Self-Reflection
Visible Thinking
Visible Thinking is a flexible approach to integrating the teaching and development of thinking within all content areas. This site offers creative practices to strengthen thinking skills and deepen content knowledge. Explore this site to learn more about "visible thinking" strategies that will increase student engagement.
Exploring Parts and Wholes
This site offers activities for students to increase their understanding of the critical importance of parts to whole. "When parts are put together they can do things they couldn't do themselves." (I see a strong science/art connection here!) Students discuss and analyze parts of toys, school items, nature objects, etc. to deepen their understanding of the interdependence of parts in a system. ("Examine a pencil sharpener. List what you see. Draw what you see. How do the different parts make this a "whole" functioning unit?" If you remove this piece, will it still work?)
"Parts to Whole" is also a great theme for self-reflection activities regarding the importance of individual class members as essential "parts" of the "whole" team. Each member of the class has a responsibility to the whole class so that the class team functions at a high level. Each member of the class has something of value to contribute to the whole. To perform at an optimal level as a whole group, there must be positive interdependence among the parts.
It's Who I Am
The lesson plan in this site explores diversity within the classroom. Students make a "name banner" to introduce themselves at the beginning of the school year. They include descriptive words, that match the letters of their names, to tell about themselves . I will adapt this lesson to include both text and illustrations. It could precede a self-portrait activity.
Social and Emotional Curriculum: Self-Reflection
There are 2 components of this site that I like. The first is Color Breathing. This technique requires the student to associate a color with happiness and calm, and another color with stress, frustration and anger. They breathe in the calm color and breathe out the stress color. With practice, emotions can change from impulsive reactions to more relaxed responses. This idea ties in with the color wheel and color psychology. It's worth a try!
The second is Angeles Arrien's The Four Rivers:
- What inspired you today?
- What surprised you today?
- What challenged you today?
- What made you feel connected today?
Social and Emotional Curriculum: Interdependence
Just as we need all systems of the body to work together in order to be healthy, we all need to work together so that everyone can learn in a safe and happy environment. "What kind of choices are you making? How do you think they affect other people's happiness and ultimately your happiness?" This site explains categories of interdependence: self, the body, the earth, and relationships. I see a strong connection between this site and the "Exploring Parts to Whole" site.
Social and Emotional Curriculum: Sharing Your Gift
"Everyone is born with a gift. For both teachers and students, an important question to consider is: What makes you unique - what is the gift that you have to share?"
"A fun classroom activity is having each student write his or her gift (funny, kind, athletic, musical, computer-savvy, a good listener, artistic, etc.) on a puzzle piece. When the puzzle is put together, you get a bird's eye view not only on how the students regard themselves, but how everyone can work together based on their talents and strengths."
Note: Each class could make its own puzzle - a fun, team-building activity for September.
Social and Emotional Curriculum: Compassion in Action
Compassion is key to inner-happiness. This article explains the difference between self-esteem and self-compassion. Self-Compassion will allow us to be givers of compassion. Strategies are offered to promote self compassion. A strong foundation in self-compassion will lead to "compassion in action."