| | | Talking back to adults or engaging in arguments is a common aspect of a child's development, often serving as a means for them to assert their independence and test boundaries. This behavior is typically observed throughout their adolescence and teenage years as they strive for autonomy and the establishment of their identities. This behavior can be witnessed not only at school but also within family dynamics at home.
The communication styles can vary. While some may use sarcasm, others might defy authority, and others may negotiate or engage in debates with their parents. The frequency and intensity of such behavior can be influenced by parenting styles and cultural factors.
It's important to note that the way parents respond to instances of backtalk can have a significant impact on the parent-child relationship. How parents handle these situations, demonstrating empathy and setting clear boundaries, can contribute to the development of healthy communication and the strengthening of the parent-child bond. Recognizing the importance of effective responses to backtalk, parents often seek guidance and tools to navigate these challenges, as indicated by the "cheat sheet" below from Big Life Journal.
| | | | During the next few weeks of school the Sunflower House will present Safety Lessons to all grades at Mission Trail. Please see the information below as it pertains to your children's grade levels. Feel free to reach out with any questions. | Kindergarten and First GradeAfter our Thanksgiving Break, we will welcome a special visitor, “Happy Bear.” Happy Bear is the main character in an entertaining, interactive 30 minute live play. During the performance, the students will teach Happy Bear about a very important type of safety -- personal safety.
Happy Bear is part of P.S. It’s My Body! which is a child abuse prevention program at Sunflower House, a center that serves Wyandotte and Johnson Counties. Sunflower House has performed the Happy Bear play for more than 40 years in area elementary schools and preschools. A trained Sunflower House staff member will present the program, which will discuss recognizing welcome and unwelcome touches, anatomically correct names for private parts (breast, chest, bottom, vagina, penis), using resistance skills (say “No,” move away), and identifying trusted adults to tell about inappropriate touches. The play incorporates humor and audience participation to allow children to teach Happy Bear about personal safety.
Statistics tell us that approximately one in ten children will be the victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, and that one-third of sexual abuse victims are age six or younger. Research demonstrates that by teaching children about personal safety, they are more likely to tell an adult about an inappropriate touch. Happy Bear will discuss these important messages with your student in a fun, informative format.
By talking with our young children about these important safety issues, we will create a safer community for all children. If you have further questions about the Happy Bear program, please refer to the Happy Bear Section of this website: Sunflowerhouse.org- Happy Bear . There you will be able to view examples of the Happy Bear play and read supporting information. | Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth GradesSunflower House, a child abuse prevention center, has provided personal safety education for more than 40 years in area schools. A trained Sunflower House educator will be visiting your child’s school next week to present the program, Think First & Stay Safe: Safe & Healthy Boundaries which uses lessons that emphasize it is a crime for anyone- even a peer- to overstep personal or digital boundaries. Personal safety programs help children recognize they get to decide when/if they feel uncomfortable, private parts are to be kept private, and they are not to give unwelcome touches to others (ask before sharing touches). It helps children identify trusted adults and assures them that bullying and abuse are never a targeted child’s fault. Students learn that they can play an important role in keeping their bodies safe. Think First & Stay Safe™ program aligns with recommendations in the guidelines for personal safety programs established by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), as well as National Health Education Standards.
By talking with our young children about these important safety issues, we will create a safer community for all children. If you have further questions about the program, please contact Sunflower House at 913-631-5800 or visit www.sunflower house.org. Sunflower House staff is also available to support you in discussing personal safety with your child, contact us for developmentally appropriate discussion ideas, books, and support.
Topics in the Think First & Stay Safe: Safe & Healthy Boundaries Curriculum:
2nd Grade: Laws Help Protect Me; Secrets/Surprises 3rd Grade: Finding Help 4th Grade: Personal Safety 5th Grade: Secrets, Threats & Lures
| | | | | This week, I was thrilled to be teaching one of my favorite lessons to the kindergarteners. Our focus was on instilling a growth mindset in our youngest learners. We started with conversations about their personal achievements and the mindset they needed to attain their goals. To illustrate the concept further, we read "Try-ceratops," where the main character learns the power of positive self-talk to achieve their objectives. We then went through different statements to determine if they would be considered a growth mindset or a fixed mindset.
Following the book, the students were given an exciting challenge: constructing an egg tower with a partner, armed only with playdough, plastic eggs, and their newfound growth mindset. As a group, we later reflected on what made the task both challenging and successful. I was thoroughly impressed with how well the students handled the challenges without becoming discouraged. They were able to demonstrate a growth mindset! | | | | Throughout the week, our first graders explored emotions. The primary objective was to empower them to identify and comprehend their own feelings. To make the learning experience interactive, I hosted a game show called "Name that Feeling!" The game encouraged the teams to recognize various emotions and discerning how they were able to identify them.
After the game, the students had the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice with a cut and paste activity. They were tasked with matching pictures of emotions to their corresponding feeling words, which allowed them to visually connect the expressions and the vocabulary. This hands-on activity served as a concrete representation of their emotional intelligence growth.
The students also shared personal stories about times when they felt happy, nervous, or angry. The students were asked to take their paper home, allowing them to showcase their emotional awareness and growth. I encourage you to explore this page with your first grader and invite them to share their newfound knowledge with you. | | | | The second graders extended their knowledge of a growth mindset and learned how to approach challenges with a positive perspective. The lesson began with an engaging video that explained the idea of a growth mindset using language and situations that were developmentally appropriate.
Following the video, I introduced them to the book "The Thing Lou Couldn't Do," in which the main character grappled with the belief that she can't climb a tree with her friends. Throughout the story, she recognizes the impact of her negative self-talk and becomes determined to overcome her fears with a growth mindset. While she does not succeed in climbing the tree by the end of the book, she succeeds in understanding the importance of maintaining the right mindset for future success.
To reinforce this lesson, the students then created their own growth mindset statements, debunking some of the fixed mindsets I presented to them. |
| | | The third-graders are beginning to understand the concept of the size of problems. To kick things off, I introduced them to an overview of different problem sizes, categorizing them as emergencies, representing huge issues; mountains, which would be big problems; hills, which stand for medium-sized concerns; bumps, indicating smaller challenges; and pebbles, which I define as glitches rather than significant problems.
While covering this topic, we discussed which problems fit into each of these categories and talked about effective ways to respond to them. To make the learning experience even more engaging, we played a game called "What's Your Problem?". This encouraged the students to identify and categorize issues and then engage in discussions about the most appropriate responses.
This essential concept will remain a focus throughout this year and will continue to be a valuable lesson as our students progress through Mission Trail. | | | | The fourth graders went a bit deeper into their author study, focusing on the works of Erin Frankel. These books explore the dynamics of relationships involving a bully, a target, and a bystander, providing a well-rounded view of these complex interactions. This unique approach resonated with our fourth graders, making her series a favorite!
In our ongoing project, we explored the second book of the series, titled "Dare." This book takes on the perspective of the bystander who transitions into an upstander. It becomes increasingly apparent how much courage is required for this character to stand up for themselves and others.
The discussions during these readings have proven to be so insightful, allowing students to reflect on the emotional toll of bullying. The students also continued to work on their trifold, to further their understanding of each book. | | | | In fifth-grade, we engaged in a discussion about problem sizes. We categorized problems into five sections: emergencies, which are huge; mountains, big issues; hills, representing medium-sized concerns; bumps, signifying smaller problems; and pebbles, which are more like glitches than true issues.
During our discussion, we explored which problems fell into each of these categories and how to respond to them effectively. There were great discussions based upon the complexity of each situation. Then, we played a game called "What's Your Problem?". This game encouraged them to identify and categorize various issues, and then discuss the most appropriate responses.
Our aim is to continue emphasizing the importance of matching the size of our reaction to the size of our problems, ensuring that our responses are proportionate and fit the situation. |
| | | | The JoCo Christmas Bureau is committed to ensuring that every child experiences the joy of opening a gift to open Christmas morning and that every family has a holiday meal. We invite applicants to apply! Support is offered on a first come first served basis to qualifying families. Additionally, the bureau is always on the lookout for dedicated volunteers to assist with massive undertaking of helping families shop for the gifts and the food they need. If either opportunity is right for you, please utilize the flyer below. | | | | | | The holiday season brings both joy and stress. To help ease some of that stress, we've compiled a list of community resources that offer assistance with gifts and meals. If you require support, we encourage you to reach out to these agencies promptly, as they often have application processes and limited resources. | Catholic Charities of Johnson County - Northeast Kansas9806 W. 87th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212 Phone: 913-384-6608 Please note the dates to sign up for a free Thanksgiving meal are first come, first served. Applicants must apply in person at either Catholic Charities location and provide proof of residency such as a utility bill. | Salvation Army in Olathe400 E. Santa Fe, Olathe, Kansas 66061 Phone: 913-829-0578 Assistance for families with children under the age of 15, including Angel Tree. Other support includes financial, free winter coats or boots, and the applications to Toys for Tots. | Village Church Food Pantry and Clothes Closet9900 Mission Road, Overland Park, KS 66206 Phone: 913-671-2315 Families can shop for toys, games, electronics, clothing and more. They also have referrals to Toys for Tots. Food may be picked up once an appointment is made by calling the pantry. Information that is needed from families is name, number of people in the family, and ages. A photo ID will need to be presented upon pick-up. | | | Life can be unpredictable, mental health conditions can be too. While no one wants to think about crisis situations, they happen. Below is a list of support lines that you can add to your contact list. When you need help, please call. We all need help sometimes, and it’s okay to reach out. In fact, it’s brave! | | | | To help alleviate food insecurity, Mission Trail Elementary has partnered with Community for Kids to provide one bag of non-perishable food items each week during the school year for participating children. Bags are typically distributed at school each Friday, except during breaks. Participation is free and optional. If you would like to participate, simply email Sara Register, MTE’s social worker, and tell her that you would like a food bag each week. No other information is needed, and you can easily stop at any time.
[email protected] | | | | | I recently attended a presentation by Screen Sanity, which was full with valuable tips, tricks, and information. For those who might not be familiar, Screen Sanity is an organization dedicated to helping us find a healthy balance in our use of digital screens and devices, particularly for children and teenagers. It emphasizes the significance of effectively managing screen time, setting boundaries, and promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes outdoor activities, in-person interactions, and other offline experiences. The main objective is to have a healthy relationship with technology, in order to bypass potential negative effects like disrupted sleep, reduced physical activity, and impaired social skills.
I'm delighted to announce that our amazing PTO will soon host a Parent Night to provide more insights into implementing these vital safeguards as we partner with Screen Sanity. Stay tuned for additional details about this wonderful initiative!
As you may already know, this topic is a personal passion of mine. Consequently, I'm eager to share some of the newfound knowledge with you. In each of our newsletters, I'll feature a "Tech Technique" section designed to assist you in establishing effective boundaries for technology usage at home. Below, you'll find an insightful infographic that offers guidance to parents on setting limits when it comes to video games that comes from the parent tools offered on screensanity.org. | | | | | What's something you're thankful for this year?
Do you like to help cook or bake for Thanksgiving? If so, what's your favorite thing to make? If you could invite any famous person to your Thanksgiving dinner, who would it be and why? If you could design your own float for the parade, what would it look like and what would be on it?
What's your favorite way to celebrate Thanksgiving: watching the parade, playing football, or something else?
| | Try some bonding time tonight. Use this activity to connect with your child. | | 1. Have your family members stand in a circle and extend their right hands to the center of the circle.
2. Each person will grab the hand of someone across from them (not the person directly beside them).
3. Next, extend left hands to the center of the circle and grab the hand of another person across from them. 4. The goal of the game is for the everyone to work together to untangle the "human knot" without letting go of each other's hands. You must figure out how to move and twist without breaking the chain. 5. Encourage communication and teamwork to solve the puzzle. 6. Once they successfully untangle the knot and form a circle again, you can repeat the game with a new configuration! | | | Susan McRae Administrative Assistant to the Principal |
| Mission Trail Elementary 13200 Mission Road Leawood, KS 66209 913-239-6700 [email protected] |
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