Friendship Counts

This week, the 4th grade guidance lesson focused on girls and friendships.  We spent lunch together, along with Joy Beth from Gen Austin, and talked about the good things that come with friendships as well as the challenges.  The girls played games that helped show how they each have many things in common such as  things they like to problems they have each experienced with friends.  At the end, Joy Beth  talked with the girls about how sometimes girls assume things about each other that are not always true. In response, each girl wrote "Just Because Poems" and with their permission, I will share a few with you.

Just because I am girly,
Doesn't mean that I don't like to get dirty,
Doesn't mean that I always wear pink,
Doesn't mean I am a cry baby,
I am funny and that's me!

Just because I got a low grade,
Doesn't mean I am dumb,
Doesn't mean I don't try,
Doesn't mean people shouldn't be my friend,
I am smart and kind!

Just because I am a good student,
Doesn't mean I am a teacher's pet,
Doesn't mean I am a nerd,
Doesn't mean I am a tattle tale,
I am an amazing, smart person.

Just because I am a girl that plays with boys,
Doesn't mean I am just like them,
Doesn't mean I am not a girl,
Doesn't mean that I am weird,
I am funny and playful to everyone!

Just because I like to read,
Doesn't mean I don't like sports,
Doesn't mean I don't love the outdoors,
Doesn't mean I don't tell jokes,
I am a very funny kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just because I am not the skinniest person,
Doesn't mean I am fat,
Doesn't mean I don't exercise,
Doesn't mean I'm not cool,
I am a smart, funny person!

Just because I am new,
Doesn't mean I don't know a lot,
Doesn't mean I am not good to hang out with,
Doesn't mean I am not good at things,
I am a generous person!

Just because I am a 9 year old girl,
Doesn't mean I can't dress up,
Doesn't mean I can't watch Dora,
Doesn't mean I can act like someone I'm not,
I am strong and a little kid!

Just because I am a mindchanger,
Doesn't mean I am a gossip teller,
Doesn't mean that I can't be nice,
Doesn't mean I tell secrets,
I am a wonderful person!

Just because I look different,
Doesn't mean I'm not smart,
Doesn't mean I should be left out,
Doesn't mean I can't be told certain things,
I am a smart person.

Just because I am a chatty girl,
Doesn't mean I am not a sporty girl,
Doesn't mean I don't have a personality,
Doesn't mean I don't like to read,
I am a cool Girl!

Just because I am a shy girl,
Doesn't mean I don't talk at all,
Doesn't mean I don't like sports,
Doesn't mean I really don't care,
I am a great and funny girl!

I was so impressed with each one of the girls today.  What a wonderful way to spend lunch :)

We Are Girls Conference

 

Doors open at 8 AM, program begins at 9 AM is a statewide annual event that helps girls explore the issues of bullying, body image and being a girl. Skill-building workshops and dynamic presentations are offered on topics including creating healthy relationships, building financial and media literacy, enhancing parent-daughter relationships and increasing positive body image, health, and wellness. Designed especially for girls in grades 5-12 and the adults who care about them, We Are Girls connects individuals with questions to the experts who have the answers.

Register for the We are Girls Conference

A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue

A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue, written by Julia Cook (one of my favorite authors), is about a boy named Josh who can't stop tattling.  He tattled so much, nobody want to play with him at recess or sit with him at lunch.  He even tattled on the dog.  One day, his mom warns him that if he tattles too much, he will get a bad case of the Tattle Tongue.  This story teaches four rules to help students decide if something is  "tattling" and getting someone in trouble and "reporting" or "warning" someone if someone is in danger. 

"Tattle Rules"

1. Be a Danger Ranger- If a person or animal is in danger, you must warn someone!  (Just like Kelso says!)
2. Be a Problem Solver- If the problem involves you, take charge and try hard to solve it first. (Sounds like a small problem...which of Kelso's choices will you use?)
3. Now or Later- Is the problem a "NOW" problem or a "NOT NOW" problem?  Can your problem be solved at a later time?
4. M.Y.O.B. (Mind Your Own Beeswax!)- If the problem is not dangerous and it does not involve you...DO NOT TATTLE!

Students had fun coloring their own version of a Tattle Tongue and deciding if something was tattling or a warning. 

Lesson from "That's My Story Too! Lessons and Activities for 52 Counselor-Recommended Children's Books

Keslo's Choices

We have been talking about using Kelso's Choices to help solve the "small" problems.  Kelso teaches us that "small" problems are problems that we are all smart enough and strong enough to handle on our own. However, "Big" problems, students need to tell an adult immediately! "Big" problems are when we feel scared, worried, or frightened that someone could get hurt.  Some of the examples of small problems students have come up with are:

• someone making noises when you are trying to work
• not going "out" after losing your turn in a game
• pushing or jumping in front of the line
• swinging too long on the playground
• not sharing toys during center times
• cheating during four square
• not sharing materials during a group project

Some examples of "Big" Problems students have come up with are:

• throwing rocks on the playground
• running across the street without an adult
• strangers
• someone standing on top of the monkey bars
• someone stealing from the teacher's desk