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Team Work Makes the Dream Work!
When You Don't Fix What IS Broken
Positive Action Lessons
Unit Three Main Ideas and Learning Targets
Self management refers to choices individuals make about resources over which they are stewards. Positive Action refers to these resources as the eight gifts: time, talent, energy, thoughts, feelings, actions, possessions, and money. Everyone possesses some share of these eight "gifts" and much of our pleasure and success in life depends on the positive management choices one makes in their use.
Emotions are especially crucial to anyone's happiness. They add zest and interest to life, but they can also be destructive. A person must learn to control emotions, not be controlled by them. The nine specific feelings discussed are: anger, worry, jealousy, pride, fear, loneliness, thankfulness, discouragement, and love.
-Positive Action
Week 11: Curious-Eager to learn how and why things happen
Week 12: Decision-To think about the choices and pick the best one
Week 13: Time-When something happens; Energy-The force to do something
Week 14: Talent-A natural ability that can be developed
Week 15: Possessions-Things you are responsible for; Money-Coins and bills
Kindergarten
Picks-It introduces Nix-It to the jungle animals. The jungle animals want to join Picks-It and Nix-It on their journey, but are discouraged because they are too big and heavy to fit in Picks-It's little raft. Miska Monkey says the jungle animals can build a boat. She says they have the time, energy, possession (wood), and money (coconuts) to buy what they need. The animals will use their special gifts to get the job done. Students learn it is their job to use their "gifts" well. They learn it takes self-discipline to do jobs when we would rather do other things.
Students learn about using time wisely, instead of wasting it, and Leonard the Lion teaches students about using their energy wisely. Leonard had made poor choices and lacked the energy he needed to do his job. He woke up too early, skipped breakfast, and played before getting to his work. To make up for being behind, he tried to rush through his work, but that further depleted his energy. He disappointed his friends when his part of the boat was not ready. Students discussed what Leonard could have done that would have been better for his energy.
The jungle animals came across an abandoned house and knew instantly they could use the wood to build their boat. Some of the boards were too long, but Miska found a saw in the shed. The animals planned who would do what and then spent the rest of the day playing. That night, it rained and the next morning, the realized the saw had been left out and was a bit rusty. They discussed how important this possession was, and that they had to take care of it. Students discussed how to take care of their possessions, and the consequences that can occur when they do not.
Next, students learn about the important role money plays in their lives. They learn they need to take care of their money and spend it wisely. Students play store and learn to use their money wisely.
Miska Money introduces students to talents when she is sad because she thought she was the only animal without a talent. The other jungle animals shared with Miska the many talents they recognized in her. Students learned that although some talents are singing, dancing, and sports, there are other talents like being friendly, polite, funny, caring, and more. Students put on a talent show in their classroom to share their talents with the group.
Students learn that sharing their talents makes them feel good, but some people make themselves feel negative all the time. They review positive actions begin with positive thoughts and negative actions begin with negative thoughts. Students learn that if they can replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts, they can change the way they feel about things. If they try to think positively about things they don't like or don't like to do, they will begin to feel better about what they have to do.
Many of the jungle animals were feeling down because building the boat was difficult for animals. They began having a lot of negative thoughts. The students wrote a letter to the animals to suggest positive thoughts the animals could think to get rid of the negative thoughts and feelings they were having. The letter helped the animals feel better and inspireed them to think positively as well. The animals learned that thinking positively can be difficult, but it is possible when they practice.
The end of the six-weeks concludes with learning to manage the feeling of anger. They learn that to control negative emotions, they have to change the thoughts that make them upset. First, they have to stop the negative emotion. They learn to recognize when they are about to lose their tempers and get angry and also how to stop themselves and calm down.
First Grade
Students learn that a choice is the power to decide on something. They are reminded about positive thoughts and actions and self-management. They discuss how self-management is not always easy, but they will become stronger people, and feel better about themselves when they can successfully self-manage.
First graders learn about managing their own time by planning ahead, deciding what is important, not putting things off, and doing unpleasant things first. They also learned about making positive choices to conserve and acquire energy, like getting enough sleep, and eating properly, and exercising.
In the Story of Alice's School Supplies, students learned the importance of being responsible for their own possessions. They learned that some items are shared possessions, such as books from the classroom library, or a class pet and they need to be respectful of others by being responsible when they interact with shared possessions.
In the story, Mary's Money, students learned the importance of planning and spending money carefully. They learned to be aware of how much money they have, keep their money in a safe place, and not to take their money out and play with it, or it might get lost. They also learned about earning money and saving money.
Next, students learn about their talents. They learn that everyone has talents, and that they can always be improved upon with practice.
Positive Pat and Negative Ned are introduced when students discuss positive and negative thoughts. Students are reminded they can choose to have positive thoughts. They discuss the stoplight poster: First stop and think about our thoughts. Next, choose the most positive one. Positive Pat and Negative Ned then help students practice turning negative thoughts into positive ones instead.
Students then learn how managing their feelings is a positive action and that it helps them to feel good about themselves. They also learn to identify the feelings they may experience when they encounter various situations.
Second Grade
They next look at self-discipline and how as they get older, they will need to take charge of their own lives. They will have to make themselves do things that are important or necessary, or keep themselves from doing something that they shouldn't do.
Students learn about their eight "gifts" and that they must learn to manage these resources wisely and that a wise person uses positive actions to care for their gifts.
They were introduced to a fictional character, David who was always late to everything. He didn't feel bad when his tardiness affected others, but finally came to understand the importance of being prompt when he was going to miss out on things that were important to him. Students learned about using their time wisely by: planning ahead, deciding what is important, not putting things off, and doing unpleasant things first.
Next students discussed using their energy wisely by becoming aware of times during the day when they have the most energy and planning to do important jobs and tasks during those times.
Students then learn about the responsibility of taking care of their possessions. They also learn about money management. They learned to be aware of how much they have, what it is meant for, and what is available to spend. They need to keep their money in a safe place, and think about what they need instead of simply what they want. They learn that they may need to earn money for things they want because their parents have to buy the things you need.
Second graders then move on to expand their knowledge about their talents. They learn they can improve upon their talents by practicing them, and that everyone has these natural abilities. Students work on recognizing their own talents as well as those of others.
They review the thoughts-actions-feelings circle, and how positive thoughts lead to positive actions and negative thoughts lead to negative actions. They were introduced to the story, Julius and Ralph, which was about two ants. Julius always had positive thoughts whereas Ralph always thought negatively. The other ants wanted to be around Julius, but not Ralph because Ralph was always grumbled and did poor work while Julius was happy and worked quickly. Students discussed which ant they would rather be, or be friends with and why, and how positive actions attract others.
Second grade students finish the month by exploring feelings. They discuss situations that make them angry, and positive ways to handle the situations. They also explored the emotions of love, and worry.
Third Grade
In the story, Practicing to be a Carpenter, Becky was a little girl who loved watching houses being constructed. One day she met a boy who shared this interest. After all of the carpenters left for the day, the boy talked Becky into going to explore the new house even though her parents had told her not to. Once inside, Matt convinced Becky that they could help the carpenters by painting the walls. The next day, Becky got into a lot of trouble and found out that her actions were vandalism that her family would have to pay for. Even though it was Matt's idea, Becky learned that she was responsible for her own actions. She chose to disobey her parents and she chose to paint the wall. After the story concluded, students discussed Becky and Matt's actions and what it means to be responsible for one's actions.
Next, students learned that they each had the responsibility to make choices each day, and they must choose between positive or negative actions. They also revisit how positive actions lead to positive feelings. They discussed what it means to have self-discipline, and by having self-discipline, they control whether they choose to take positive actions, or keep themselves from doing something bad.
Students explore their own resources (gifts) and learn to manage them wisely. First, they explore time, and learn to make plans for managing their time. They begin keeping track of how well they manage their time. Next, they explore their energy, and the rules for making sure they always have enough. They must stay healthy, be positive, and know their limits.
Third grade students move on to learn the positive actions for respecting and caring for possessions. They discuss being respectful of others by being responsible when using shared possessions, and learn about treating others' possessions carefully in the story, The Best Little Cowboy in the County. In the story, Randy learned that others' possessions mean as much to them as his did to Randy. Randy felt badly when he mistreated another person's pony, stable, and gear.
Students continue their journey of learning to manage their "gifts" with lessons about managing money. They learn to be aware of the money they have, determine what its meant for, and how much they can or cannot spend. They learn to keep their money in a safe place, and discuss focusing on needs over wants. They discuss impulse spending why saving is important. They determine jobs third graders can do to earn money, and that doing things that help others is a positive action.
Third graders begin to explore their talents, and how to further develop them. They discover that talent is not simply about being a good athlete, or artist, but instead it is any special ability they have. Students create ads for themselves to advertise their own strengths and skills and are urged to celebrate their skills. They conclude by discussing the variety of job opportunities available to people with their specific talents.
In the story Arthur, a parrot helps his owner to learn that she can always think positively if she really wants to, even though sometimes it would be easier to think negatively. Arthur tells her, "thinking positively helps you feel good!"
The classes move on to focus on devoting their days to saying only nice things to everyone they encounter, and how taking positive actions can make things better for themselves and others. In the touching story I'm Home, Emily was a little girl whose mom had to go back to work after her father had moved away. The house was in disarray with dishes, mail, and newspapers piling up. She initially felt sorry for herself and thought her mom was being lazy...Surely it wasn't Emily's fault everything was a mess! She missed the time she used to spend with her mom and the fun they always had. Then she remembered the day her mom told her that she had to take the job, and that they had to help each other. Emily felt terrible that she had not been helping, and decided to do her part so she and her mom could have more time to spend together. After the story, students practice turning negative thoughts into positive thoughts, and how those thoughts would make them act.
Unit three concludes with students learning to manage themselves using social/emotional positive actions. They learn to identify their feelings, and how being aware of their feelings is an action that will help them to have a happy, healthy life. They work on recognizing what makes them angry and then try to avoid situations they know will lead them to feeling angry. They discuss not taking their anger out on others who are not to blame. They should try to understand about the situation and their anger. They learn that if they can't do anything about situations that cause them anger, they can express their anger in positive ways by: physical or creative activities, doing work (housework, yard work...), or giving themselves time to calm down. They also explore love and worry. Students learn that worry is something everyone experiences, but worrying too much about things that cannot be changed is not healthy. Instead, they can choose a positive action to make things better.
They explore jealousy, how it makes them feel badly, and the positive actions they can take when they experience jealousy:
- Recognize jealous feelings
- decide why we feel as we do
- think about the good things we have and the positive attention we receive from others, and then compare them with the thing that is making us jealous
- share that person's happiness
Making Something Out of Nothing!
Please send us your pictures and stories of your family's creative outdoor experiences via the email list in the EMS contact information below.
EMS ISD LiiNK Contact Information
Email: cwilliams-martin@ems-isd.net
Website: http://www.emsisd.com/Domain/5807
Location: 1200 Old Decatur Road, Saginaw, TX, United States
Phone: 817-232-0880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emsisdliink/
Twitter: @EMSISDLiiNK