For April, our Character Education theme is: Communities Support Change
During the month of April we recognize a type of disability called Autism. Last month, during March, we recognized all disabilities during Disability Awareness Month.
What is a disability?
A disability is a physical, mental, or emotional condition that limits how a person can move or sense the world or do daily activities. Some disabilities are obvious, like stuttering, needing a wheelchair or a guide dog. Other disabilities, like autism, hearing loss or social anxiety, are not as visible but can be just as life changing.
In this month’s book, All the Way to the Top we are going to meet Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. Jennifer was born with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around.
Cerebral palsy or CP is damage to the part of the brain that controls movement. The damage from CP happens either before a baby is born or during birth. So you can’t catch CP like you would catch a cold! Not everyone with CP has the same disability. Some people with CP can’t move at all while others may have barely noticeable disabilities, like weakness on one side of their body. Jennifer is not only an author but an activist. Jennifer never wanted her wheelchair to slow her down, but the world around her was built in a way that made it hard for people with disabilities to do even simple things like go to school or eat lunch in the cafeteria. When the Americans with Disabilities Act was proposed to Congress to make public spaces accessible to everyone, Jennifer joined activists in Washington DC for what became known as the Capital Crawl. At the steps of the Capitol Building, without her wheelchair, she climbed all the way to the top! Here is a read aloud of the book:
For this month’s Character Education Project students will have an opportunity to draw and write about a time they stuck up for someone.
Our song of the month, Fight Song by Rachel Platten:
For February, our Character Education theme is: Communities support each other in challenging times
During the month of February we recognize Black History Month. Here is a video to help us learn more:
In our book of the month for February, we are going to go on a journey where our main characters use their imagination to dream big and have fun on what they thought was a boring day. Our book of the month is The Year We Learned to Fly:
For January, our Character Education theme is: Communities Inspire Each Other
During the month of January we recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We recognize this holiday every year on the third Monday of January. This year it is observed on January 16th. Here is a video to help us learn more:
For the month of January our book is Harlem Grown. Here is a read aloud of the book:
Harlem Grown is an actual community garden, located in Harlem, New York City. Learn more here:
For December, our Character Education theme is Communities Support Everyone’s Name.
We recognize many holidays during the month of December. The holidays we recognize are: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.
Our book of the month, Your Name is a song is all about acceptance. What does it mean to accept others?
Acceptance is understanding and celebrating the ways that each person is different and unique. That means that people have a right to their own feelings, thoughts and opinions. When you accept people for who they are, you let go of your want to change them.
When we are accepting we:
Spend time with people who are different than us
Include everyone
Being kind and respectful
Learn about other people and ask questions to get to know them better
Make others feel valuable and loved regardless of their differences
Listen to a read aloud of the book of the month:
This month we will learn how important it is to pronounce someone’s name correctly! After reading the book we will also learn that people should not be shy to ask others to call them by their name and correct them when they get it wrong.
A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. When we use peoples names and say them correctly it is a sign of respect and a way of recognizing them. Let’s all make an effort to get to know each other and make sure we are saying everyone’s names correctly! All of our names are like songs!
For September, our Character Education theme is Communities Spring Into Action.
During September we recognize certain events such as Labor Day, September 11th and Start with Hello Week.
Twenty one years ago on the morning of September 11, 2001 a tragic thing happened to the United States of America. Two airplanes were taken over by bad people and crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City killing nearly 3,000 people and destroying the skyscrapers. The tragic day has become known as 9/11.
On September 11th it is important that we remember the lives of those who were killed on that day and honor the heroes who saved many.
Our book of the month for September is Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey by Maira Kalman. This is the inspiring true story of the John J. Harvey—a retired New York City fireboat reinstated on September 11, 2001. We are going to hear the amazing story of the Fireboat and how these ordinary community members sprang into action and saved so many lives! Listen to a read aloud of the book:
Many of the heroes we heard about are known as first responders. First responders are people with special training who typically respond first to an emergency. Examples of first responders are paramedics, EMT’s, firefighters, police officers, doctors and nurses. Make sure to thank a first responder today!
During the month of May we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Memorial Day.
We also introduced this month’s theme: “Communities Connect with One Another” and introduced the book of the month: Eye’s that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho.
Here is our book of the month:
This month our book is about acceptance and paying respect to ourselves and others. Speaking of respect, isn’t that what we do on Memorial Day, pay our respects? Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. This year we honor those who were lost on May 30th.
Here’s a video about Memorial Day so we can understand it better:
During the month of April we recognize Autism Awareness Month. What is Autism? Autism is a disorder that affects how the brain works and can make it difficult for some people to talk, understand others, make friends or calm themselves down when they feel worried or stressed. Autistic people are just as happy as other people and it is important that we respect and accept them! Here’s a video to help you learn about autism:
We also celebrate our Character Education Theme, Communities Accept Others.
What does it mean to accept others?
Acceptance is understanding and celebrating the ways that each person is different and unique. That means having a right to their own feelings, thoughts and opinions.
When you accept people for who they are, you let go of your want to change them
When We Are accepting we:
Spend time with people who are different than you
Include everyone
Being kind and respectful
Learn about other people and ask questions to get to know them better
Make others feel valuable and loved regardless of differences
Our book of the month: Don’t hug Doug by Carrie Finison:
For the month of March we celebrate Women’s History Month. The month of March is designated in the United States as Women’s History Month, a month set aside to honor the important role that women play in the story of our country. Here is a short video to help us learn more about Women’s History Month:
We also celebrate our Character Education Theme, Communities Have a Growth Mindset.
What is a growth mindset?
People who believe that they can get stronger and smarter through hard work and practice have a growth mindset.
If you have a growth mindset you are in charge of how smart you are because you know you can grow your brain like a muscle by learning hard things.
I have a growth mindset because I know I can achieve anything with effort and the right strategies
I have a growth mindset and know that if I fail or make a mistake it’s a great thing because I learn from them and get better.
How can we get a growth mindset?
Instead of thinking “I can’t do this” Try thinking “I’m still learning, I will keep trying!”
Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that with hard work and effort we can do anything!
Check out this video on growth mindset:
Our book of the month: How to Solve a Problem- the rise and falls of a rock climbing champion
For the month of February we celebrate Black History Month. The month of February is designated in the United States as Black History Month, a month set aside to honor the important role that African Americans play in the story of our country. Here is a short video to help us learn more about Black History Month:
We also celebrate our Character Education theme Communities Show Persistence.
What does it mean to show persistence?
When you are persistent it means you keep trying, you do not give up
You press on even when you feel like quitting
You don’t let challenges stop you from accomplishing things
People who are not persistent give up very easily. They may try once and then quit. They do not believe they can do it. On the other hand, if you are persistent you keep trying. You will keep looking for ways to accomplish the task or goal. You are determined to succeed.
Check out this video of kids showing persistence and never giving up!
Our book this month is Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson & Sean Qualls.
Our song of the month, David Osmond, “I Can Do This”:
