In November students received lessons on Habit 1: Be Proactive.
Kindergarten students read the book What if Everybody Did That by Ellen Javernick. Students discussed the Circle of Control and how being proactive is focusing on ourselves and our actions, not the actions of others. We are only in charge of ourselves, not anyone else. Even if others are doing things that are not ok, we can be ok and control what we do. Kindergartners are my spotlight of the month and completed a "What if everybody________________." page that included proactive, positive actions!
First grade students read Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes and recognized how Lily was reactive when things didn't go her way rather than proactive. Students discussed ways to help themselves stop and think and make a proactive choice to something that causes them a difficult emotion rather than being reactive.
Second graders read Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and discussed how Molly Lou Melon was proactive in how she responded to a bully who was making fun of her at her new school.
In Third grade students compared and contrasted being "reactive" (exploding when facing pressure or a difficult emotion, something that is hard for them, or a situation that they don't like) vs being a water bottle and being proactive (staying calm, choosing to respond in a clam manner and remaining in control). Together we created a circle of control and discussed how we are more influential when we focus on the things we can control (inside our circle of control) rather than the things we can't control (things outside our circle of control).
Fourth graders read The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy. They identified proactive language throughout the book, especially in a promise that students in the book made regarding how they would respond to other's unkind behavior. I taught students a leadership skill "Stop and Think" to help them learn to be proactive when responding to a situation that causes them anger, frustration, or another difficult emotion. Students brainstormed ways to "stop and think" before responding to different situations, and worked in groups to apply this strategy to different scenarios I provided them. The also watched a short video about a gymnast who was born without legs. This gymnast was very proactive and never used the word "can't". The video is below:
For an example of a Stop and Think chart, please click here.
In Fifth Grade students were also taught the soda can vs water bottle visual and completed a self-evaluation to measure how reactive or proactive they currently are. They also completed a stop and think chart about a current situation that they face that causes them to be reactive and brainstormed ways to help them "stop and think" to help them become more proactive.
In Sixth Grade students were taught the soda can vs water bottle visual and discussed how they are able to choose how they respond to adversity and set backs in life. Being reactive to these set backs will hinder their ability to reach their goals. Instead, being proactive and choosing to overcome will go a long way toward them reaching their goals. Students watched an inspiring video about a para-Olympic record setting athlete who overcame great adversity and exhibited many proactive and leadership qualities. To see the video, please click here.
December lessons will focus on kindness to others even when they are different from us, as well as giving to others and being grateful for what we have.
