First grade is all about learning how to blend love of play and learning within a school environment. Through 30-minute, twice monthly guidance lessons the students learn how their behaviors impact their personal success and effect those around them. Through puppetry, art, singing, stories, role plays, and discussion the students answer the following questions:

Essential Questions:

Why is important to do my best in school?

Why is it important to choose a job I like?

Why do we need rules?

How are people alike and different from one another?

What happens when we make choices?

What can I do to get along better with others?

Initially, the students meet Rosie and Dennis, puppets who help them learn life lessons. The students learn how, when and why to listen through a group story play and by becoming members of the Beary Good Listening Club. Next the 1st graders learn how to identify and respond to feelings through white board art, singing, and making a class feelings poster. The children especially enjoy the feelings learning centers. Next, Clifford tells them all the times they can use good manners and then they get to choose an activity to reinforce good manners. In conjunction with Red Ribbon Week we introduced home, school, and public safety tips, that will be reviewed more intensely in the Spring. Next up is cooperation with great songs and strategies and a cooperation soup celebration. As the holidays approach we will discuss generosity and how other people live by reading The Rag Coat and making our own special rag coat.

November and December Activities: Cooperation Unit

Songs: "This Job is Too Big for Me! and "I Can Help You"

Activities: I Dream of a World

Games: Cards and How to Solve Conflict

Stories: "I Dream of a World" and "Stone Soup" and our own Cooperation Soup.

Ask your children to solve problems with "Rock, Paper, Scissors!"