If-then thinking and nocturnal animals

In our Skills for Learning lessons we have been practicing how to solve problems and how to handle anger and frustration. We have learned that we need to STOP and say the problem. We need to Think of possible solutions, before we act. We need to Explore the consequences, and then Pick the one that is best for us. To help us understand this, we have been reading and talking about our brain and all of the jobs our brain does for us. We learned that sometimes the "feeling" part of our brain wants to run the show. When this happens, we need to slow down, think and then make a good choice. Thinking  and choosing happen in a different part of the brain -we are working hard to exercise and strengthen those parts! Often students will only think of one solution and act on it without thinking through what might happen. You can practice If-then thinking with your child at home too - help your child think about possible solutions to a problem situation. Practice: If you choose that solution, then what will happen?

We are really working hard during our science lessons about nocturnal animals and making a special book about some of the animals. This may seem to be just an art activity, but it is so much more! The children are given as many as 12 different sized construction paper shapes. They really have to focus -watch, listen and THINK- as I show them how to cut each piece and assemble it to make the animal. I hang up the example for a visual reminder, but they have to REMEMBER what I showed them and then do their own. The children enjoy this and have done a great job. They don't realize that they are strengthening their brains- they are learning how to get new instruction and practicing how to stay organized and follow directions. These are some of the skills that our students need in order to be successful in general education classes during academic classes they may participate in.