PROJECT EXSEL

Karen Cheung

Grade – Kindergarten
P.S. 130 Literature

Synopsis of Story
In a daycare setting, accidents start to happen and the Dinofours are getting upset with one another. The teacher tries to help but when their trip gets rained out, that's the last straw. But, as they talk, they begin to see how silly they are acting and at the end, a surprise puts a smile back on their faces again.

SEL Understandings

• There are differences among passive, aggressive, and assertive approaches to conflict.
• Assertiveness usually is a more effective way to express emotions
• Students will recognize and name one's emotions, understanding the reasons and circumstances for feeling as one does.
• Knowing how to manage angry feelings

Objectives

• SEL: The children will be able to effectively express their emotions in a role-play situation
• Literacy: Students will extend their understanding of the book while improvising in role plays drawn from the text

Pre-Reading
Read the title, I'm so Grumpy, and ask the children if they know what Grumpy means? Ask, "when do you feel grumpy? Have you done anything that made someone else feel grumpy?"

Discussion Questions (Select a few from below)

• After Tara stops Brendan from singing ask, "what just happened?"
• Why was Tara upset or angry with Brendan?
• What was Brendan feeling when he jumped up to sing?
• What could he have done so that no one would have been angry with him?
• How is Tracey feeling when Brendan sat on her? Why?
• Is there something else that Tracey could have done to show Brendan she was angry?
• How do you think Mrs. Dee is feeling when everyone is so grumpy with one another?
• How did Danielle feel when Tracey hit her face?
• Is it wrong for her to feel angry?
• What do you think of the way Danielle told Tracey how she felt?
• Why was Tara angry with Tracey?
• If that happened to you, what would you do?
• What did Tara say when Danielle took her favorite puzzle?
• What would you have said to her?
• What happened to Danielle?
• How did Danielle let Brendan know she was angry?
• What could Albert have done so that Joshua wouldn't feel so grumpy?
• What did they talk about in Circle Time to make everyone feel better?
• What happened when it began to rain? Why?
• How did they feel better after that?
• What happened at the end? How did the feel?

Activity - Interactive Role Play

Role-play one or two of the different situations in the book. Discuss what characters could do to manage their emotions. Discuss what a conflict is. Explain to students that when someone takes something that is ours and we do nothing about it, we are acting passively. When we hit them and grab it back we are acting aggressively. Explain that they can stand up to themselves and not be aggressive or passive. They can assert themselves. Explain that this means they can ask for what the want and need using a strong voice, looking straight at the person, and using body posture that is strong but not wimpy or scary. Demonstrate each. Have students role play each situation in a passive, assertive and aggressive manner.

Some sample situations include:

• A classmate takes your place in line.
• A classmate takes something off your desk without asking
• A classmate leaves you out of a game.
• A classmate hurts your feelings
• A classmate takes a toy that you are playing with
• Your teacher thinks you did something wrong but you didn't
• Your Mom thinks you broke something but you didn't
• Your brother changes the channel when you are watching your favorite television program.

Class Extension

• Use your anger thermometer (see lesson - When Sophie gets Angry, Really, Really, Angry) show how angry you feel when certain things happen.
• Role play assertive, aggressive and passive reactions using other stories you read to class
• Practice standing up to bullies
• Integrated learning - Create a class book of things that make us grumpy. Use photographs and artwork to illustrate

Home and Family Connections

Interview family members and ask what makes each member grumpy and happy. Create a book for their answers. Bring home their class feelings books to read with parents.

Teacher Reflection

How do I handle conflicts in the classroom? Am I comfortable with conflicts?

Teacher Evaluation

This story realistically portrays the day ot day incidents that occur in a classroom. Hopefully the opportunity to discuss and role play various scenarios will allow the children to learn peaceful solutions to conflicts and enable them to manage their anger, and know how to deal with their friends.