Monthly Archives: April 2020

Courage

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We choose Courage as our character strength this week as we remember, with heartfelt appreciation, the courage and bravery of the ANZACS.

Having courage and being brave doesn’t just mean being a superhero, having big muscles or pushing yourself, for example, to play hard on the footy field. Physical bravery is just one part of being brave.

Having courage is also about having a growth mindset, it’s about trying new things and having a go at things even though you are unsure that you’ll be able to do it. Courage is about taking risks with your learning and trying something new.

This term, you, our students have shown bravery and persistence by giving home learning a big go. Your parents have been brave too. We have all had to be brave with technology and setting up new routines.

People who are courageous do not shrink away from threat, challenge, difficulty or pain. They speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. Can you think of an example of when you have stuck up for someone else? If you have, then you’ve shown courage. 

If I Never Forever Endeavour by Holly Meade is a book about spreading one’s wings and leaving the nest as a metaphor for having the courage to take risks.

For the Heroes-A Pep Talk From Kid President

Draw a picture of a time when you were brave. Write about what you did and how you felt.

OR

Draw a picture and write about someone else who shows courage.

Love of Learning

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People who possess the character strength love of learning are motivated to acquire new skills or knowledge or to build on existing skills or knowledge. They feel good when they are learning new things, even though they may occasionally become frustrated when the material is challenging.

I can confidently say that all of the students, teachers and parents at Barwon Heads PS have shown a love of learning and a growth mindset over recent days as we are getting used to learning from home.

Oh the places you’ll go!

All The Ways To Be Smart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeUIm7BVLA0

What is your favourite subject to do at home?

What do you enjoy learning about?

How are you smart?

Think about something that you are really interested in. Do some research using either your computer or a non-fiction book to make a poster about it. 

OR

Draw a picture of yourself and show the ways in which you are smart. 

Gratitude at home

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We all know that feeling thankful for what we have makes us feel happier.

A great strategy for improving your wellbeing is to write  a list things that you are grateful for.

Another strategy is to talk about or write down “three good things” which are the best things that happened to you during your day.

This book by Dallas Clayton is one of my favourite books. I especially love the illustrations!

 

Draw a picture in the style of Dallas Clayton of something that you are grateful for 🙂

Here is Kid President with 25 Reasons To Be Thankful.

 

Some things for you to think about this week include:

What are the things you liked most about Easter?

Which place in your home have you come to appreciate the most?

What is a story from a book, a movie or a joke that you have enjoyed lately?

What is the best thing about being at home more?

What are some things you realise that you really don’t need?

Gratitude

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Practicing gratitude is one of the simplest tools that you can use to improve how you are feeling.

Research has shown that the benefits of using gratitude include physical benefits such as better sleep and psyychological benefits including less anxiety and increased happiness and resilience.  It is the social benefits that can help us all at this time as these include; fewer feelings of loneliness and isolation, increased forgiveness and greater helpfulness and generosity.

When thinking about the things that we are grateful for, the benfits will be greater if you don’t think about the “things” you have, such as toys but rather, look for kindness from others, or a kind deed that you have seen or been involved in.

One of the ways in which you can practice gratitude is to write a gratitude journal, make a list or share with others, three things which you are grateful for.

Another way of practicing gratitude is to be a gratitude detective by watching for kind and caring behaviour from other people.

I like the way in whihc Seymour has shown caring and friendship towards Splat in
Splat Says Thankyou” by Rob Scotten.

This clip allows us to give some serious thought to the many things that we can be grateful for.

 

Reference: “Nurturing Gratitude from the Inside Out”

© 2017 by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley

 

What are you grateful for?

Who would you like to thank?

What are the three best things that have happened to you so far today?