Elementary: Week 2, Day 4

Sometimes it is fun to think about what it was like when we were younger.

Share a favorite hiding place you had when you were younger. Did you share it with others? Was it a secret from everyone? Did you find it by accident or did you go looking for a place?  Usually our favorite hiding places are places we feel safe.  What is it that helped you feel safe?

Ring your bell or cymbal to denote the beginning of this sharing time.

Allow students to take turns sharing their perspective. Encourage others to listen respectfully and wait their turn to speak. 

We’ve designed these first couple of weeks with the program to give teachers insights that will be helpful in lowering student anxiety about being back at school.

For these first few days of school, it may pay off to give kids more time to reply. (This could also lead to more discussion times throughout the day as time or need arises.) 

If you’d like to keep this activity to five minutes, consider coaching students on how to respond quickly yet thoughtfully.

Ring your bell or cymbal to denote the end of this sharing time.

What did you have in common about your hiding place? What did you learn about what helps you feel safe?

Ring your bell or cymbal to denote the beginning of this sharing time.

Allow students to take turns sharing their perspective. Encourage others to listen respectfully and wait their turn to speak.

We’ve designed these first couple of weeks with the program to give teachers insights that will be helpful in lowering student anxiety about being back at school.

Generally, this Connecting time is 2 minutes long. For these first few days of school, it may pay off to give kids more time to reply. (This could also lead to more discussion times throughout the day as time or need arises.) 

If you’d like to keep this activity to five minutes, consider coaching students on how to respond quickly yet thoughtfully.

Ring your bell or cymbal to denote the end of this sharing time.

Be aware today of the times you feel safe and the times you feel like you want to go to your favorite hiding place. Any time you don’t feel safe, give it a second thought. Is there anything you can do in the moment that would help you feel safer?

How many were able to think about feeling safe, and maybe even creating a safe place for yourself like you had when you were smaller.

Allow for a popcorn type response if all together. If remote learning, consider a text or quick email to each of your students individually.