Planning Your Day

 

Tim Anderson                                                             Phil Goetstouwers

Professional School Counselor                                   MSUM Intern 2002-2003

Maple River Elementary School                                 Maple River Elementary School

Mapleton, MN                                                                       Mapleton, MN

 

Description of the Lesson

 

ÒPlanning Your DayÓ is an activity that can be used at anytime by students in grades k-5.  It is designed to promote good manners at home, at school, and on the bus.  The time to complete this lesson will vary according to how many students are in the room and how much they participate.  Typically, this lesson requires 45 minutes to deliver.

 

The Activity

 

Tell the students that today we are going to see how you start off your day and how you behave on a regular basis.  Hand out copies of the activity to every student.  Each copy will have will have simple instructions for the activity.  Read the instructions out loud to the students as they read along. 

 

There are three different circles in the instructions and each circle has a different facial expression.  Two dots (eyes) and a curved line going up (smile) will be in the first circle to symbolize that the students ALWAYS conduct the behavior.  Two dots and a straight horizontal line will be in the second circle symbolizing that the students SOMETIMES conduct the behavior.  Two dots and a curved line going down (frown) will be in the third circle to symbolize that the students NEVER conduct this behavior.

 

Nine statements are listed on the front side of the paper.  These statements consist of studentsÕ behaviors at home.  These statements include:

 

1.     Get up right away when called.  DonÕt make your parents have to call you again and again.

2.     Make your bed.  DonÕt make your mom have to remind you.

3.     Wash your face and comb your hair.  Wipe up the sink after you use it.  Hang up your towel and washcloth.

4.     Get dressed quickly.  ItÕs a good idea to lay out your clothes the night before.  Put your dirty clothes in the hamper.

5.     Help your younger brothers and sisters if they need it.

6.     Help fix breakfast if your mom or dad asks you to.  Remember, eating a good breakfast helps you think better.  Put the dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher.

7.     Brush your teeth after breakfast.  If you canÕt brush during the day, swish out your mouth with water.

8.     Check your backpack to make certain your homework is finished and ready to turn in.  Check to see if you have your snack or lunch money.  How about your books?

9.     Now you are ready for the day.  DonÕt horse around at the bus stop.  DonÕt tease others.  If you walk, look out for traffic.  Pay attention.  Be cool.

 

There is a circle next to each statement.  Students have an opportunity to draw in the face which symbolizes ALWAYS, SOMETIMES, or NEVER.  After the statement is read out loud, students are asked to draw in their response.  After students are done drawing in their responses to the statement, they are asked to share what they drew and are encouraged to share their reason for their response. 

 

The back of the page includes studentsÕ manners on the bus, on the playground, in the classroom, in the halls, in the lunchroom, and towards new students. 

 

Manners on the bus include:

 

á      Sit in your seatÑdonÕt jump around, stand or be rough.

á      Be courteous.  Say ÒGood morningÓ and ÒGoodbyeÓ to your bus driver.

á      Pay attention to the signals of the bus driver.

á      DonÕt talk when the driver is talking to you.

á      Use the trash can for litter.

á      Never write or draw on the walls or seats.

 

Manners on the playground include:

 

á      If you share with friends, you will have more.  Ask others to play.

á      No pushing and shoving.

á      Do not make fun of others.

á      Always remember safety first.

 

New-student manners include:

 

á      Show new students around the school.  Include them and welcome them.

 

Lunchroom manners include:

 

á      DonÕt play with your food.

á      Chew all of your food carefully so you wonÕt choke.

á      Do not talk with food in your mouth.

á      Do not race or pig out while eating.

á      Keep the lunchroom neat and clean.

á      Listen to lunchroom workers.

á      Say ÒExcuse meÓ if you burp.

 

Manners in the halls include:

 

á      Walk at all times.

á      Remember, loud voices distract students in the classrooms.

á      Do not bounce balls or touch the studentsÕ work on display.

á      Walk in an orderly way.  No shuffling of feet, please.

 

Classroom manners include:

 

á      Be a good team member.

á      Listen to your teachers.

á      Respect the desks and textbooks of others.

á      Use your own ideas.  DonÕt take them from others.

 

Teachers and counselors are also encouraged to participate in this activity.  They may share their answers with the students.

 

Some process questions that may be used during this activity are listed below.

 

1.     What are some of the exact behaviors that you do regarding this statement?

 

2.     How often do you do this?

 

3.     What are some other things that you could do related to this?

 

4.     How do you feel after you do this behavior?

 

5.     Where are some other places you should behave in a proper manner and what are some of those proper behaviors?

 

Connections to Related Standards, Competencies, and Domains

 

ÒPlanning Your DayÓ is directly related to the personal/social, educational, and career domains of the Minnesota School CounselorsÕ Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling.  This activity encourages proper behaviors in and out of the school environment.  The personal/social domain is a part of this lesson since students learn how to treat one another in positive ways.  The educational domain is a part of this lesson since students have an opportunity to learn new positive behaviors that will affect and impact their lives on a daily basis.  The career domain is a part of this lesson since students have an opportunity to become familiar with organization and respect for others, which helps prepare them for a career.

 

References and Resources

 

Planning Your Day.  (2002 August 19).  The Free Press, Mankato, p. 3A.


For Further Information

 

Tim Anderson

Professional School Counselor

Maple River Elementary

Mapleton, Minnesota

Phone: (507) 524-3917

Fax:  (507) 462-3219

E-mail:  Tanderson@isd2135.mn.k12us.com