The use of feedback can reduce stress and confusion. Immediate feedback should be specific and focus on ways that youth can improve. Try to avoid an overall evaluation and focus on both what went well and what needs improvement. Also include supportive peer feedback. Feedback should be delivered with calm and supportive language, avoiding judgment …
An interactive activity that increases awareness of our own and others’ preferences and opens doors to empathy. Create four signs on large chart paper – North, South, East, West . Write these traits associated with each “point”, and leave some room for note taking. North: Acting – Let’s do it, try new things, jump in, …
Defined by Brazilian mathematician Ubiratan D’Ambrosio as intersections of culture, historical traditions, socio-cultural roots, and mathematics. It seeks to answer the question of students in math classes everywhere: What’s the relevance? Often the answers are experienced on location during field trips, by applying math to the world around us, and making it meaningful. It is …
Find as many opportunities to acknowledge how hard our youth are working. It takes five words of encouragement for every one word of criticism for our youth to internalize the encouragement. “Thank you for helping,” “You’ve worked so hard,” “I appreciate that you helped your friend,” “Thanks for cleaning up” are examples. Recognition of efforts …
While doing creative writing, have youth investigate the people involved in their storyboards. What types of people were involved? What do you think they were thinking and feeling? Encourage the identification of at least three divergent perspectives and interests. Young people can do the same with poetry, prose, or film. What are additional perspectives that …
Revisit an event that ended with a less than desirable outcome. Encourage youth to create their own alternative endings. Why did they make the choices that they made? How have the outcomes changed positively as a result of those choices? What was difficult about those choices?
A simple idea to eliminate loneliness and isolation and foster friendship and inclusion on the playground or in any public space. They work best when the bench is clearly identified as such, to stand out from other simple benches. It becomes a safe space for a young person to sit when they may need help, …
Using bigger than, less than, or equal signs, role-play different scenarios the youth face on a day to day basis to evaluate whether or not a situation feels “equal.” If the situation doesn’t feel equal have them use, write, or state the bigger than or less than sign to determine who holds the power. Have …
Starting in the pre-teen years, many people use electronic devices and social media, and it is critical that we teach them how to behave appropriately and safely online. Have discussions about how the internet has improved our lives, but that there are also conditions to its use. Remind teens that their online “footprint” lives on …
An activity for “peace within and between” that focuses on negative self-talk, negative thoughts and statements about others, and complaining. A good idea is to have youth commit to this activity for at least one full day, and even longer if possible. All that is needed is a large quantity of paper clips. Explain to …
