Update on Guidance Lessons this Fall

September and October have flown by and I am enjoying teaching your children!  Below is an update on what we have covered in guidance so far this year.  If you have any questions about a topic, as always, please give me a call at 264-5951.

Puppy comes to guidance class every week!

                                                                                    
Kindergarten:

Puppy and I have been talking with students about feelings.  We first explored six primary feelings: happy, sad, mad, surprised, scared and disgusted.  Other feelings are connected to these, such as scared and worried are similar. 




• Students are learning that you can "read" how someone might be feeling by looking at their facial expression and what's happening around them. 
• Paying attention to your own body tells you how you are feelings.
• Feelings can change.  You might start out feeling one way about something but then have a change in how you feel.
• Not everyone feels the same way you do about things and that's OK.

Hopefully your child has sung "the feelings song" for you at home.  If not, ask to hear it, but I'll warn you it is catchy!

Students from Mrs. Anderson's class do sign langauge while singing the feelings song!

First and Second Grade:

This year I'm trying something new with first and second grade students.  We have always talked about ways to calm down and problem solve but this year we are exploring how and why it works.  Students have learned about three parts of the brain and the functions of those parts.  Kids have been amazing in their understanding! 

They know that the prefrontal cortex (nick-named Wise Leader) is the part of the brain that helps us learn, make good decisions and pay attention.

The Amygdala (nicknamed Security Guard) helps protect us.  It is the part of the brain that causes us to Fight, Flee, or Freeze.

The Hippocampus (nick named Scrapbook) is where our memories are stored.

When the amygdala kicks in the prefrontal cortex doesn't have the chance to think through the situation and make a good decision.  So we have been practicing what I call Mindful Breathing.  Mindful Breathing, when practiced on a regular basis, can become more automatic.  In stressful situations it can allow the brain to stop and think instead of just react.  As students practice Mindful Breathing it is stored in the hippocampus ready to be used when under stress.

Before each guidance lesson we will take 1 minute to practice Mindful Breathing.  Throughout the year we will do mindfulness activities in order to keep learning about our wonderful brains!