Know Your Strategies
One strategy we use every day is a feelings check-in!
Name 2 ways we practice this in class.
1. Morning meeting - when we greet each other
2. Feelings thermometer - we name our emotion and how intense it is (1-10)
The emotions we experience in our bodies and minds...
Feelings!
We can usually describe them in one word, like angry, scared, excited.
Are feelings good or bad?
Neither. Everyone feels a range of emotions and that's okay. It's how we act on those feelings that can be helpful or unhelpful, make our problem bigger or smaller.
You notice one of your classmates is sad. Show us one thing you could do.
Ask them what is wrong or if they want to talk about it, offer to help, show them extra kindness, give them space if they need it, give them a compliment, etc.
Name a few behaviors expected of you when you leave the classroom...
Walk in the hallways, inside voice, follow adult directions, be kind/safe/respectful
Well done!
What are 2 helpful strategies you can use when you are frustrated with schoolwork?
Did you guess one of these?
Raise your hand for help, ask for a break in the calming corner and then try again, use a fidget, skip a hard problem and come back to it...
What are thoughts?
The words we say to ourselves in our mind, the things we tell ourselves that can be helpful or unhelpful...
sometimes they happen so quickly, we don't even notice.
Show us what you might do, if you think to yourself, "This assignment is stupid."
Thanks for acting it out!
Was that behavior helpful or unhelpful?
Show me finger tracing deep breathing...
YOU GOT THIS!
Name 2 things you are expected to do at school to get ready to go home?
Examples: Get your checksheet and pack up your backpack! Make sure you have all your technology and toys!
Situation: A classmate bumps into your desk and knocks your stuff to the ground. You feel mad and want to yell, but you choose to kindly tell the student, "It's okay. I know it was an accident."
What strategy are you using???
ACTING OPPOSITE!!!
Choosing a behavior that is opposite of what you feel, can change your feeling and make a situation better.
What is a behavior?
The choices we make, how we act, what we do.
The behaviors we show often either make our problems bigger or smaller.
Remember... a BIG part of controlling our behavior depends on our ability to notice and deal with our emotions and thoughts in a smart, safe way.
You see a student get on the bus in a bad mood. They look at you and call you a mean name. You think to yourself, "I hate that kid, I'm about ready to say something back."
How could you change that thought? What could you think instead that might be more helpful to you?
"That kid bothers me, but maybe he had a really bad morning at home."
"It's not worth the fight, I'll ignore this kid."
Other ideas???
Demonstrate 2 ways to show kindness to your classmates...
Were you respectful, responsible, and safe?
GO YOU!
How do you greet an adult that is at the door or enters the room? Name TWO things.
-Remain in your seat
-Wave your hand, use a quiet voice
-Quietly raise your hand to get the adult's attention if you'd like to speak with them
-If you'd like a hug, ask first
Examples of relaxation strategies are deep breathing, tensing and then relaxing our muscles in our bodies, and drawing or thinking of a happy place.
When do we use these strategies & why are they helpful?
We use them when our energy is too high, we are stressed, tense, or having uncomfortable feelings.
Relaxation strategies help us calm our minds and bodies, so that we can focus and problem solve.
What does "regulated" or dysregulated" mean?
Regulated= safe body and words
Dysregulated= unsafe body and words
Your team wins the jeopardy game and one of your teammates starts to loudly brag about winning. Is this helpful or unhelpful?
Unhelpful- The other team did not win the game and they may be feeling upset. Your comments may hurt their feelings.
TIP: It helps to think about you being in the situation.
Pretend you want to go see Mrs. MacDonald or Ms. Conrad, Show us what you should do.
Raise hand and ask your teacher
Get permission before you leave
Schedule a time to meet with them
When you go to see them, walk in the hallway
Knock on the door
Situation: You see a student having a hard time in the classroom. They are upset, yelling unkind things, hitting or tipping their desk.
What are 2 helpful behaviors you can do?
Listen to the teacher, follow directions, ignore, keep working, give the student space and time to calm down... any other ideas?
We all feel sad, lonely, tired, and lazy sometimes. These feelings can make us want to do things that don't take up much energy, like lay on the couch, go to sleep, play video games for WAY TOO LONG, and put our heads down or give up...
What's a more helpful strategy you can try instead to help those feelings improve?
GET ACTIVE! Ride a bike, go to the park, play a game, etc.
If we do these things, even when we don't feel like it, our feelings and energy will usually improve!
What does it mean to "restore" with someone?
We can harm our relationship with someone with our words or actions. Restoring means that we are fixing that relationship somehow. For example... an apology
When you see a classmate leave the classroom without permission, what do you think they were thinking AND feeling?
Thinking: "I want out of here!" "I hate this class!" "That worksheet is stupid" "That kid is so annoying" "I want to go see Mr. Chip (or Ms. Mitroka, or Dr. S)"
Feeling: Mad, bored, annoyed, restless, scared, anxious, overwhelmed, etc.
You want to use the cool down room but someone is already there. What should you do? Show us.
Good job!
Examples may include: Ask the teacher to set a timer for the cool down room, do the calming activity from your desk, wait patiently at your seat until it is your turn
1 reason Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is important
Social Emotional Learning.
It helps us do better in school, it teaches us how to make and keep friends, and we learn skills that help us feel better overall.