Improving "Social Smarts" at Greenbrier

Since the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year, Ellen Hajek, Speech/Language Pathologist, and I have begun teaching all of the students at Greenbrier the Social Thinking Curriculum by Michelle Garcia Winner.  There are many elements to this curriculum.  We started the school year with Whole Body Listening, which teaches specific behaviors related to successfully participating in a conversation or listening situation.  We have begun to move into the Social Detective piece that teaches "expected" vs. "unexpected" behaviors.  Our classroom groups will incorporate practice with analyzing situations and identifying behaviors that are socially acceptable ("expected"; encourage others to feel calm or possibly even pleased ) and not as common ("unexpected"; encourage those who witness the behavior to feel stress or possibly become upset). A student’s ability to observe, evaluate and adapt to a situation can help to change their behavior in that situation.  We believe that integrating the program into all of the classrooms will benefit all students and teach common language that can be used throughout the school day.  Additionally, the curriculum connects to the Superflex character from Social Thinking who is part of our school-wide superhero theme this year.  We are very excited to be teaching this program in all of the K-5 classrooms and watching the students' "social smarts" grow each day.

"Like a girl..."What does that really mean?

Below is a great ad I found that makes you think...what does it mean when people say "like a girl?"

Check it out!

http://m.fastcocreate.com/3032424/this-always-ad-asks-what-it-means-to-do-something-like-a-girl

WELCOME BACK GATORS AND WILDCATS!!!

Welcome back parents and students to the 2014-2015 school year!  As the K-5 and Transitional Kindergarten social worker at Greenbrier I will continue seeing students individually and in groups, as well as continuing programs such as Peer Mediators and SOLVE IT.  At Windsor, I will continue to provide individual and group services to students in the Communications program.

Greenbrier's theme this year is Superheroes.  We kicked off the year with an all school assembly about how we can each be our own superheroes.  I look forward to working with students and helping to teach, motivate, and reinforce our Superhero theme:

Try your best

Stay True

Find the Superhero in YOU!

Who's Ready For Summer?

Summer is a great time to relax and have fun.  Below is a list of some summer activities you can do with your friends and family.

http://www.care.com/child-care-101-fun-things-to-do-with-kids-this-summer-p1017-q27919161.html

"Cool Down" with Coping skills!

It is a normal part of life to feel angry, happy, sad, or scared in different situations.  What is important is how you handle those feelings so that you do not hurt yourself or others.  The link below are some strategies I have put together to help students "Cool Down" when they are upset and help them move on.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u58qdf3rnexdi83/Screen%20Shot%202014-04-29%20at%203.04.39%20PM.png

Positive Praise...What Messages Stick?

The following article talks about how girls perceive praise and what messages stick with them throughout their life.  It is extremely important to praise the "process" vs. the "result."

Check out the article below for more details :).

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/04/giving-good-praise-to-girls-what-messages-stick/

Middle School Is Approaching...How can I help?

Hey Parents!

The Middle School transition can be both exciting and anxiety-provoking for parents and children.  See some helpful tips on how to help your child through this transition.

http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/health/980-smoothing-your-childs-transition-to-middle-school.gs