As Grade 1 students progress through the *Positive Actio*n SEL program, Unit 4 emerges as a pivotal point in their social-emotional learning. This unit delves deeper into the intricacies of friendship, cooperation, and empathy, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of positive relationships.
Positive Action’s Unit 4 is designed to engage students in real-life scenarios, enabling them to apply two fundamental SEL competencies — social awareness and relationship skills — in practical settings. Discussions on resolving conflicts peacefully, understanding the consequences of their actions, and expressing feelings constructively reinforce the importance of empathy and communication.
This introductory Grade 1 lesson centers around a simple rule that Grade 1 students can follow to be good friends and get along with others: treat others the way they want to be treated. To illustrate this concept, the teacher reads a story about Maurice the Mouse and his cousin Marrott. The two are on a quest for the greatest treasure of all but have yet to find it. Along their journey, they meet Elena and her siblings and gain valuable knowledge.
When Maurice and Marrott return home, they discover a messy living space, as they had left without cleaning up or planning their actions. Frustrated, they begin blaming each other, leading to a heated argument. Both mice believe they are right and the other is wrong. Their negative emotions escalate, and they find themselves trapped in a Negative Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle.
"This introductory Grade 1 lesson centers around a simple rule that Grade 1 students can follow to be good friends and get along with others: treat others the way they want to be treated."
After the story, the teacher initiates a discussion with the class. They explore how Maurice and Marrott might feel about themselves after the fight and why they might feel the way they do. Grade 1 students begin to understand the consequences of not treating each other with empathy and kindness.
The class acknowledges the challenges of breaking free from negative Circles and understands that sometimes assistance from others may be necessary to return to a Positive Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle. Fortunately, their new friend Polly the Friendship Parrot is here to guide them toward a better way of solving problems and fostering healthy relationships.
In a story titled "Polly Saves the Party," Polly the Parrot observes two children, Millie and David, engaged in a conflict while decorating a backyard for a party. Polly intervenes and encourages the children to shift their perspectives. Instead of fighting and calling each other names, Polly emphasizes the need for cooperation. Millie and David discuss their frustrations and realize that their negative actions only perpetuated their negative feelings. With Polly's guidance, they work together, and within half an hour, they successfully decorate the entire yard.
To reinforce the lesson, the teacher facilitates a discussion on the impact of positive thoughts and actions on one's self-concept and ability to get along with others. The students share their insights, highlighting the positive feelings that arise from treating others kindly.
Finally, the teacher presents the Positive Behavior Chart for Unit 4, displaying eight positive actions students are encouraged to practice in upcoming lessons. This chart serves as a visual reminder and positive reinforcement for students' efforts in building social awareness and relationship skills.
Grade 1 students are halfway through their Positive Action journey, and by engaging with this and the succeeding lessons on getting along well with others, they are well on their way to becoming empathetic, socially competent individuals.
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