This week we began exploring the world of Social Thinking by learning/reviewing two key vocabulary terms: Expected and Unexpected. We also used thumbs up and thumbs down signs to provide a visual cue for each behavior we categorized. Expected behaviors are ones that make others feel happy and have good thoughts about us. Unexpected behaviors make people feel sad, bad, uncomfortable and lead to others having thoughts that are not very good about us. Unexpected behaviors can be rude or weird. In group, we looked at pictures and voted whether we thought the behaviors looked expected or unexpected. The kids did well with this activity. We also use a visual thinking routine and wrote/drew about things that are expected during group time. It was a nice follow up to learning about group rules. We also worked on a class sort with smaller pictures the kids glued onto posters we will hang in the room. Pictures of these to come!
The Fun Run was a success and every child did a great job running and walking with their classes. It was nice to get some sunshine and fresh air. We also learned about fire safety skills with the White Lake Fire Department presentation. We practiced stop, drop, and roll (covering your face) in our classroom. The kindergarten/first grade groups watched the video below and we talked about calling 911 for help. Mrs. Szalay also worked with the kids this week. Mrs. Reece and I have a working list of recess buddies who applied for the job of playing with our kids 2 days a week at recess. This will be starting shortly after we have our first training. After that we meet once a month to problem solve and share success stories. The buddies sometimes eat with the kids too, depending on the scheduling/grade of their buddy. We are excited to get that up and running!
This week I was able to complete the class talks with each of my grade level teachers who share kids with me. Our students are taken to sensory or a special during that time and I go in and educate the kids about how we are all learning, we are all unique and different in our own ways, and we all need help. I share the types of skills I teach kids and the way in which the kids in the classes can be helpers. We talk about confidentiality. We talk about how it's a private chat that we only share within our classroom family. I tell the kids they can talk about my job with their parents, but how it is hurtful to talk about how students need help with that student personally, with other families and with other students in other classes at Lakewood. We talk about how they can help to teach them friendship skills like sharing, having a conversation, problem solving, etc. The teachers add their own thoughts and rules too to help contribute to our class talks. If the need presents itself I return during the year for any follow up talks. Typically this is requested by the general ed teacher to help address any issues that might arise. It also shows the kids that we all work together. The talks evolve and deepen as the kids get older but the issue of respect and confidentiality stays the same.
Our topic will continue this week as we also begin talking about Halloween and getting prepped for that! If you know your child's costume, please send me an email with the name and if it's from something so we can all start to get excited about how we will participate in the festivities at school.
Thanks! Have a Great Week!