Previous+Cool+Kids+Lesson

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=**__Self-Esteem Lesson Overview__**=


 * The focus of this lesson is self-esteem. Through a literacy connection with the book, __Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon__ by Patty Lovell, children learn about loving themselves and how important it is to be proud of who you are and all those qualities that make you unique.**


 * In addition to the book, I teach a"calming strategy" in this lesson. It is a DBT technique called "Turtling". This is a very visual strategy that children love. They explore all the qualities a turtle has to keep himself safe and happy. One quality is his hard shell used for protection and to "take space". I always ask my students where their "safe space" is; where they go to "take space" and calm down. Some will say, their bedroom, a closet, their treehouse or the cubby area in school. We also discuss how the shell lets things "roll right off". I explore what we can let "roll off of us" be it a comment, annoying behavior of someone else or a disappointment. It's a reminder that we are in charge of how we respond to others. Turtles are also slow so they can "take time to stop, think and make a plan" which is just what we encourage our children to do. Lastly, a turtle is persistent. They work hard and are determined to roll or right themselves when on their back or when moved and taken off their chosen path. We want to teach our children to "keep trying' and reach their goal.**


 * Students spend time creating a "Turtle" they can take home to remind them of the strategy they have learned.**


 * ==**Book - __Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon__**==


 * == Calming Strategy - Turtling ==


 * == Craft Project - Create a Turtle to remind kids about ** "Turtling" technique **==


 * Kindergarten **




 * Grade One **

**Grade Two **



__Parent Letter__