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3rd Grade - Brainology

10/30/2016

Dear 3rd Grade Parents and Guardians,

This week, I am introducing third grade students to a website called Brainology. Brainology takes research on strategies to help students be more successful academically and presents them in a visually interesting, child friendly way. As part of the lesson, we brainstormed about the role of the brain in our lives, learned about the many jobs of the brain, and talked about strategies to help the brain work at its best.

Three strategies introduced in the program are:

Eat a filling breakfast
Get more sleep
Do my homework without distractions (in a quiet space, no television or other people talking)

Students were asked to choose one of these strategies to focus on in their own lives over the next two weeks.

If you have a chance, please ask your child to share with you the goal they chose. You can even help them to work toward their goal. I will be checking in on how students did during our next lesson.

Thank you for your help,

David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH: (508) 836-7760 Email: starrd@westboroughk12.org

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2nd Grade - Hunter and His Amazing Remote Control

10/30/2016

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Dear Second Grade Parents and Guardians,

Over the next two lessons, we are talking about growing as a second grade learner by using a book called Hunter and His Amazing Remote Control. In the story, Hunter creates a remote control to help him become a better student and friend. Each button on the remote is a strategy Hunter can use. They include:

Channel Changer: Use it to focus on the topic you are expected to be thinking about. For example, if you are learning about math and your mind is thinking about recess, use this button to change your mind back to the “math” channel

Pause: Stop what you are doing, calm down, and make a plan

Fast Forward: Predict what might happen next and use this thinking to make the expected choice right now

Rewind: We all make unexpected choices. Use this button as a way of going back and try again to make the expected choice

Slow Motion: Use this as a reminder to slow down, be mindful, and enjoy the moment

Coach: Use as a way to keep a positive attitude and as a reminder that being a better learner and friend is a life-long goal for everybody

Zapper: Use as a way to “zap,” or remove the negative thoughts we sometimes think when things are hard and we are feeling discouraged

Way to Go: Use as a reminder that while we are working to improve, it’s important to celebrate successes along the way

As part of the lesson, students had a chance to think about the different times they might use each button. They then chose one button to practice using over the next couple weeks.

Students are bringing home worksheets where they wrote about their chosen button. If you have a moment, please ask your child to share with you the button they chose. Perhaps even take a moment to think about a button you could use in your life. If you think of one, consider adding it to the comments section of this blog post. We will continue to work to build understanding of the strategies found on Hunter’s remote next time we meet.

Sincerely,

David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH: 508-836-7760 Email: starrd@westboroughk12.org

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Personal Space

10/24/2016

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Dear Kindergarten and First Grade Parents/Guardians,

This week, I have been working with kindergarten and first grade classes on personal space. As part of the lesson, we defined personal space (the space we need to give each other so everyone feels comfortable) and discussed ways to talk to another student that is invading your personal space. We also talked about what personal space looks like on the rug, in line, and around school.

If you have a chance, ask your child:

How can you respectfully tell another student you need more personal space?

Answer: Be kind, but also clear about what you want. Some student examples include:
“Excuse me, can you please move over?”
“You are breaking my personal space bubble. Please give me some more space.”

How can you give personal space in line?

Answer: Face forward, hands by sides, just right space between you and other students.

What does personal space look like on the rug?

Answer: Give me 5, space between you and your neighbors, in your square (if your classroom rug is divided in this way).

You can even ask your child about places they can give personal space around the home, and what personal space might look like in those places.

Thank you for your help reinforcing this important lesson.

Sincerely,

David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH: 508-836-7760, Email: starrd@westboroughk12.org

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October 17th, 2016

10/17/2016

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Dear Armstrong Parents/Guardians,

This week, I am meeting with all classes to talk about bus safety. Since many of our students ride the bus to and from school each day and every student will at some point use buses for field trips, teaching bus safety is important, as well as the law. As part of the lesson, students learned about walking around and crossing in front of the bus, expected behavior on the bus, and the location of emergency exits as well as the first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Students also practiced evacuating the bus using the rear exit. Here at Armstrong, we follow the Golden Rule – Treat others the way you want to be treated. We talked about the importance of this rule, even on the bus. If you have a chance, ask your child/ren:

How should you safely walk alongside the bus? (Make sure you are always at least three big steps away from the side of the bus, behind the yellow line in front of the school. If you have dropped something alongside the bus, let the bus driver know before getting it. Never cross behind the bus).
How should you cross in front of the bus? (Take three big steps toward the front of the bus, enough to be in front of the crossing arm, and make eye contact with the bus driver. When the bus driver gives you a wave, look both ways and cross the street).
How do you safely board and exit the bus? (One person boards the bus at a time. While holding the hand rail, walk up the steps. Make sure you watch the person in front of you in case they trip. Also, make sure your shoelaces are tied before boarding and exiting the bus).
How are you expected to behave on the bus? (Sit with your back and bottom on the seat, facing forward. Make sure the aisle is always clear. Use indoor voices).
How do you exit the bus in an emergency using the rear door? (Lift the back door handle. Push open the door. Students at the back of the bus exit first. Walk to the exit and leave the bus using the “sit and scoot” method. Move away from the bus).
Where are the emergency exits and emergency equipment on the bus? (Emergency exits are located on the side windows, on the ceiling, and at the rear of the bus. The fire extinguisher and first aid kit are located next to the bus driver at the front of the bus. None of these should be used unless there is an actual emergency).
What is the Golden Rule and how can we follow it on the bus? The Golden Rule is “Treat others the way you would like to be treated.” We can follow this rule by listening to the bus driver, using indoor voices, and staying seated. We can use kind words, keep our hands to ourselves, and let others sit with us when they ask.

Thank you for your help reinforcing this important lesson!

David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH: 508-836-7760, Email: starrd@westboroughk12.org

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Safety Alerts

10/4/2016

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Dear Armstrong Parents and Guardians,

Over the next few weeks, I will be going into all Armstrong classrooms to teach students about Safety Alerts. Safety Alerts are a tool we are using to inform students and staff of any immediate safety concern. Teachers and staff are being trained in strategies to respond to a range of possible situations, most notably what would happen if someone unsafe attempted to enter the building.

As part of our lesson, students are taught about their job during a Safety Alert, which is:

1. Stop and look at the teacher
2. Listen and follow directions
3. Be quiet

Students are learning that if they are any place other than their classroom, their job is to find the nearest safe adult. All staff members at Armstrong School wear name badges students can use to identify them as safe adults.

If you have a chance, please review with your children their job during a Safety Alert. You can also ask them what they might do if they were outside of the classroom, including in the bathroom, hallway, cafeteria, recess, or specials.

Last, please encourage your children to approach their teacher or myself with any questions they might have on the Safety Alert procedure. Our goal is to have students feel comfortable, and communication is essential to making this happen.

Thank you for your help supporting this important lesson.

Sincerely,

David Starr
School Counselor, Armstrong Elementary School
PH: 508-836-7760 Email: starrd@westboroughk12.org

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3rd Grade - Brainology﻿

2nd Grade - Hunter and His Amazing Remote Control

Personal Space

October 17th, 2016

Safety Alerts

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3rd Grade - Brainology