Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me ....
Wait, REALLY?? Do we truly believe that WORDS can't hurt?
Our words are powerful.
We can build resilience and learn tostay calm when others are rude or hurtful. We can try to ignore insults and use only kind words ourselves.
But the truth is,
words can cause lasting harm to any one of us.
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Swears. Using bad language is on the rise and that's not a good thing.
Swearing can make people feel uncomfortable and create a negative environment. Curse words are disrespectful. Using bad language can give the impression that you don't care about others.
If you want to show people your best self, choose a better word.
People swear when they might have a hard time expressing big emotions. You must find the courage to say what you mean and ask for what you need.
Be smart. Find your courage. Listen to your heart. There is always a better word.
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Jokes.Sometimes jokes aren't funny. Sometimes jokes can really hurt.
Humor should connect people and bring us together. Good jokes can make the mood light and fun. We just need to ensure that everyone is included and feels safe when the laughter happens.
Never joke about the unique characteristics of a group or individual. Don't use profanity or mean words. A joke isn't a joke if it hurts.
"You're too sensitive."
"Chill out. I was just kidding."
"Can't you take a joke?"
If you've ever been on the receiving end of one of these comments, you know it can make you feel even worse than the joke that was just made at your expense.
If a mistake is made and someone is hurt by a joke, don't minimize it.
Admit your mistake. Apologize and make it right. Do better the next time.
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The Words We Tell Ourselves.
Perhaps the most important words are the words we tell ourselves. Sometimes we might struggle with a challenge, or we might make a mistake.
We might be angry and call ourselves names or put ourselves down. Our words matter. If we're not careful, we can start to believe the words we say.
Choose KIND words, forgiving words, accepting words. Tell yourself you are GOOD and SMART, FUNNY and KIND.
If we are careful, we will BE the WORDS we TELL ourselves.
Our words are powerful. Choose wisely. Show that you respect and care about the people around you.
Accept challenges.Ask questions.Make mistakes. Admit you don't know the answer, YET!
We've had a great year, but It's APRIL and spring fever might be trying to set in. 🥀
You have been strong and stayed positive and learned so much! Sometimes when things become difficult we lose our confidence, or our motivation, and feel like giving up.
It takes courageto try again, it takes courage to make mistakes, but that is what it takes to develop your growth mindset.
When you feel stuck, try changing your words.
Changing your words can change your thoughts too!
It helps when we remember that success doesn't just happen overnight. Success takes work, and lots of it! We can train our brain and we can find new ways to solve problems, if we tell ourselves we CAN! You know how to work hard. You've seen what can happen when you DON'T GIVE UP! So, try one MORE time!
Do you want to earn more about GROWTH MINDSET?
Follow this link to the bitmoji classroom and explore books, videos and more!
🎵🎶🎵🎶 Check Out this Growth Mindset SONG LIST 🎵🎶🎵 🎶
The “in like a lion, out like a lamb” saying makes sense because March is typically when we see the transition between winter and spring. The weather can be wild and windy and less predictable when we begin the month and it usually calms down, warms up, and becomes more settled by the end. We can start to discard all of the warm protective gear that has kept us feeling safe and warm, and begin to enjoy the heat from the sun once again.
Going through transitions and change is much like experiencing the month of March.In the beginning we often experience a variety of strong emotions, and often feel like we have no control. Once we have passed through the change, we often find that we have learned a lot and can even feel stronger.
Here are a few transitions that might feel challenging to manage:
Changing friendships or social groups
Beginning school, or changing schools
Transitioning to middle school
Moving to a new home or city
Welcoming a new sibling
Parents’ separation or divorce
Losing a loved one or pet
While we cannot affect how the month of March will go, there are a number of things we CAN DO when we experience change. One really helpful activity is called the Circle of Control. The circle of control is a tool that helps us think about what we can and can't control in our lives. It's a way of thinking that can help us focus on what we can change and let go of what we can't.
What things can YOU control?
Whatever we are experiencing, it is ALWAYS important and helpful to share our feelings with people we trust. If you are going through a change, think about your thoughts and how your body feels. Try to name your feeling. Wonder about WHY you feel that way. Then think of ways you can move ahead.
When we notice and share our feelings, we take back the power they have. It helps us to feel in control and calm.
Change can be scary, but change can also lead to new things.
Change can help us to grow and feel even stronger than before.
We agree to live by the code of conduct so our school and community will feel safe and welcoming for everyone. Ethics, another term for choosing right over wrong, helps us ALL understand and make good, healthy choices. If we ALL live by the Code of Conduct, we will build a healthy community and eliminate bullying.
COMPASSIONATE people help others, we use kind words and we show we care.
RESPECTFUL people are polite and appreciate differences.
RESPONSIBLE people follow the Code of Conduct and we know that we are responsible for our choices.
HONEST people admit when they make a mistake and we apologize when we hurt others, even it is is by mistake.
COURAGEOUS people STAND UP for others. We speak up and kindly remind others to follow the Code too!
BE A LEADER during Bullying Awareness Month and ALL YEAR LONG.
If we work together we can eliminate bullying and enure ALL feel welcome here.
Enjoy this great book about about bullying. In Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon, the author teaches to be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do.
Many children think honesty means you "don't tell a lie"-- and that is definitely part of being honest. But honesty is more than not lying. An honest person doesn't do things that are wrong on purpose. Honesty is about speaking and acting truthfully. We proudly make good choices. As true Citizens of the Code, we tell thetruth, we can be trusted, and we accept responsibility for our own mistakes.
A Citizen of the Code takes responsibility seriously whether at school or at home.
Be a
Citizen of the Code:
Know what your job is and then DO IT! Organize your belongings. Pick up after yourself. Finish your school work. Follow house rules. Be a promise keeper! When you say you will do something, DO IT! Take charge of your learning! ASK QUESTIONS! Ask for help when you need it. A true citizen of the code is always RESPONSIBLE. We do the things we are
supposed to do and we accept the outcomes of our
actions.
As citizens of the code we are respectful of ourselves, others and the world around us. Being respectful means we appreciate ourselves and other people. It means we value the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of everyone.
Respect sounds likepolite and kind words and manners. Respect looks like helpful actions. It means we take care of our environment and our surroundings, we take care of ourselves, and we are careful with others.
How are YOU being a respectful citizen of the code at home?
Today, let's focus on compassion. Compassion means we understand when other people are sad or hurt, and then we try to help.
When we are compassionate, we are careful with people’s feelings.
Many of us have sad, or angry feelings because we won't be
together in school again this year. We can be citizens of the code by being kind to each other, even when we're frustrated or worried. We can be kind to ourselves, knowing we will do the best we can, even if it isn't perfect, and that's okay!
To be compassionate means
we promise to take care of ourselves and each other.
I shared one of my favorite books that I think helps us to feel like we are together even though we are apart.
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