Social Skill Autopsies...What are they?

A great article on ways to promote positive social skills in children using "Social Skill Autopsies."

Check it out!

http://www.ldonline.org/article/14910/

Growing Social Thinking Skills at Greenbrier

For the 2015-2016 school year, we are continuing to teach and reinforce Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum across all K-5 classrooms.  We are starting the year reviewing "Whole Body Listening" then following up with Social Detective and a variety of Social Thinking lessons related to the needs of the students throughout the year.

What is Whole Body Listening?

Whole Body Listening is using all parts of your body to be an active listener.

*Eyes= Looking at the person you are talking to or that is talking to you
*Ears= Both ears are ready to hear what someone is saying
*Mouth= Quiet- no humming, making sounds, talking, etc.
*Hands= Quiet in lap, by your side, etc.
*Feet= Quiet on the floor
*Body= Facing the speaker
*Brain= Thinking about what is being said (e.g. If the teacher is talking about math then the student is thinking about math
*Heart= Caring about what the other person is saying

Why is Social Thinking Important to Teach?

*Social thinking difficulties negatively impact academics .
*People who pay attention to others make others feel good.  When others feel good about you they want to be with you.
*Students have to think about what others are thinking; this is a step in learning “perspective.”
*Students have to learn to observe other people’s behaviors and form judgments about them.
*Students have to realize that others are thinking about them.
*Social thinking is done in all environments (home, school, community) and students need to develop skills to thrive in all settings.
*Social thinkers observe the environment/context, use background knowledge and make a judgement about the expectations of that situation.  They then alter their behavior. (i.e. not just saying “Hello” the same way every time you see someone regardless of context).

As the year continues we will be utilizing various resources to enhance our student's Social Thinking skills.  I am looking forward to a great year of "Growing" Social Thinking at Greenbrier!

Growing at Greenbrier

Welcome parents and students to the 2015-2016 school year!  I am very excited to share that I will be at Greenbrier full-time this year as the K-5 and Kindergarten Communications Class Social Worker.

As the social worker, I will continue working with students individually and in groups, as well as facilitating programs such as Peer Mediators, SOLVE IT, and Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking curriculum.

Our theme this year is "Growing at Greenbrier."  I hope to see our students not only grow academically, but socially and emotionally throughout the year.  I am looking forward to a great year at Greenbrier and watching our students "grow."

Who's Ready for Summer!?

Summer is a great time to have fun with family and friends.  While having fun, it is also important to remember summer safety whether you are at the beach, playing at home, or taking a vacation.

Below are some summer safety tips for you and your family.  Enjoy your summer safely :)!

http://kidshealth.org/parent/_summerspotlight/

Give up? Or Keep Trying? Which direction do you take?

Do you ever wonder why two people can face the same adversity but handle it completely different?

Find out why!   Click the link below.

http://mentalhealthnews.org/resilience-why-one-kid-gives-up-while-another-bounces-back-infographic/842777/

Worries Worries Worries

As the school year begins to wind down, children may show their emotions in different ways.  Below are some great tips on helping your child deal with anxiety.

http://mentalhealthnews.org/dealing-with-child-anxiety-9-things-you-can-try/842633/