April:

This month’s ABC book: “One” by Kathryn Otoshi is a colorful story of acceptance and tolerance and tells the tale of how just one voice can make a difference.

Goals of lesson:

1. Students know, accept and value who they are.

2. Students believe that they have the power to make a difference in their own (and other students’) lives.

3. Students recognize that they have power within themselves to react/respond in bullying/bucket dipping situations.

We hope you will invite your child to share tonight about One. Help reinforce the positive messages at home:

· Ask your child in what areas of their life do they feel they have the most control? The least control? Why?

· Talk about ways that each family member counts!

· Practice with your child ways to de-escalate emotionally charged conversations using a calm tone of voice, positive words, and comforting body language.

· Remind your child that you think they are ONE great kid!

When you “catch” kids using positive behaviors... Notice it, Name it, and Celebrate it!

May:

In this month’s ABC book, “Recess Queen”, by Alexis O’Neill, Mean Jean the “recess queen” rules the playground with an iron fist. No one dares cross her path for fear of being hit, punched, or kicked. One day, a new girl shows up on the playground and catches Mean Jean completely off guard. Katie Sue is not the least bit intimidated by Mean Jean. Katie Sue actually invites Jean to join in a jump rope game! In no time, Jean and Katie Sue become friends.

Goals of the lesson:

o Empower students to use their skills as UPstanders to create a safe and caring climate on the school playground.

o Practice using conflict resolution skills.

o Use the ABC student toolbox of techniques practiced all year in our ABC Lessons.

o Demonstrate a connection between student’s online and face to face community.

As a caring adult, here are steps you can use to help youth in emotionally charged conflicts:

• Help them identify the conflict.

• Without interruption, have each person describe briefly what happened.

• Use empathetic listening. No judging, just listening.

• Have each of the persons involved name how they feel with an “I statement”:

• Help children repeat and refine their statements until tension from the misunderstanding or conflict subsides.

• Celebrate the successful resolution of conflicts and acknowledge the compromises each person made so that the solution would work!

When you “catch” kids modeling positive behaviors… Notice, Name it, Celebrate it!