This practical resource gives busy teachers and counselors of at-risk students a proven, preplanned curriculum for promoting students' self-esteem—from lessons exploring what makes each child unique as a member of his/her family, school, and community to activities focusing on making and sustaining friendships, setting and achieving realistic goals, and solving conflicts where everyone is a winner.
Included are complete teacher directions for the effective use of the activities and suggestions for easily integrating them into the curriculum. Moreover, all materials are conveniently organized into 9 sections, printed in a lay-flat binding for easy photocopying of each activity sheet, and can be used for individuals, cooperative groups, or an entire class.
Here's just a brief description of the kind of helpful information you'll find throughout this resource:
- TEACHER EMPOWERMENT—6 activities designed especially for teachers, including "Give Me a Little More R-E-S-P-E-C-T"... "My Successes"... and "Let Your Best Points Shine!"
- SKILLS FOR LIFE—provides guidance on how to start your own pilot program, a first-of-a-kind plan for self-esteem and conflict-solving workshops with ideas for a school-wide peace activities day and assemblies.
- SECURITY—17 activities focus on this basic component of self-esteem upon which others are built, like "Times of My Life when I felt Like a Star"... "It's a Runaway Bestseller"... and "I'm a Hit on Our Class Chart."
- POSITIVE IDENTITY—contains 20 activities for building a better self-image and dealing with eating disorders—from "Be Your Own Best Amigo" and "Shades of Blue" to "No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent."
- FRIENDSHIP BUILDING—15 activities help students recognize and develop qualities that attract and maintain friends, such as "Make a Splash with Others"... "A Cool Mix"... and "Was My Face Red!"
- GOAL SETTING—12 activities give students opportunities to visualize and set specific goals, like "S-T-R-E-T-C-H Yourself" ... "Don't Get Bowled Over"... and "Computing My Goals Book."
- COMPETENCE—11 activities stress values and critical thinking skills and aid children in becoming responsible for their actions, for example "Give the Boot to Peer Pressure" ... "Weigh Both Sides"... and "A Values Coat of Arms."
- CONFLICT SOLVING—packed with 28 activities showing students how to deal with anger, mediation, and conflicts, including "Don't Blow It By Exploding"... "Amazing Ways to Make Your Point"... and "Smart Signals."
- BEHAVIOR THAT'S DRIVING YOU UP THE WALL—offers scores of suggestions for handling the disruptive child, from "Validate Children's Feelings"... "Create an Opportunity for the Child to Succeed"... to "Chill Out Time for Two."
- READY-TO-USE HANDOUTS—contains grams, invitations, role-play forms, and holiday reproducibles like "Star Award"... "Nothing is Scary if You Believe in Yourself"... and "Happy Valentine's Day."
In short,
Ready-to-Use Self-Esteem and Conflict-Solving Activities for Grades 4-8 places in your hands all of the information and materials you need to help each child feel valuable, capable, and lovable while learning peaceful methods of conflict solving!
