Lee Mediators - Part 3

This lesson was focused on the different ways that we deal with conflict.  People choose to deal with conflict in 3 basic ways:

1. Flight (avoidance)
2. Fight (competition)
3. Flow (problem solving)

I handed out a chart for students to begin a discussion of each type of conflict and where the ways they most often use fit.  We also explained the pros & cons of each style:

Finally we talked about which of these methods we use to handle conflict when we are...

• under certain conditions?
• with different people?
• location?
• being watched or listened to?

Is It Bullying? What Is It?

Bullying is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days when anything goes wrong between peers.  It is our job to make sure students understand what constitutes bullying in order for them to use it appropriately when uncomfortable or unsafe circumstances arise.

With my fourth graders I handed out a quick 10-question true/false survey to find out what they already knew about bullying:

Then I created a chart, inspired by fellow blogger Mrs. Sinclair, that clearly identified the differences between teasing, conflict, a mean moment and bullying.  You can download a copy of it here.

After discussing this, I elaborated further on the definition of bullying by using Savvy School Counselor's "The A, B, C, and D of Bullying" poster:

I called out different scenarios and had each table discuss and come to consensus on where it feel on the chart.  We spent time debating and advocating for where it would best fit under by utilizing the criteria for each.  Some examples included: 

• Martin called Tom a freak.
• Each morning Sam tells Jarod he has to let him copy his homework or Sam will embarrass him in front of the whole class
• Sue rolled her eyes at Kendra when she walked into the room
• Every day at lunch Sarah tells Joan whom she can sit with at lunch

Finally, we went through the original bullying survey to see how accurate we were and if we had any further questions.  I made students a copy of both the handouts as well as printing out a color poster of each for the teacher to post in the room.

November Newsletter, Issue 3

Available for download shortly on our school webpage

Kelso is Ready to Help!

 Kelso is back in ACTION at Lee Elementary!

Kelso & His Friend Lily sitting atop my bookshelf

Students have been begging for Kelso to come visit their classroom with me and it is finally time!  Kelso is our counseling mascot at Lee, helping students solve their problems with his simple wheel of choices:

 

Kelso's Choices is a conflict-management curriculum that teaches children that they can be problem solvers themselves.  Students learn to determine small problems they can handle on independently and large problems that require an adult's help.  After reintroducing him to our students and having them explain how it works (see previous post here), we were ready to create our own Kelso to help us out.  I was inspired by two different bloggers, Mrs. H & The Creative Counselor, and adapted their ideas to "Kelso-ize" them.

In first grade, students made their Kelso's with his mouth containing the different choices they can try to resolve conflict:

In second grade, students made a problem solving lily pad for Kelso and his choices.  The bottom plate had the 9 choices glued onto it and the top plate had a slice cut out for them to spin it around until they found one they wanted to try:

Our Kindergarteners are Respectful

 

In kindergarten we finished up our talks about feelings, and moved onto our actions.  Every choice we make reflects our character.  When we make good choices, others trust and respect us.  When we make poor choices, others form a negative opinion about us.

We read The Way I Act written by Steve Metzger & Janan Cain.  Students recognized this has the sequel to The Way I Feel that we read a few weeks previously.  It explores different behaviors we exhibit and the consequences, positive or negative, that go along with them.  We talked about how we want others to see us, and by making good choices we show our stellar character.

The following week we continued our discussion of character by reading Do Unto Otters written by Laurie Keller.  In this funny play of the Golden Rule, students learn how to show respect to each other by thinking about how we like to be treated.  We then brainstormed ways that we show respect to each other and our planet.

Students used these ideas to illustrate Respect Flipbooks:

Flood Assistance

If any of you are wondering how you can help flood victims from last weeks rains, here is some information to pass along...

Donations are being accepted now at: 

Mendez Middle School
Family Resource Center
5106 Village Square Drive
Austin, 78744
512-841-1016

· Clothing

Please LABEL outside of bags if possible as “Adult Male,” “Adult Female,” “Girl Size 5”, “Boy Size 10”

· Hygiene items
· Canned goods
· Baby Formula, Diapers, Wipes
· Hand Sanitizer
· Water Jugs or Bottles

Additionally, if you want to discuss this with your kiddos, there is a Sesame Street video on floods:

http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/theshow/episodes/the-flood

Food, Water, Shelter, School Supplies, Transportation and Counseling
Families who need support with food, water or shelter may find resources at the Dove Springs Recreation Center at 5801 Ainez Drive or by calling (512) 447-5875. You may also call the Family Resource Center at Mendez Middle School at 512-841-1016 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Water, bread and baby formula are available at the resource center, as well as school supplies and school transportation information for AISD students who have been displaced from their home.
City-wide Transportation
Families in need of transportation assistance can call the Red Cross at 512-974-0999. Capital Metro is also providing transportation assistance between the Onion Creek area and Dove Springs Recreation Center shelter.
Donations
To make an online donation to support Red Cross Disaster Relief, please visit www.redcross.org. You can also donate by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Additionally, the Family Resource Center at Mendez Middle School is seeking donations of shoes. Please call 512-841-1016 to see how you can assist.
While families of school children in Southeast Austin communities such as Dove Springs are being helped by agencies and school staff members, the district's parent support specialists have noted families remain in need of donations for:

• Gift cards to stores such as Target and Walmart
• Feminine hygiene products
• Cleaning supplies
• Canned food
• Heavy duty trash bags
• Bath towels and
• Blankets.

Donations of these items may be delivered to the district's Family Resource Center at Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Portable #3. For more information, please contact the AISD center at 512-841-1016.

Volunteering
The Austin Disaster Relief Network and the Red Cross are still seeking volunteers to help provide relief to families affected by last week's flooding. To learn how you can help Austin Disaster Relief Network, please call 512-331-2600 or visit www.adrntx.org/index.php/central-tx-flood-news. To volunteer with the Red Cross, please call 512-928-4271 or visit http://www.redcross.org/support.
1. Warehouse Volunteers
The community need volunteers to manage and sort donated items at Oak Meadow Church, 6905 S. IH 35, in South Austin. To sign up for a shift, please click here.

2. CISM & Chaplain Trained Volunteers
CISM & Chaplain volunteers are needed to debrief provide ministry to the numerous traumatized survivors. To sign up for a shift, please click here.
3. Clean Up Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help clean up affected homes. The initial meeting site will be at the Crossroads Christian House of Prayer, 5201 William Cannon. To sign up for a shift, click here.

4. Shepherds to Sponsor Families
More than 100 families will likely need sponsorships to aid in their recovery. A training is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Westoak Woods Baptist Church, 2900 W. Slaughter Lane.To sign up, click here.
5. Donated Goods
Gift cards to Walmart and HEB as well as furniture, household items, water, clothing, toiletries, baby items and toys are greatly needed. These can be dropped off at the warehouse located at Oak Meadows Baptist Church, 6905 S. IH 35.

The Family Resource Center at Consuelo Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Drive, is also accepting similar donations. Clothing donations should be sorted and dropped off in bags labeled with the type of clothing, for example: "Adult male," "Adult female," Girls size 5," etc. The center is open weekdays and Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m, to 5 p.m. Call 512-841-1016. Learn More.

6. Call Center Volunteers
ADRN needs several volunteers to answer the phones (for survivors,) at its Call Center over the next several days. To volunteer, please click here.
7. Hospitality Team
ADRN is in need of volunteers to prepare meals for volunteers working at our Call Center. To sign up for a shift, please click here.

Children's Media Use in America 2013

CommonSense Media created this insightful infographic on our children's use of media in 2013: