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The third grade keeps us busy with all of their social difficulties,
especially just after recess! I keep reminding the kids to think about the
other person's perspective, to include everyone (no one likes to be left
out), and that it's okay not to agree on all things. This is hard for them,
but we continue to talk about it.
Your help would be much appreciated as in these areas. Try not to
immediately "take sides" with your child as they talk about difficulties at
school. Ask lots of questions and see if you can guide them into a solution
that benefits everyone. Although this isn't always possible, it is the
approach we tend to use intitally.
Try to get your child to talk about their part in the conflict rather
than only focusing on what the other person did. There is a lot of "he
said/she said" amongst the third graders as they begin to deal with conflict and learning
how to resolve conflict in a constructive manner.
I have not started teaching in the 3rd grades yet, but hope too in the near future. Each week I bring
a different activity, which focuses on how to be a good citizen. I facilitate activities that focus on
feelings, sharing, being left out, dealing with anger, solving conflicts peacefully, being encouraging to
others, bullying behaviors, and the difference between bullying and conflicts.
I send a strong message that no one should be left out at school. That
school is not really the place to try to play with "one" friend and no one else. Discussion includes
how each one of them would feel if they were the one to be left out or told they can't play with
someone. Recess is a very social time and it is typically just after recess that most kids show up at
my door! I spend time at recess to attempt to solve some of the issues as they are happening.
Please email or call me with any questions at any time. Parents are welcome to join our class
discussions. Feel free to call or email me to find out when I will be in your child's classroom.
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