Character Education/SEL Activities
Optimism
Optimism
Optimism is a way of thinking that makes you believe and know that you can always be positive!
I would like for you all to view the reading of the book, I Think I Am by Louise Hay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqx1fbBzEqw
After you listen to the reading of the book, I hope that you understand that you can always look on the bright side, even with what we are going through now, like staying home and learning on the computer.
Here are some discussion questions that you can think about:
- What are some of the things you are grateful for?
- Can you think of a negative thought that you once had? How can you change what you were feeling into a positive one?
- Make your own affirmation:
I am ________________
I can ________________
I will ________________
I have _______________
You can use the above affirmations to create a poster to always remind yourself that you are POSITIVE!!!!!
Links for your parents on positive affirmations:
https://www.thepathway2success.com/101-positive-affirmations-for-kids/
https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/7-new-fun-ways-kids-affirmations
https://selfsufficientkids.com/affirmations-for-kids/
Gratitude
The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Gratitude means thanks and appreciation. ... Gratitude, which rhymes with "attitude," comes from the Latin word gratus, which means "thankful, pleasing." When you feel gratitude, you're pleased by what someone did for you and also pleased by the results.
I would like for you all to view the reading of the book, My Gratitude Jar by Kristin Wiens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TYvJh5Cwvw
After you listen to the reading of the book, I hope that you understand that there are so many things to be thankful for in our lives, even with what we are going through now. Although things are different or difficult or even scary right now, we need to think about the positive things in our lives and remember that there's a lot of stuff we can still be grateful for like our family, our friends, and our teachers, even if we see them online and not in person.
Here are some discussion questions that you can think about:
- Why do you think having and showing gratitude is important?
- Think of 3 ways to show your gratitude to others.
- Make your own gratitude jar. Get a cup, a jar, or anything that can hold multiple pieces of paper. Write things, people, places, or skills you are grateful for in your life. Write them individually on the slips of paper and keep them in the jar. Once a day, try to write one thing that you are grateful for and put it in the jar.
On days you are feeling a little down, go to the jar and take out one of the slips of paper. This will help you remember how lucky you are and that even though you may be sad in that moment you have lots of things to be thankful for.
Links for your parents of more gratitude activities:
https://hellobestow.com/blog/gratitude-games/
https://rhythmsofplay.com/year-round-gratitude-activities-for-kids/
https://www.creativechild.com/articles/view/20-gratitude-activities-for-kids