this school year!  Find the curriculum on Teachers Pay Teachers here!

1st Graders Review How to be an UPStander!

First graders read "Super Manny Stands Up" by Kelli DiPucchio to review the importance of being an UPStander.  We also watched the NED Show about UPStanders to remind students they can 1) Be a Buddy, 2) Interrupt, 3) Speak Out or 4) Tell Someone when they see mean or bullying behavior occurring. 
In Super Manny Stands Up, our little superhero (who turns out to be a very brave UPStander!) wears superhero capes to feel brave so our students each drew what their "UPStander" cape would look like!

2nd Graders Learn to Use the Peace Path

Second graders are learning how to use the Peace Path in Life Skills class this week and next!  While we have a Peace Path painted on our playground outside, we also have large yoga mats with the Peace Path printed on them that kids can use when they're inside.  The Peace Path helps students talk through conflicts they might be having - whether it is a communication breakdown between two friends, classmates who are having trouble working on a project together, or someone having hurt feelings because of the actions of another. 
The main key to the path is using "I" statements and sharing how you feel instead of starting with "You".  I share my example of telling Mr. Flier "You never do the dishes!!" vs. "I feel frustrated when the dishes aren't done and I'd like you to help me" 😀 . They laugh of course, but it is a "real life" example of where I could use my own advice and use the Peace Path language instead!
Students made up their own scenarios and did a fantastic job going through the Peace Path!

3rd Graders Appreciate their Differences!

Last 3rd grade lesson in Life Skills, we read "Where Oliver Fits" by Cale Atkinson.  In the story, Oliver, a puzzle piece, can't seem to find where he fits in a puzzle.  He tries making himself fit in and finds that it just doesn't seem to work.  Third graders discussed why it is important to be ourselves and what it would be like if our "true" self was a missing puzzle piece in our class!
Afterwards, each student colored a puzzle piece to represent themselves - and the results were quite beautiful!

Kindergarten Learns to Use the Buddy Bench!

Our Kindergarten class learned how to use our Buddy Bench last week in Life Skills! We even went out on our playground to practice using it!
We read "Peanut Butter and Cupcake" and talked about how Peanut Butter had a plan, tried asking at least one person to play, and then sat on a bench!  When Jelly finally arrived and asked him to play, he said "Yes!"
Students are all welcome to use our Buddy Bench when they are finding it difficult to join in a game with peers.  We have a rainbow Buddy Bench on our "upper playground" and also have a red Buddy Bench on our other playground (what we call the "Cinderlot")

Reviewing Our Tools!

Welcome Back!!  Our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders have been reviewing the problem solving tools they have been taught since Kindergarten.  These tools help us solve "small" problems - those that kids can solve themselves.  We also acknowledge that there are problems that are "big" and require help from a grown up.  These might not necessarily be emergencies, but things an adult would be better suited to help us with (i.e. I forgot my lunch!).

Students created different scenarios, identified the size of the problem, and what tool they could use to help solve the problem.  We then compared small problems to rocks and big problems to bricks.  One very strong volunteer came to the front and as we shared our group's scenarios, we added a brick or a rock for them to hold.  It became quite heavy, as you can imagine!  We talked about how with all of these in our hands, we couldn't go run and play at recess, we couldn't do our homework, and we couldn't comfortably visit with friends.  By talking about the tools we could use, we took each brick or rock off, one by one.  

Students were encouraged to identify their problems this year as rock problems/small problems (ones you can solve yourself!) and brick problems/big problems (find an adult!!)

Groups!

Every year I start off running "New Student Groups" which is more of a casual group where we eat lunch together but gives me the chance to check in with new students to see how they're doing, answer any questions they might have, and ensure they are feeling supported here at Willow as they transition into our building. 
I also begin my "Family Change" groups right away in the fall.  Some parents reach out to me at different points in the year to inquire about such groups, which is helpful since I do not always know the family dynamics - that and families are changing all the time!  If your child lives between two homes (whether its recent or its been years) and you feel they would benefit from a group that offers support, conversation with peers, and a safe space to talk about how they manage in their two homes, please reach out and let me know so I can send an invite home.  My email is fliersj@hudsonraiders.org and my phone number is 715-377-3880 X2610
Groups later in the year revolve around social skills and study skills, which often takes some time to surface as they year gets off to a solid start.  We will also have our "Co-Facilitated Groups" which are run with a licensed therapist as well as myself. 
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions as to how I can help support your child's emotional, social, and academic needs!

Safe Side!

We all want our kids to be safe.  We tell them about "stranger danger", though we try not to scare them.  We want them to be smart about going with people they don't know well, always asking their parents first, and making good decisions.
Each year I show 2nd graders the "Safe Side" video, although this year I've decided to share it with 1st graders as well. While the main character Safe Side Super Chick is wacky and a gorilla shows up throughout the show, the tips included are valid - yet kids laugh throughout the movie too.  We cover the "Hot Tips" at the end and their homework is to chat with their "Safe Side Adults" (parents, grandparents) and identify 3 more "safe side adults" that parents would trust to pick them up from school if they couldn't make it etc.
You can view the show on Youtube as a family and talk about other safety rules your house has to ensure a safe (and fun!) summer!
Safe Side 

Third Grade knows the difference between "Rude, Mean, and Bullying!"

Third graders have been learning about the difference between rude behaviors, mean behaviors, and bullying behaviors the past few lessons in guidance.  Students have been looking at scenarios and using the definitions we've learned to determine what each behavior sounds like.  Rude behaviors are those that are accidental, impolite, or when we are only thinking about ourselves (i.e. budging in line, blurting).  Mean behaviors are done on purpose once or twice and sometimes out of anger.  Bullying is defined as behavior that is meant to harm/on purpose, repeated over time, and an imbalance of power/one-sided.
In our last lesson, students worked in groups to categorize different scenarios.  The discussions at each table were amazing and students were critical thinkers!

Buddy Bench Update!

The snow has melted and the Buddy Bench has finally been installed on our upper playground!!! Here are some Kindergarten students showing off the new bench and a link to a  "Cool Tool" featuring 1st graders as they show us how to use the bench correctly!