Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students.

1. WHAT ARE THE STEPS?
2. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS?
3. WHAT IS BANANA SPLITS?
4. WHAT IF I HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES?
5. WHAT DO I DO WHEN PEOPLE TEASE ME OR BULLY ME?
6. WHAT IF A KID HAS ADHD?
7. WHAT CAN I DO ALL SUMMER?

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

The STEPS are a tool we use at Matthew Paterson Elementary School to solve 
problems and resolve conflict. Each student involved in the problem goes 
through the STEPS while the others listen and wait for their turn to express 
themselves.  There are 4 STEPS.

1. Look the person in the eye and say what the problem is.  
2. Tell the person how it is making you feel.
3. Tell the person what you want them to do.  
4. Wait for an apology and/or apologize yourself if necessary.

Using the STEPS is a very helpful way to work through situations that come 
up with classmates during school.  It allows you to state your feelings and 
let the other person know what you want without being mean or hurting 
anyone.   Try it!

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WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS?

The best way to have friends is to be a friend.  Treat others the way you
would like to be treated.  The TOP 10 WAYS TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS is posted
in my office.  Here are some of the ideas you might try.

1.  Smile & Be Friendly 

2.  Be a Good Listener

3.  Help Others

4.  Be Honest

5.  Don't Talk about Others Behind Their Back

6.  Keep Your Promises

7.  Compromise- Give a little and Get a little.

8.  Realize We Are All The Same Inside :)

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WHAT IS BANANA SPLITS?

Banana Splits is a peer support program run by Ms. MacCarthy for 
children whose parents are separated or divorced.  Children whose parents 
have passed away or who never knew their parent are also invited.  

The group meets once a week for 7 weeks usually during lunch or recess.  
Banana Splits groups are voluntary and what we share in the group stays in 
the group. 

Groups are divided by grade level and begin with 4th graders, then 3rd 
graders, 2nd graders and finally 1st graders.  You can talk to Ms. MacCarthy 
about the group any time during the school year.

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WHAT IF I HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES?

School can be a little bit harder when you have learning disabilities. Here 
are some ways to make things easier for yourself.  Also remember to talk to 
your parents and your teacher when things get tough.

FIVE RULES FOR STUDENTS WITH LD TO LIVE BY

Rules, rules, and more rules. They're everywhere! But if you have learning 
disabilities, here are five rules to help you be what you want to be. 

 - 	Consider everything an experiment. 
 - 	Learn by trial and error, and don't avoid the errors. 
 - 	Don't spend energy worrying; just get started and it will work out. 
 - 	Get good at something other than school-related work (like 
skateboarding or cooking). 
 - 	Work hard. Then work harder. 

Richard Wanderman. Reprinted with permission from The LD Reader.

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WHAT DO I DO WHEN PEOPLE TEASE ME OR BULLY ME?

Every student has the right to a safe and happy school experience.  Check 
out the kid's website --www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org  for some great 
ideas on how to respond to kids who make fun of others. Usually, paying no 
attention to teasers, walking away when you can, and using your sense of 
humor to laugh about it helps the situation. Let your parents and teachers 
know what is happening too.  Check out the books on Bullying on the Books for 
Children page of my website and see how other kids handle this problem.

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WHAT IF A KID HAS ADHD?

A Kid In My Class Has ADHD       written by Carol E. Watkins, MD
 
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a fairly common thing. 
About one in fifteen kids has it, so there may be someone in your class with 
ADHD. Sometimes you will never know. A lot of people get much better with 
treatment. Then you can't tell them from anyone else. However, some kids 
still have difficulty sitting still and paying attention. 

What is ADHD?

 - 	Difficulty paying attention
 - 	Trouble keeping notebooks and assignments organized. Loses things a 
                 lot.
 - 	Difficulty finishing things he or she has started
 - 	Talks too much
 - 	Fidgets 
 - 	Runs around or climbs things a lot more than other kids

Some kids with ADHD are easy to spot. These are the ones that show 
everything on this list. They move around a lot. A few may have a hot-temper 
and get into fights easily. Other kids are just inattentive. They only have 
the first three things in the list. They just seem to daydream a lot. Their 
notebooks may be less organized and they may need reminders to get their 
projects finished. 

Kids with ADHD might take medication, see a tutor, have extra classroom 
help, or see a therapist. What can you do to help?

 - 	If you have a work partner with ADHD, you might help them make a 
          "to do" list.
 - 	Remind them about when assignments are due.
 - 	If you sit next to someone who is distractible, don't make it worse. 
          Don't pass them notes or jokes during study time.
 - 	If the kid has a hot temper, try not to do things that will set it 
          off. 
 - 	Don't call them "space cadet" "stupid" or other cruel names.
 - 	If they want to tell you about their medications or other 
treatments, listen. Otherwise, don't bring it up unless you are a close 
friend.
 
ADHD is not all bad. If it were, the trait would have died out centuries 
ago. People with ADHD have a lot of energy and creativity. A kid with ADHD 
may be the tireless soccer player or the one with the weird but creative 
ideas. 
This sort of kid may grow up to be a professional ball player or a famous 
inventor. Be nice to him. One day, you may be proud to say that you knew the 
guy when he was a kid.

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WHAT CAN I DO ALL SUMMER?

Summer Reading Tips for Kids 

Summer is a really great time to pick up a new book and read! Try these 
ideas for keeping summer reading exciting.


Go somewhere new. 
The place where you read a book can make the story even more meaningful. 
Take books about animals along on camping trips or sit under a tree while 
reading an adventure tale. 

Read "around the house". 
See how much reading material can be found around the house without opening 
a book. Read newspapers, magazines, Web sites, cereal boxes, toothpaste 
labels, or mail that comes to your house. Words to read are everywhere - you 
just have to look! 

Take a trip through a book. 
Read about the places you are planning to go this summer, before you get 
there. You'll know more about what you're going to see before the rest of 
the family even packs their bags. 

Read books from A-Z. 
Don't know where to start for summer reading? Let the alphabet help you. 
Start with an author whose last name begins with A and see how close to Z 
you can get by the end of the summer. 

Keep a reading journal. 
Write about the books that you read in a summer reading journal. At the end 
of the season you can see how much and what you've read. Best of all, you'll 
never forget what the best part about a book was. You can even use your 
reading journal to make book recommendations to your friends. 

Read aloud with adults. 
Adults need to read just as much as kids do. Reading aloud before bedtime or 
after a meal is a fun way to spend some time with your parents. Whether 
you're the reader or they are, don't forget to improvise different voices or 
wear a silly hat to make the story more fun! 

Start a book club. 
Neighborhood kids love to do things in groups during the summer. Why not 
start a book club with your friends? Just agree to read the same book, then 
set some time to talk about the book either after you finish a few chapters 
or at the end. 

Find a fun series. 
Find a series of books by an author who you enjoy. By the end of the summer 
you'll find you know the characters almost as well as you know your friends 
from school.

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