A puppet show starts this lesson, showing Mimi, a hedgehog puppet, feeling so ready to write a binding Code of Conduct for her and her puppet friend, Squeak. The Code of Conduct is going to help them to get along really well. It contains the positive actions that they need to follow to get along well with their best friend and others.
However, Squeak seems to need more time to understand what it is about, what it is for, and why it is important. So, Mimi asks for the help of their new friends, Droid and Dude, who joins her through a visual aid. They also meet Mama Amore, a new friend who helps the whole class learn about the Code of Conduct!
In this SEL lesson, the whole class makes their own Code of Conduct based on the students’ ideas on how they want to be treated. Before they dive into this, the students immerse themselves first in the story of Droid and Dude, titled, "Rocket Men." It is about Droid and Dude’s plan to go to Mars, but they need to learn how to get along with each other first. Especially, if they are to spend long periods in a small spaceship.
"The class Code of Conduct introduced in this lesson helps pre-kindergartners to check and manage their behavior toward others. To ensure its success, it is important to involve the students in creating the rules."
Not knowing how to get along, the students follow Droid and Dude on their way to ask Mama Amore’s help in the story, titled "Rocket Men Continued." Here, Mama Amore explains the importance of making a Code of Conduct. To keep this lesson fun and memorable, the “Droid,” “Dude,” and “Mama Amore” visual aids are posted.
After listening to these creative stories, the teacher displays the "Code of Conduct" poster and guides the students to make one for Droid and Dude, and for the whole class. Together, they list all of the positive actions that they need to follow in treating themselves and others. They also design their own Code of Conduct with their own pretty, colorful handprints.
As the lesson ends, the students learn that getting along with others, and treating others the way they want to be treated, makes them feel good about themselves!
The class Code of Conduct introduced in this lesson helps pre-kindergartners to check and manage their behavior toward others. To ensure its success, it is important to involve the students in creating the rules. When they agree to the rules being set, they are more likely to follow them. It is also important to focus the rules on actions that produce positive outcomes, rather than encouraging punishments which have the potential to set them up for failure.
This lesson helps teachers and pre-kindergartners set a healthy and positive environment and culture in their classrooms. By teaching this lesson, educators and students build a stronger and more respectful relationship with one another which has positive effects on attendance, behavior, and academic performance.
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