Here is a collection of powerful, small-group discussion activities called Sharing Circles. This proven interactive process will bring focus to vital life skills in the following areas: Self-Awarenss Feelings and Wellness Relating to Others Learning and Creativity Decision Making and Problem Solving Acting Assertively. With specific discussion topics at hand you can tailor the conversations you have with students to optimize learning and to make the greatest impact as an education professional. The book also provides the teacher and/or counselor with detailed background information and a solid theory base, plus comprehensive instructions in the Sharing Circle process.

This timely book provides concrete and useful strategies to help students get in touch with the effects of stress in their lives, and more importantly, helps students learn what they can do about it. Stress has an enormous impact on the ability of students to learn. The body's defense system is built for short-term physical stressors, not long-term psychological and emotional stress, which can lead to health problems, memory loss, severe learning difficulties, and angry outbursts. Less Stress = More Success includes meaningful activities and impactful student "experience sheets" designed to help students understand what causes stress, identify sources of personal stress, and learn strategies for managing stress. Activities cover relaxation techniques; the roles of nutrition and exercise; success strategies such as goal setting, time management; and positive self-talk; and tips for dealing with anger, worry, and high-stakes testing. The relevant introduction covers current learning theory and brain science basics.

This timely book provides concrete and useful strategies to help children get in touch with the effects of stress in their lives, and more importantly, helps them learn what they can do about it. Stress has an enormous impact on the ability of children to learn and be happy. The body's defense system is built for short-term physical stressors, not long-term psychological and emotional stress, which can lead to health problems, memory loss, severe learning difficulties, and angry outbursts. Less Student Stress = More Success includes meaningful activities and impactful "experience sheets" designed to help children understand what causes stress, identify sources of personal stress, and learn strategies for managing stress. Activities cover relaxation techniques; the roles of nutrition and exercise; success strategies such as problem solving, time management; and positive self-talk; and tips for dealing with anger, worry, and high-stakes testing. The relevant introduction covers current learning theory and brain science basics.

Created by experienced educators, this engaging book of stories, activities, and Sharing Circles provides a wealth of fun, easy-to-use after-school resources. Aimed at after-school instructors who want to involve their children in inviting experiences while teaching important life skills, Hearts and Minds enhances the social, emotional, and language abilities of children while involving them in meaningful learning opportunities. Use these inspiring activities, stories, and discussions to create all this while covering these important themes: Respect Kindness Tolerance Service to Others Responsibility Self-Control Peer Pressure

This learning guide for the elementary grades teaches your students how to reduce and control anger and to settle disputes in a pro-social manner. These student-tested activities help children to: understand the dynamics of conflict and anger improve communication skills examine the cause and effect of conflict become aware of their sources of anger appreciate different perspectives distinguish between the language of anger escalation and effective resolution develop tolerance manage anger and aggression achieve win-win outcomes. This book is chock full of enjoyable, challenging activities that include step-by-step guidelines, reproducible experience sheets, and relevant discussion questions that encourage higher order thinking and collaborative problem solving. A highlight of this book is the section presenting a unique role-playing process that makes positive behavioral rehearsal easy, fun and relevant. This is a must have book for all educators who want to develop in their students the important social-emotional skills of creative conflict resolution and anger management. Use these high-impact lessons to teach your students to become conscious of the choices they typically make in anger and conflict situations, and to learn real-life strategies to replace ineffective behaviors with those that work. Grade Levels: K-6

You'll find dozens of high-interest activities, discussions, role plays, simulations, and reproducible handouts that develop self-motivation, positive attitudes, effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving and planning skills, reasonable self-expectations and a personal vision. This book helps you demonstrate to your students that the gap between dreams and accomplishments is filled, not with luck and more dreaming, but with planning and action. Teach your students how to develop written goals, make deliberate, considered decisions, create step-by-step plans of action, understand and effectively use self-talk and affirmations to control their attitudes

Current research is establishing the importance of teaching such social and emotional skills as kindness, tolerance, respect, empathy, responsibility, self-control, and cooperation. We now know that repeated experiences impact the brain and shape the person. The more children are exposed to these concepts and practice these skills, the stronger the underlying mental circuits become. It is through this development that kids become caring and capable.The group activities, short stories, songs, reproducible activity sheets, Sharing Circles, and thought-provoking discussion questions provided in this award-winning book address qualities inherent in caring people. The skills that develop are those that make children capable. They include: Keeping agreements Developing responsible habits Effectively solving problems Demonstrating respect for self and others Being loyal, trustworthy, and honest Following rules Demonstrating kindness, consideration, and empathy Peacefully resolving conflicts Developing self-management skills, and Learning to be a team member

You'll find this rich and ready resource to be a complete and creative collection of after-school activities that engage kids in learning and having fun at the same time. This valuable resource is packed cover-to-cover with inviting, kid-friendly games, arts and crafts, science projects, environmental lessons and more. Every activity comes with step-by-step directions and complete guidance for getting the most out of each lesson. All activities are readily adaptable to a variety of situations and skill levels.An ideal resource for every after-school or other out-of-school venue. The activities help all children to: cultivate self-awareness and positive self-esteem learn to value family and community connections and develop a sense of belonging work collaboratively, with consideration for others focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing - important aspects of literacy and communication develop effective problem-solving and decision-making skills engage their feelings of wonder and appreciation for the natural world

The lessons in this easy-to-use activity book are designed to develop in your students the skills, behaviors, attitudes, and perspectives that lead to emotional literacy. Social competence, self-management abilities, and respectful, responsible living are all vital aspects of healthy social and emotional development. As such these skills and behaviors support learning, positive behavior, personal development and well-being. The carefully designed activities in this book will engage your student's minds in learning and their heart's in embracing such valuable life lessons as: Respecting Self and Others Encouraging Trust and Honesty Expressing Gratitude Developing Empathy and Compassion Being Responsible and Dependable Cooperating with Others Controlling Anger Managing Conflict Overcoming Harmful Peer Pressure Reducing Prejudice and Stereotyping Valuing Differences Practicing Non-Violent Communication Exploring Win-Win Strategies Making Friends Speaking Up Against Bullying Eliminating Put-Downs and Gossip

Grief, fear, and anger are significant emotions-so weighty, in fact, that they often drive children to think irrational thoughts and engage in unreasonable behaviors. Such responses, left unchecked, can easily spiral into destructive actions. If we want children to succeed in life, we must equip them with the tools to manage all feelings, especially those that are intense and difficult. These activities, discussions, role plays, simulations, and worksheets are designed to help children explore, understand and express their feelings in safe and acceptable ways. Easy-to-understand explanations coupled with skill practice promote healthy responses to intense and sometimes overwhelming emotions. Children become more centered and focused, communicate more effectively, and demonstrate greater interdependence and understanding. Use these practical and powerful activities to help children: understand and successfully cope with grief and loss learn strategies for effectively dealing with fears and worries develop practical ways for overcoming irrational fears and anxieties learn how thoughts impact feelings discover how to substitute moderate thoughts for anger thoughts identify feelings that precede or precipitate anger practice acceptable ways of expressing negative feelings learn self-control and self-management strategies learn simple meditation experiences to relieve stress and regain emotional balance

This timely and practical book provides a variety of engaging activities, group discussions, reproducible handouts, and Sharing Circles all designed to help teens develop the knowledge, skills and techniques necessary for effective conflict resolution. In addition, students are given meaningful experiences and information to help them improve their own behaviors while giving them the abilities to deal effectively with others. Use these high-impact activities to provide students with guidance and help in: handling confrontations learning the language of conflict de-escalation coping with anger managing moods and dealing with criticism understanding the rules for fighting fair exploring alternatives to conflict developing the power of listening improving social skills effectively solving problems and making decisions learning the factors that trigger conflict controlling behaviors that lead to misunderstandings and conflict

Through these easy-to-implement, high-interest activities, children learn new and effective skills and behaviors for getting along with others and managing their own emotions.Social-emotional skills are fundamental to success in life, and children should be consistently helped to develop them.This rich and ready resource is packed with everything you need to bring these important skills to life with your group of kids. It's full of stimulating, enjoyable experiences that you can grasp at a glance and use immediately.Activities help children to: work collaboratively and considerately with others learn important aspects of communicating - listening, speaking, writing, and reading value and respect individual differences manage difficult emotions learn refusal and resistance skills activate positive esteem and self-awareness develop a sense of belonging

Succinct, timely, and cost-effective, Don't Get Hooked: Tobacco Awareness and Prevention Activities provides everything counselors, teachers, and all those who work with kids need to educate students about tobacco use and prevention. Sections cover the following focus areas: Learning about Nicotine Media Influences Refusal Skills Each of these is developed through brief, interesting discussions and fun, memorable activities for individuals, small groups, and classrooms. This book provides up-to-date information about nicotine as a drug and is based on sound practice and current research.

These Immediately usable and highly impactful activities naturally draw out the best in students and inspire the development of universally valued character traits. Virtues, Values, and the Very Best You uses proven strategies that engage students in meaningful interactions and self-reflection that teach the real-life benefit of "doing the right thing'. Unit themes include: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Justice and Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Moral Decision-making, and Service Learning. Specific activities teach such learning as: The consequences of cheating and lying, How to develop healthy friendships, How to respond respectfully to others, The qualities and characteristics of our heroes and stars, The value in responsible behavior, How to accept responsibility and not blame others, Identifying justice and fairness in real life, Practicing tolerant behavior, Respecting individual differences, How rules and laws help people live and work together, How prejudice hurts both self and others, Demonstrating concrete caring behaviors, Recognizing and acknowledging positive attributes in self and others. This book is a valuable and practical resource for classroom, counseling, and youth group instructors interested in enhancing character and virtue in their students.

Lessons in Tolerance and Diversity is designed to provide teachers and counselors with tools to help reduce racial, religious, ethnic and social prejudice in their schools and to promote tolerance and the celebration of diversity. This highly effective instructional tool helps students better understand the roots of stereotyping and prejudice while examining some of the influences that form their ideas about race, disabilities and other differences. It also explores how stereotypes influence behavior. The lessons are presented in a logical, developmental sequence, from valuing self and cultural identity through communication and conflict management to cooperation and team building. They are designed to counter influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others by helping students to develop self-awareness, esteem for self and others, communication and conflict management skills, and capacities for independent judgment, critical thinking and ethical reasoning. Through the design of the activities and discussion questions, students share their ideas, beliefs and perspectives, and interact with others who may or may not share their points of view. Out of this interaction they learn to withhold judgment, question their own ideas, exercise flexibility and, ultimately, embrace the richness of diversity. This is a must-have guide for all who want to encourage tolerant attitudes among young people. Includes high interest activities, stimulating discussions and reproducibles.

What better way to develop character in your students than by involving them in relevant discussions about ethics and moral reasoning? Sharing Circles are a character development super-strategy, and this book is filled with examples of this powerful and versatile social-emotional learning tool. Help students learn the value of virtue and how to develop and draw on inner reserves of moral conviction. Inspiring topics cover such areas as: empathy respect open-mindedness fairness generosity forgiveness perseverance responsibility trustworthiness honesty citizenship positive attitude courage

Sharing Circles are the EQ super-strategy and this book is chock full of them! What better way to develop the emotional intelligence of your students than by participation in relevant discussions about things that are important to them. This powerful and versatile instructional strategy is unusually effective as a tool for developing self-awareness, self-control, the ability to understand and manage feelings, empathy, cooperation, responsibility, communication, strategies for managing conflict and stress, and group interaction skills. A must-have addition to your EQ repertoire. This book includes a comprehensive introduction to Emotional Intelligence, 89 fully developed Sharing Circle lessons, step-by-step instructions for leading Sharing Circles, suggestions for introducing each topic to students, along with hundreds of discussion questions to ask to facilitate higher level thinking, discovery and insight

Use this totally reproducible, hands-on journal/workbook to enhance self-understanding, clarify values, develop coping skills, foster positive attitudes, and heighten creativity in your students. Thought-provoking questions and pages of striking graphics encourage students to explore their feelings, thoughts, attitudes, values, doubts and dilemmas and to write about them. A great resource for counselors, teachers and parents Buy one book and make as many copies of selected pages as you need for your students.

Help your students learn that they can be in charge of their own achievement by giving them the awareness and tools to do so. In addition to enriching learning lessons, you'll find particular value in the Achievement Potential Survey, a self-assessment that has each student identify the perceptions, abilities, and behaviors that are contributing to their underachievement.You'll receive complete instruction for how to help your underachievers develop an action plan based on their unique set of strengths and weaknesses.Help these students identify, learn from, and build on their assets, barriers, and concerns as they learn how to manage each so that they're experiencing high levels of achievement and success.