Blog Archives

2nd Grade Technology Safety Lesson

5/19/2015

Dear 2nd Grade Parents and Guardians,

Over the last two weeks, we have been discussing technology safety in second grade. The range of devices and programs students use has increased dramatically in just the past few years, and while this has created new opportunities to have fun and connect with others, it also has created new safety risks. Therefore, I decided to use the information from OnGuardOnline.gov to review important considerations for staying safe online.

As part of our discussion, we reviewed a range of topics. They included:

· Be wary of sharing personal information online. This includes your address, phone number, even the names of family members.

· If something happens online that makes you uncomfortable, go immediately to a safe adult.

· Passwords are often the only method for protecting your online material. Work with your family to create strong passwords and never share passwords with other people, even close friends.

· Be aware that information that is shared online is very difficult to delete. Information shared with even just one person online can be easily and quickly distributed to a much larger audience.

· Negative comments made online are just as hurtful as those made in person. Be a kind member of the online community. And if someone writes hurtful messages to you online, do not respond and go immediately to an adult.

As parents and guardians, you have the most important job when it comes to keeping our students safe online. Please review the OnGuardOnline.gov information and make discussing technology safety a regular conversation with your children.

Thank you for your help supporting this important lesson.

Sincerely,
David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School

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3rd Grade Bystander Skits

5/19/2015

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Dear 3rd Grade Parents and Guardians,

This week we continued our work on bullying in grade classrooms. For this lesson, we are focusing on the bystanders, the people who see bullying happen, and their role in helping victims of bullying. Students learned that when researchers study bullying by asking students what they would do if they saw someone being bullied, the most frequent response is that they would stand up to the student doing the bullying. However, when bullying is actually taking place, bystanders rarely confront the bully. The reality is that bullying is scary and it is hard to stand up and put oneself in the position of possibly becoming the next target.

          What, then, can bystanders do? As a class, we discussed safer possibilities that can help the student being targeted without having to say anything to the person bullying. Some ideas students generated include:

·        Get help from an adult

·        Help the targeted student walk away from the bullying

·        Make the targeted student feel included

·        Say something nice to the targeted student

·        Encourage the targeted student to reach out to an adult

Students took these strategies and used them to create their own skits about supporting students who are being bullied.

If you can, please remind your children about the important role of the bystanders in a bullying situation and the safer choices they can make to help.

Thank you for your help supporting this important lesson.

Sincerely,

David Starr

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First Grade Unique Sandwich Lesson

5/12/2015

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Dear First Grade Parents and Guardians,

In first grade we are thinking about and discussing the parts of us that make us unique. All of us are special in our own way, and there is value in taking time to acknowledge and honor this uniqueness. As part of the lesson, we read "The Sandwich Shop," by Queen Rania Al Abdullah. The story talks about the experience of two girls who learn to understand and appreciate each other through the food they eat. Each student then worked to create their own "Unique Sandwich," highlighting the parts that make them special. We will share these during our next lesson.

If you have a moment, ask your child to share with you the parts of them they feel make them unique. And please continue to find opportunities to highlight the parts of your children that make them the amazing people they are.

Sincerely,

David Starr

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Kindergarten Similarities, Differences Lesson

5/12/2015

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Dear Kindergarten Parents and Guardians,

This week, we are thinking about the ways people can be both similar and different. By creating self-portraits as well as pictures of a classmate, students are working to build an understanding of the physical characteristics that make them similar while also unique. One important similarity that all people share which cannot be shown in a picture is the feelings we experience when we are respected. When people are kind, supportive, and make us feel included, we feel happy, safe, and comfortable. To think about this similarity, we read the book “Whoever You Are,” by Mem Fox. It helps to highlight the similar feelings of belonging, significance, and fun that all of us value.

If you have a moment, remind your children that no matter how similar or different someone looks, they always value and deserve to be respected.

Thank you for your help supporting this important lesson.

Sincerely,

David Starr

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2nd Grade Technology Safety Lesson

3rd Grade Bystander Skits

First Grade Unique Sandwich Lesson

Kindergarten Similarities, Differences Lesson

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