Parents,
Peace lessons
Our focus this week in our peace lessons will be on conflict resolution by using a peace rose. It is used much like a talking stick. Students can take turns talking to each other in order to resolve an issue in the classroom. We find that this is a very valuable lesson, one that creates good life skills and empowers children to problem solve and resolve conflict without adult intervention. This leads me to the concept of saying sorry. When someone does something to hurt another they should apologize, this is the socially and morally acceptable thing to do. We often try to teach our children to apologize by forcing them to say sorry. Two things happen when we do this. The first is that the forced apology does, whether sincere or not, is loose it’s power to heal. Have you ever received an apology from someone who was forced to do it? You may feel better in that your feelings were validated, but it does not bring about good feelings towards the person who wronged you. It is the same with children, and some children will refuse to apologize putting you in a power struggle (Always avoid power struggles!). We must treat children with more respect. When two children enter the peace area each child will get a turn to hold the peace rose and tell their side of the story without any interruptions. If they need my help, I will validate how each child was feeling. Throughout the discussion, I will do my best not to make any judgment calls on who was right, and who was wrong. I will also ask questions to help the children better understand what happened or how their actions may have contributed to what happened. Then I will ask each child (if necessary) to ask the other what they can do to make it better. This is better than an apology in that an apology does not always make things better and allowing them to decide what they want as the solution puts the power into the hands of the students. Sometimes a student will ask for an apology, sometimes it is just saying they won’t do it again, sometimes it is a hug/handshake and sometimes it is nothing. I also allow the students to refuse to do what is requested and offer another solution instead, this does not happen often in that students are usually willing to fix a problem when they see that their side of the story matters too. In the end both children hold on to the peace rose look each other in the eye and say “We declare peace”.
Snack
Beginning this week we will introduce individual snack. Each day we have snack available in our room. Our snack is provided by donations from you, the parents. If you have not taken the time to sign up yet please visit our track it forward site to do so. Here is the link https://www.trackitforward.com/site/389525/events Snack is a very important part of our day. Last week we had group snack. We all sat together and used our best manners, saying words like please, and thank you, waiting for others, and cleaning up after ourselves. The main purpose of snack in our environment is to teach grace and courtesy (it also fills hungry bellies). We want the children to learn to take care of themselves, the environment, and others. Once we begin individual snack, the children will have the opportunity to feed themselves when they have a need. However, we do encourage the children to only have snack once to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to eat. It is the child’s responsibility to regulate their own bodies, a skill that will help them throughout their lives. If Ms. Jess or I notice a student that appears to be having a drop in blood sugar, by behaviors such as tired, frustrated, overly emotional, or mental blocks, we will ask some leading questions to help guide the child into having some snack. We will not however, be reminding everyone to eat. Some children don’t need snack or find it exhausting to follow all the procedures involved such as washing hands, getting snack, eating, and washing plates. So don’t be too surprised if they choose not to eat snack.
Here are the guidelines for snack. We have a student with a peanut allergy this year so please avoid snacks with peanuts. Typically we like to offer one fruit or veggie and one whole grain each day. Our snacks portions are small, (think 2 apple slices and a 1/4 cup of goldfish) but we have 25 students in each class. Check the ingredients on any processed food, if the first two ingredients contain sugar than they are not appropriate for school snack. If we are not able to serve snack items in our class we will send them home with your child. Please know we are not passing any judgment. There are plenty of snacks in my cupboard at home that would not qualify as school snacks.
Here is a list of some appropriate snacks: (you may have other ideas and that is great!)
Unprepared produce (we will prepare them in class)- Apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, grapes, celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, blueberries, jicama, cherries, olives, sweet peppers, cucumbers etc.
Grains: Goldfish crackers, Ritz crackers, wheat thins, corn chips, pretzels, sunflower seeds, popcorn, club crackers, graham crackers (check sugar), veggie chips, bagels, rice cakes
Other: Cheese, humus, guacamole, salsa, yogurts (check sugar), dried fruit, fruit snacks (check sugar), cream cheese, milk
We will begin our study of biology by talking about living and non-living things. We will introduce magnets in physical science and in art we will begin our study of the elements of art by looking at color first. This month we will focus on primary colors.
“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”
― Maria Montessori
Have a great week.
Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess