September 2019
In the month of September, students in 2nd Grade were introduced to Ms.O'Keefe's new rules for counseling lessons and the "Counseling Star". At the end of each counseling lesson, Ms.O'Keefe will choose one student who embodied the counseling rules, that student will lead the class in the "Whole Body Listening" rhyme at the beginning of the next lesson. This will encourage students to show expected behavior and act as role models for one another. The 2nd Grade lesson this month reviewed the Zones of Regulation. Students were given the challenge to teach Ms.O'Keefe all about the Zones and how to use effective coping strategies to regulate yourself. Students also made "coping skills toolbars" to keep on their desks to remind them of the tools/strategies available. During this month, students in 2nd Grade were also invited to participate in an after-school program called "Get in the Zone". Students created paintings, on real canvas, of images which would help them get back to the Green Zone when they're feeling dysregulated. Some images were happy memories, family portraits, pets, and favorite video game characters. |
October 2019
In the month of October, Kindergarten was introduced to the Zones of Regulation. The Zones of Regulation is used to help students identify their emotions, identify coping strategies, learn how to recognize when they're dysregulated, and learn how to utilize a coping strategy to regulate themselves. More information about the Zones of Regulation is available, just contact Ashley O'Keefe, [email protected].
Lessons in 2nd Grade focused on understanding triggers for anger and learning appropriate coping strategies for regulating yourself. Students read "SodaPop Head" by Julia Cook and participated in an "anger experiment" where they saw how a trigger (Alka-Seltzer tablet) can interact with our emotions (soda) to lead to explosive behavior.
In the month of October, Kindergarten was introduced to the Zones of Regulation. The Zones of Regulation is used to help students identify their emotions, identify coping strategies, learn how to recognize when they're dysregulated, and learn how to utilize a coping strategy to regulate themselves. More information about the Zones of Regulation is available, just contact Ashley O'Keefe, [email protected].
Lessons in 2nd Grade focused on understanding triggers for anger and learning appropriate coping strategies for regulating yourself. Students read "SodaPop Head" by Julia Cook and participated in an "anger experiment" where they saw how a trigger (Alka-Seltzer tablet) can interact with our emotions (soda) to lead to explosive behavior.
November 2019
In the month of November, Kindergarten learned about personal space. Students listened to Ms.O'Keefe read "Harrison P. Spader, Personal Space Invader" and participated in discussion about respecting others. Students also practiced the "space saver", a personal space move taught by the main character in the story. Students in 2nd Grade learned about self-control and expected behavior by reading "Clark the Shark". Students participated in active discussion about the ways that not showing expected behavior and self-control impact school and friendships. Students were also able to create a flip book with reminders of how to show self-control in various situations at school. |
December 2019
In the month of December, Kindergarten students learned about the idea of consent, using phrasing of "ask before touching". This lesson built off of last month's lesson about personal space. Students learned that they should ask for permission before touching others, and that others should ask them as well. Students watched Ms.O'Keefe and their classroom teacher role-play a situation where a student asks for a hug and the teacher says, "no". Students learn there are different ways to show affection or greeting besides hugging.
2nd Grade students participated in a lesson about active listening. While listening is a seemingly easy topic, many students struggle with taking the time to process information before responding, blurting out, interrupting others, and not reciprocating during a conversation. Students read "Lucy Walker: Nonstop Talker" and created a listening "do" and "don't" reminder.
In the month of December, Kindergarten students learned about the idea of consent, using phrasing of "ask before touching". This lesson built off of last month's lesson about personal space. Students learned that they should ask for permission before touching others, and that others should ask them as well. Students watched Ms.O'Keefe and their classroom teacher role-play a situation where a student asks for a hug and the teacher says, "no". Students learn there are different ways to show affection or greeting besides hugging.
2nd Grade students participated in a lesson about active listening. While listening is a seemingly easy topic, many students struggle with taking the time to process information before responding, blurting out, interrupting others, and not reciprocating during a conversation. Students read "Lucy Walker: Nonstop Talker" and created a listening "do" and "don't" reminder.
January 2020
In the month of January, Kindergarten students learned about showing expected behavior and having self-control. Students read "Clark the Shark" and participated in active discussion about the expected behavior they see and exhibit at school. Students in 2nd Grade learned about being a good friend and conflict resolution. Students participated in a fun game, using "game show buzzers", where they had to work as a team to find the best solution to different peer conflict situations. |
February 2020
In the month of February, Kindergarten students learned about being a good friend and conflict resolution. Students read "How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends?" and participated in discussion about common conflict among peers.
Students in 2nd Grade learned about kind words and bullying. Students participated in discussion about the impact words have, both kind and unkind words.
In the month of February, Kindergarten students learned about being a good friend and conflict resolution. Students read "How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends?" and participated in discussion about common conflict among peers.
Students in 2nd Grade learned about kind words and bullying. Students participated in discussion about the impact words have, both kind and unkind words.
March 2020
In the month of March, Kindergarten students learned about worries and effective coping strategies. Students read "Ready for Anything", a wonderful book about not thinking the worst. Students then worked with Ms.O'Keefe to create a worry butterfly, to represent one of the butterflies that the student may feel during the school day or at home. Students will discuss ways that they cope with that worry.
Students in 2nd Grade learned about sportsmanship. They participated in a role-playing activity to illustrate the different "characters" of sportsmanship.
In the month of March, Kindergarten students learned about worries and effective coping strategies. Students read "Ready for Anything", a wonderful book about not thinking the worst. Students then worked with Ms.O'Keefe to create a worry butterfly, to represent one of the butterflies that the student may feel during the school day or at home. Students will discuss ways that they cope with that worry.
Students in 2nd Grade learned about sportsmanship. They participated in a role-playing activity to illustrate the different "characters" of sportsmanship.
April 2020
In the month of April, students in Kindergarten learned about anger, triggers for feeling angry, and effective coping strategies. Students were able to create a calming bottle with Ms.O'Keefe to take home or leave at school to use as a tool.
Students in 2nd Grade learned about growth mindset and goal setting. Students read "After the Fall", a funny book about perseverance and grit. Students then worked with Ms.O'Keefe to set a goal to accomplish before 3rd Grade.
In the month of April, students in Kindergarten learned about anger, triggers for feeling angry, and effective coping strategies. Students were able to create a calming bottle with Ms.O'Keefe to take home or leave at school to use as a tool.
Students in 2nd Grade learned about growth mindset and goal setting. Students read "After the Fall", a funny book about perseverance and grit. Students then worked with Ms.O'Keefe to set a goal to accomplish before 3rd Grade.
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