Use Your Voice - Problem Solving by Empowering Students

Today we continued our focus on friendship.  We extended our lesson to introduce the concept of what to do when someone is not being a friend.  We read the text Bootsie Barker Bites.

Click on the photo to hear the story

We then discussed how the main character did not use her voice with Bootsie.  We came up with this poster to remember how to use our voice.  We did a lot of role playing and practicing.  This is empowering the students to know that their voice is as important as an adults.  We as adults are always here to support; 99% of the time the children can solve the problem by speaking to each other in a kind firm manner.

click on the photo to see some students practicing "Using Your Voice"

We also practiced reporting to an adult and I explained how important it is to report if you have asked someone to stop and he or she continue.  We as a class decided that this is mean behavior if it happens that many times.  

The beginning of the year is a busy time as we are laying the foundation for the whole school year.  I want to share with you how we handle problems in the class.  I also want you to know that we work on Using Your Voice all year.  The poster is posted in our classroom right above our Class Promise To Each Other.  

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

Your partner in education,

Michelle