A New Classmate and Learning about Worries...

This week we talked about feeling worried. We reviewed different coping skills that would be good to use when a worry becomes really big. These coping skills would include: talk to a friend or teacher, use "self talk" to reassure yourself, do some deep breathing or resting, or bump out the worry/upset thought and bump in a happy thought. We also talked about how a worried person might look and why a big worry can cause problems for us. Sometimes worrying makes us feel sick or unable to learn, and sometimes worries that get too big cause us to hit or scream or throw things. We call this a "Red Alert!!!" and we need to be willing to try a coping skill or accept help when we feel that upset. We have noticed that our students know more coping skills now, are more able and willing to use them, and use them more frequently when frustrated rather than other more disruptive behaviors. Several children have moved up a level on our Coping Skills Rubric! Encourage your child to use coping skills at home too - they need many opportunities to practice using them.

We have also been working hard on saying "OK" to directions or when we hear "no" so that we can earn our gold stars. I see that many children are beginning to do this more often and more easily. I also have noticed many children showing empathy and compassion towards classmates! This makes me feel really proud of them!

We have been working on learning about the symbols of the United States of America and what they stand for. We have read about Abraham Lincoln and know that his face is on the penny. We'll learn about George Washington tomorrow, and talk about quarters. We've also practiced counting nickels and dimes. I will send a little money sheet home with pictures and poems about these coins. For extra practice at home, you can have your child count out your extra change. Counting by fives and tens is also helpful practice.

We were so happy to have a new student join our classroom this week! Our new first grade boy is a wonderful friend and has been welcomed by all of us!