Social Skills Circle

A discussion to explore students' understanding and experiences with social skills.

What are some examples of good social skills?

Encourage students to think about behaviors that help in making friends and working with others.

Why is it important to manage our emotions when interacting with others?

Discuss how emotions can affect communication and relationships.

Can you share a time when you used a social skill to solve a problem?

Guide students to reflect on past experiences and the outcomes of using social skills.

Self-Management Scenarios

A worksheet to help students think about how they would handle various situations requiring self-management.

You forgot your homework at home. What do you do?

Think about how you can solve the problem without getting upset.

A friend is upset with you for not sharing a toy. How do you handle it?

Consider how you can communicate and resolve the issue.

You feel nervous about speaking in front of the class. What strategies can you use to calm down?

Reflect on techniques like deep breathing or positive self-talk.

Role-Playing Scenarios

Printable cards for role-playing activities to practice social skills.

Scenario 1: You see someone sitting alone at lunch. What do you do?

Scenario 2: Your friend is upset because they lost a game. How can you help?

Scenario 3: You and a classmate both want to use the same computer. How do you resolve it?

Scenario 4: You accidentally bump into someone in the hallway. What should you say?

Scenario 5: A new student joins your class. How can you make them feel welcome?

Teamwork Activities

Printable handouts for group activities focused on teamwork and collaboration.

Activity 1: Build a tower using only straws and tape. Work together to make it as tall as possible.

Activity 2: Create a group story where each person adds one sentence. See how creative you can be!

Activity 3: Solve a puzzle together without talking. Use gestures and expressions to communicate.

Activity 4: Plan a class event together, deciding on roles and responsibilities.

Activity 5: Work in pairs to draw a picture, with one person giving instructions and the other drawing.

Applying Social Skills Discussion

A discussion to reflect on how students have applied social skills in real-life situations and the importance of continuous practice.

How have you used social skills outside of school?

Encourage students to share specific examples and the outcomes.

Why is it important to keep practicing social skills?

Discuss how continuous practice can lead to improvement and better relationships.

What is one social skill you want to improve, and how will you do it?

Guide students to set personal goals and think about actionable steps.

Tips for Building Friendships

A handout providing practical tips and social skills to help students build friendships and connections with their peers.

Tips for Building Friendships

1. Be a Good Listener: Pay attention when your friends are talking. Show interest in what they have to say.

2. Share and Take Turns: Sharing toys and taking turns in games shows that you care about others' feelings.

3. Be Kind and Respectful: Use kind words and respect others' opinions, even if they are different from yours.

4. Help Others: Offer help when you see someone in need. It can be as simple as helping with a task or offering a comforting word.

5. Be Honest: Honesty builds trust. Always tell the truth and be sincere in your actions.

6. Apologize When Needed: If you make a mistake, say sorry. It shows that you care about your friends' feelings.

7. Include Everyone: Make sure no one feels left out. Invite others to join in activities and games.

8. Have Fun Together: Enjoy activities that you and your friends like. Laughter and fun strengthen friendships.

By practicing these tips, you can build strong and lasting friendships with your peers.

Parent Letter and Permission Slip

A letter to parents informing them about the 6-week social skills program, including objectives, activities, and a permission slip for participation.

Dear Parents,

We are excited to introduce a new 6-week program at Harwich Elementary School designed to help our 3rd graders develop essential self-management and social skills. This program, titled "Social Skills Adventure," will take place once a week for 30 minutes and will include engaging activities and discussions.

Program Objectives:

• Develop self-management skills
• Enhance social skills
• Foster teamwork and collaboration
• Improve communication and conflict resolution abilities

Weekly Focus:

• Week 1: Introduction to Social Skills
• Week 2: Understanding Emotions
• Week 3: Communication Skills
• Week 4: Conflict Resolution
• Week 5: Teamwork and Collaboration
• Week 6: Applying Social Skills

We believe that these skills are crucial for your child's overall development and success in school and beyond. Please sign the permission slip below to allow your child to participate in this valuable program.

Permission Slip

I, ________________________, give permission for my child, ________________________, to participate in the "Social Skills Adventure" program at Harwich Elementary School.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________ Date: ___________

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

For the Birds Discussion

A discussion to explore the themes of inclusion and empathy in the video 'For the Birds.'

What did you notice about how the small birds treated the big bird?

Encourage students to think about the actions and attitudes of the small birds and how it affected the big bird.

How did the big bird react to the small birds' behavior?

Discuss the big bird's response and what it tells us about handling unkindness.

What can we learn from this story about treating others?

Guide students to reflect on the importance of kindness, inclusion, and empathy in their interactions.

Effective Communication Skills

A handout that explains the importance of communication skills, what makes communication effective, and how to be a good listener.

Effective Communication Skills

Why Communication Skills are Important:

• Communication is key to building relationships and working with others.
• It helps us express our thoughts and feelings clearly.
• Good communication can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

What Makes Communication Effective:

1. Clarity: Be clear and concise in your message.
2. Active Listening: Pay attention to what others are saying without interrupting.
3. Empathy: Try to understand things from the other person's perspective.
4. Body Language: Use positive body language to show you are engaged.
5. Feedback: Provide constructive feedback and be open to receiving it.

How to Be a Good Listener:

• Focus: Give the speaker your full attention.
• Acknowledge: Nod or use small verbal cues to show you are listening.
• Reflect: Repeat back what you've heard to confirm understanding.
• Ask Questions: Ask questions if you need clarification.
• Avoid Interrupting: Let the speaker finish before you respond.

By practicing these skills, you can become a more effective communicator and build stronger connections with others.

Conflict Resolution Strategies

A handout providing strategies and steps for resolving conflicts peacefully, including role-playing scenarios for practice.

Conflict Resolution Strategies

Why Conflict Resolution is Important:

• Helps maintain positive relationships.
• Prevents misunderstandings and escalations.
• Encourages problem-solving and cooperation.

Steps for Resolving Conflicts:

1. Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and keep your emotions in check.
2. Listen Actively: Pay attention to the other person's perspective without interrupting.
3. Express Your Feelings: Use "I" statements to express how you feel without blaming.
4. Find Common Ground: Look for areas where you both agree.
5. Brainstorm Solutions: Work together to find a solution that satisfies both parties.
6. Agree on a Plan: Decide on a course of action and stick to it.
7. Follow Up: Check in later to ensure the solution is working.

Role-Playing Scenarios:

• Scenario 1: You and a friend both want to play with the same toy.
• Scenario 2: A classmate accidentally bumps into you and doesn't apologize.
• Scenario 3: You and a sibling disagree on what to watch on TV.

By practicing these strategies, you can resolve conflicts peacefully and maintain positive relationships.