Learning About Tools in Alder

This month's art theme is "Building" and we were fortunate enough to have one of our classroom parents who is a "professional builder" come in for a special activity! LJ is a parent in our Alder Pre-K class and also a professional contractor! He was kind enough to take the time to come by our school and show us the tools he uses every day. 

Our special guest, LJ handed out sheets of sanding paper that we could each use to sand our individual pieces of wood, then he showed us how to screw a hook to the bottom to make a coat hook! Later we will paint these in class. 

LJ showed us the tools he uses every day for his job, like a hammer, a screwdriver, a tape measure, pliers, a wrench, and a leveler. He also showed us how to use them!

Then we each got a turn to practice in small groups with our teachers.

We practiced using screwdrivers and pliers to fasten screws to a board. We learned about what hammers are used for, and how to use a leveler to make sure something is straight before you use nails or screws to hold it in place.

LJ taught us a lot about the tools he uses to build, let us practice using some of these tools safely, and even gave us each a miniature tape measure to take home! Thank you for the visit, LJ! We had so much fun learning about tools and building, and we can't wait to hang up our hooks at home!

Love and Logic

Love and Logic Sellwood Teacher Survey

How have you implemented Love and Logic in your classroom?

“I’ve begun presenting options BEFORE a melt down, rather than during or after.”

“I use key phrases like ‘Bummer’ or ‘Uh-oh’.”

“I express more sympathy when talking about choices with the children.”

“When a friend is making a sad choice I say, ‘How sad’ as a cue to take time to rethink the choice.”

“I’ve been more likely to give directions once and let only kids who are displeased with them pout, whereas in the past I may have possibly devolved into arguments with the kids.”

“I sing the Uh-Oh song before having think time”.

“Positive reinforcement and ‘I know...’ phrases.”

Give one example of how you used Love and Logic in your classroom, what was the result?

“‘Oh no....sad choice, someone needs some think time.’ On the first day, I used this phrase while walking a child over to the think chair after a sad choice. After one or two times, the children knew that if I said, ‘Oh no,’ they needed to stop what they were doing.”

“I give choices! For example, at lunch when passing out food, I offer ‘Would you like the beans on the side or on top?’”.

“I’ve been able to express more compassion/sadness along with the child as a result of his/her loss of privilege  which seems to effectively shift their frustration from me or the consequence to the choice that they made.”

“We say, Uh-Oh, when we see a child engaging in an unsafe choice such as standing in a chair, pulling a friends hair, or not sharing. The Uh-Oh is often followed by some time to calm and think on their own. After hearing Uh-Oh several times, the children begin to catch on and stop the unsafe action immediately upon hearing the words.”

“When a friend is upset and the feelings are escalating I say, ‘I only talk to friends who talk calmly’”.

“A child was having a hard time lining up at the park. I said, ‘Oh how sad’ and spoke with the child about the importance of lining up with their classmates and discussed their consequence for not doing so. After some time, the child lined up with the class. The following day, the child was not able to be the line leader, their classroom job for the day. While the child was sad to have lost this privilege, they made a stronger effort the next week at the park to line up with their friends when asked for the first time.” 

How can parents carry over your Love and Logic classroom techniques at home?

“Talk with your child’s teacher to ensure that there is consistency with the Love and Logic techniques at school and home. Use empathetic statements and continue to have children follow the rules that are set for both locations.” 

“By using similar word cues like, ‘How sad’ and ‘I know a friend...’”.

“The best way to reinforce Love and Logic based teachings is by following through with consistent rewards and consequences, and reminding children of lessons they learned through these rewards and  consequences while at home.”

“Use key phrases (consistent with the Teachers), give empathy, and be firm on choices.”

“Try using the Uh-Oh strategy at home. You will be amazed how the children respond!”