A Good Case of Classroom Guidance

First Grade Guidance Lesson! 

Whew! What a busy week!  We had a snow day yesterday which served as a great mini fall break for our students and our staff. I enjoyed it as well and got a lot of self-care time in... for me that equals long walks in the snow, working out, painting my nails, and baking.

I could have spent that time planning, but used it for evil and not good ; )

I am really excited for my finale lesson in first grade and wanted to show you all what I have been doing with them. The teachers requested that I do lessons on tattling vs. telling and also problem solving.

A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue 

I started with a great book, and awesome resource: A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook. I do not own this book...yet. But, fortunately, my public library had it in stock. This book tales the tall tale of a boy named Josh who tattles way too much. Eventually, the Tattle Prince comes to visit with him to tell him the rules of tatteling:

1. Be a Danger Ranger
          If a person or animal is in danger, you must warn someone!
2. Be a Problem Solver
          If the problem involves you, take charge and try hard to solve it
          yourself first
3. Now or Later?
          Is the pronlem a "NOW" problem or a "NOT NOW" problem?
          Can your problem be solved at a later time?
4. Mind Your Own Beeswax!
           If the problem is not dangerous and it does not involve you....
           DO NOT TATTLE!

Solution Poster

These rules are easy to follow and help students think about when and why they should get an adult involved. The classes and I also worked on different scenarios in which they told me whether it would be telling or tattling.

I created the posters for each classroom to remind the students when it is okay to involve an adult. Now, we are talking about what it really means to be a problem solver. I stole this idea from the Kelso's Choice Curriculum- which has a conflict choice wheel. I made it smaller and more manageable for the students to remember. The students will be encouraged to try 2 solutions first before going to an adult for help. Solutions include:
        -Use an "I" Message
        -Say "I'm Sorry"
        -Ignore It
        -Share and Take Turns
        -Ask Them to Stop

We will be talking about each solution separately so the kids understand how to use them. I am very excited to be following through with these classes... the teachers are already using the Tattle Tongue rules in class and reminding their students of them.

It is awesome to have the teachers AND the student's buy-in. LOVE IT.