Blog Archives

Kindergarten and First Grade Personal Space

11/26/2018

Dear Kindergarten and First Grade Parents/Guardians,

This week, we are reviewing 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 tell another student you need more personal space?

Answer: Be kind and 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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3rd Grade Brainology

11/14/2018

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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 develop a growth mindset 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 are doing 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

11/14/2018

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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. 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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Our Brains Help Us

11/1/2018

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Dear First Grade Parents and Guardians,

This week, students are thinking about ways they can be a better learner. Here at Armstrong, everyone is taught the components of Whole Body Listening. This includes using your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and body to ensure that all of your senses are focused on the person speaking.

Active listening involves more than utilizing these senses; it requires an individual to think about the information they see and hear. For this lesson, students are thinking about the ways their brains help them to listen and learn.

As part of this lesson, students cut out and colored brains, then wrote one way their brain helps them. They should be bringing their brains home and sharing them with you throughout this week.

As your children grow and develop, try and help them continue to think about ways they can support their brain to do its best thinking. This will hopefully help to make them a stronger student and member of our community.

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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Whole Body Listening

11/1/2018

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Dear Kindergarten Parents and Guardians,

This week, we are talking about whole body listening in kindergarten classes. Being the best listener you can be takes more than using your ears to hear. It takes your whole body to truly listen. As part of our lesson, are reviewing the many parts of our body that are important to being a successful listener. These include:

Eyes on speaker
Mouth closed and quiet
Body still and calm
Ears listening
Hands in lap and free of materials
Brain thinking
Heart feeling

If you have a moment, please ask your child to share the different parts of their body they use to be a successful listener at school.

Thank you for your help reviewing this important lesson.

Sincerely,

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

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Kindergarten and First Grade Personal Space

3rd Grade Brainology

2nd Grade - Hunter and His Amazing Remote Control

Our Brains Help Us

Whole Body Listening

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