The Power of One 

As a grade one group we began the school year building our classroom community. As part of our School Development Plan in connection with our Wellness Curriculum, we read several books such as Don’t Eat Your Classmates, Our Class is a Family and Kindness is My Superpower. All of these books had the theme of kindness. Through lessons, discussions and reflections our students built an understanding of how we show kindness to ourselves, each other, and this place. Next, we read The Power of One. Students were asked to identify ways they show kindness and contribute to creating a respectful classroom community. 

Taking a closer look… When designing our next tasks we wanted our learners to recognize how every individual is unique and can make a difference. We wanted the children to be able to recognize those characteristics in themselves. Connecting to our work around Terry Fox and Phyllis Webstad, we looked at the characteristics that made each of these individuals unique. We brainstormed words and represented our learning through illustrations and words. Finally, through writing and discussion, we had students make the connection between the leadership characteristics in Terry and Phyllis and think about what characteristics they see in themselves and what characteristics they would like to show more of in themselves. Students planned their writing through pictures and then captured their thoughts in their writing. 

As an extension, we also created an art piece, using plasticine.  We were inspired by Barbara Reid and looked at her talents at creating art through plasticine.  We then each created our own “Super Me” and picked one of our power of one traits to show through this art piece.  

I can:

· I can identify 2 or 3 unique characteristics, that contribute to you creating a place of kindness   

 

· I can identify one way that I can create a place of kindness and respect