Our guidance classes have spent the first few weeks of school exploring their similarities and differences through a series of individual exercises, restorative circles, and team work aimed at fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. Often times we are quick to assume that we don't have anything in common with someone else based on assumptions we make about others appearances or groups they belong in. Upper elementary classes worked in partners and small groups with peers that they didn't know well and completed a 20 item questionnaire to discover what commonalities they shared. Students found that when we actually take the time to ask each other questions and get to know each other, we discover that we have more in common than we originally assume. Students noticed that they can use the information they learned about each other, to be more inclusive in the classroom, on the bus, in the cafeteria, and at recess. Kindergarten students read an interactive story about an alien who comes to earth, and has a lot to learn about how to make a friend. They helped the alien feel welcomed by introducing themselves to him and explaining what it means to be a friend: being kind, having fun, sharing, and playing together. They also practice using "I-statements" when their friends weren't being kind or sharing. Finally, they got to practice these skills working in pairs in their classroom, finding two toys both of them enjoyed playing with. I couldn't have been more impressed with how well all the students worked together.
0 Comments
Under the leadership of the middle school Be The Change Club, our entire elementary school participated in a month long kindness challenge last fall. I collected student artifacts throughout the challenge and I am so excited to share just some of the highlights with you. I am so proud of these kids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKfp3zNyBfo&t=3s |
ArchivesCategories |