Behavior

Overreacting is common for children, but as they get older, it becomes more important that they learn to manage their emotions and practice flexible thinking. Reinforce the message from Bryan Smith's My Day is Ruined! storybook, by displaying...

When children don't get what they want or expect, they often get upset and angry. Reacting calmly and appropriately during these times is an important skill for children to learn and use to be successful at home, school, and with others. Reinforce the...

Being able to speak up for yourself is a life skill. Teaching children the value of self-advocacy can help in many ways. Remind students of the steps to controlling their impulses from Bryan Smith's Speak Up For Yourself storybook, by displaying this...

It seems every day we face more and more responsibilities. Some people are naturally resilient and able to manage the resulting stress easily, while others are not. For most, stress-management is something that needs to be taught. Reinforce the message...

Technology is awesome, but children sometimes need a lot of help managing and using it wisely so it enriches, rather than wrecks, their lives. Remind students to "Think Before You Post" by displaying this colorful 8.5"x11" poster in classrooms, hallways,...

Most children experience bouts of procrastination or avoidance behavior. But when those behaviors develop into a pattern that has a negative impact, it's time to work on developing the ability to take initiative and stop making excuses. Reinforce...

As a child, it's not easy controlling your impulse reactions. Kids do things before they think all of the time. Remind students of the steps to controlling their impulses from Bryan Smith's What Were You Thinking? storybook, by displaying this...

The one thing all of us have in common is that we have to solve problems and challenges of various degrees. A lucky few among us always seem to resolve complex problems successfully by thinking critically and logically. Even the most talented problem...

Helping children become good decision makers and lifelong problem solvers involves teaching them to choose.  Reinforce the message from Bryan Smith's What's Your Choice? storybook, by displaying this colorful 8.5"x11" poster in classrooms,...

Being responsible often means asking for help when it’s needed. Use this creative slogan-generating activity to help students relate how to be responsible by asking for help. From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series is her storybook I...

Freddie the Fly: Bee On, Buzz Off is a story about learning to focus and stay on task. Gain hands-on practice with this activity to help drive home the lesson taught from the story. This exercise is recommended for grades 1-3. The activity may be...

Help students understand and apply The Golden Rule in their daily routine. From Julia Cook’s Sorry, I Forgot to Ask! comes the activity “From Trash to Treasure!” Students will be able to learn first-hand ‘Always treat others the...

This activity is designed to teach students to be aware of behaviors that are distracting. Use the tips laid out in Stephie McCumbee’s storybook The Garden in My Mind to help with this activity. Students will break into small groups, work together...

This activity helps students practice the skill of disagreeing appropriately by respectfully debating their choices of favorite things. For the activity, a reproducible worksheet is provided so students can independently fill out their favorites of...

In Parashare, the physical activity will dramatically show students the benefits of sharing a workload and the importance of teamwork. From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series is an engaging activity to accompany her...

Students will become creative when discussing and being reminded to always show good sportsmanship. Start off by reading Bryan Smith’s If Winning Isn’t Everything, Why Do I Hate to Lose? storybook to your class. Once the story has been...