This Week in Guidance

This week I will be reading the book "Respect and Take Care of Things" by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed. The theme of respect ties into our topic of diversity as students learn to not only treat all people with respect but their property and the property of others as well. Students will learn the importance of taking care of themselves and the things around them by cleaning up, returning things that they use or borrow, helping with chores, and being safe when using things such as scissors. They will also learn that it's important to be careful when using something that belongs to someone else and to ask permission.

This Week in Guidance

This week as a school we will celebrate diversity by studying other countries and cultures. I am excited to learn about all the activities our little ones will be doing. I will be reading the story "Hey Little Ant" by Phillip and Hannah Hoose. The story is about a little boy who sees an ant on the sidewalk and has to decide whether or not he will squish him. His peers are encouraging him to step on the ant while the ant is pleading for his life. I will encourage students to talk about what they would do in this situation all the while reminding them that just because we have the power to do something doesn't mean it is the "right" thing to do. I will talk about peer pressure and how it is always more difficult to do the "right" thing than the "wrong" thing. I will also talk about how every one and every thing should be treated with respect.

This Week in Guidance

For the next several weeks we will be talking about diversity. This week's lesson is from the book "Accept and Value  Each Person" by Cheri J. Meiners, M.Ed.  The little girl in the story learns that while we all look differently, dress differently, and have different interests, we should accept people for who they are without judging. She learns that everyone wants to be accepted and that it is fun to learn about others and to make new friends. She also learns that we all have strengths and that we can help others and allow others to help us. She learns that if she has a problem with someone she can use her words to solve the problem. She also learned about the importance of forgiveness. You can help reinforce these concepts with your preschooler. As you notice people who look differently than you point out something positive about the difference and model acceptance of people despite our differences.

This Week in Guidance

Welcome back students and families. I hope you had an enjoyable break. For the next few weeks we will be discussing the topic of diversity. This week's story is called Whoever You Are by Mem Fox. The story talks about how we are all different on the outside but we are the same on the inside. It points out that people all over the world live in different homes, work different jobs, and talk differently but again we are all the same on the inside and we all have things in common. One way you can reinforce this week's lesson is to point out differences between your own family members and people that you know and emphasize that these differences are what make us interesting and fun. It is also important that your child know that everyone should be treated with respect regardless of our differences. When we use our Magic Triad we are showing respect.