Elementary Matters is an educational blog focused on Elementary grades 1-3. These posts will make an elementary teacher's life easier by sharing information about how the brain learns best. It includes time savers, suggestions for classroom management, hints on effective teaching of reading, writing, and math, and several ideas for squeezing Science and Social Studies into daily instruction. These posts include links to several videos, articles, resources, and plenty of free materials.
Showing posts with label #kindnessnation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #kindnessnation. Show all posts
You may not be getting much sleep, trying to fit in all those end-of-the-year expectations, but hang in there, there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
For the past 6 days, I've been sharing ideas to have a Happy Last Day of School.
Push away all the thoughts of what still needs to be done such as packing, test scores, end-of-the-year meetings, end-of-the-year record keeping, and all the rest.
Take the time to enjoy the kids.
I'll admit, I've never had a "last day" where I didn't get choked up saying goodbye to the children. (And I've been teaching forever!)
They are the ones that matter after all the craziness of everything else!
It's really all about the kids.
Remember that.
Enjoy them!
Enjoy this Reader's Theater kindness:
This resource is available for free by signing up for my helpful emails HERE.
Which is your favorite of the Seven Steps to a Happy Last Day of School?
It's very concerning when we work with little ones and we want them to be successful.
Although I'm not going to delve into politics, I'm sure you're aware that political changes here in the USA are pretty uncomfortable for many right now, and people are angry. Yes, BOTH sides of the political system are angry, and it's not helping our children.
How can we help them learn about kindness?
Well, here are three ideas!
There are tons of great books with the theme of kindness! I've linked some of my favorites below.
I have a special softness for Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch and The Invisible Boy.
Be sure to read the books and let the children have plenty of conversations.
Bring up the topic of kindness and let the children talk about how the characters showed kindness in the stories.
We know as educators that children are more likely to do what they see than what they're told to do. That means we need to let them see us showing respect and kindness to them, and the people they see us interact with. Let them see you performing little acts of kindness for children as well as adults!
Let them see you writing fun little notes for them and their classmates.
Let them see you leave a treat for the teacher next door.
Let them see you bring flowers to the nurse for Nurse's Day.
Let them see you go out of your way to tidy up to make things easier for the custodians.
Bring the whole class to the Library to sing Happy Birthday on the librarian's birthday.
I'm sure you can think of more examples of showing kindness, and I'm sure your students can think of plenty more!
When problems occur in the classroom, which we know happen often, be sure to address the group with the question, "How can we solve this problem with kindness?"
To help you out, I've got a Reader's Theater freebie that does exactly that! It's a little play for 4 people with a problem children can relate to. Here's the twist: after a discussion on how to solve the problem with kindness, the performers get to make up the ending!
One last thought: my singing group sang this song years ago, and it helps me deal with many difficult situations. Although this isn't my singing group, the song is just as beautiful.
Ever notice that wonderful feeling that comes from doing something for others?
I suspect you know it well,
since that's what teaching is all about!
I decided, instead of just a "Countdown to Christmas", I wanted to do a more special countdown.
I made this Acts of Kindness Holiday Countdown Set, which is a paper chain countdown with a twist - each link of the chain is an act of kindness to be done by the child, each day between now and Christmas!
First, the children will choose a "topper". There's a star, a tree, and a Christmas Bear. The topper is mounted on a piece of construction paper or tagboard, and a slit is cut near the bottom to hold the first link. Personally, I think this guy is going to need some glitter, and a big red bow at the top to tie him to a special countdown spot! (You could also design your own toppers!)
The "How Many Days" poem goes on the back. I think this needs glitter, too!
Next, the children can put the individual strips into a chain, putting just the right amount so that one can be removed per day until Christmas. These can be printed on colored paper, or simply print on white paper and let the children decorate each link on the chain. (with glitter?) (Again, you or your students can make up their own acts of kindness as well!)
It's a fun challenge to let the children figure out how many links to put on. Make sure you know the correct amount, but it's interesting to see their strategies!
As another act of kindness, I always apologize ahead of time to the custodians when I plan to use glitter. Plus, I've trained my students on using the dustpan to make the custodian's job a little easier!
I have to admit, I'm excited about my new resource, and can't wait to put them together with the kids!