Excellence

Wanted Posters

For this core value lesson, we discuss the qualities of star students and reflect on the ones that we already have. Students then create their wanted posters (below) and share with the class. I hang the posters around our school so that everyone can see how excellent they are.
Wanted Poster (3rd Grade Template)
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
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Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great

I began this lesson by reading the hilarious book Unicorn Think He's Pretty Great, which is a story about a goat who tries to show how talented he is, but a unicorn keeps doing everything better...and with more rainbows and cupcakes. Eventually, the goat realizes that the unicorn is jealous of goat's special skills, like climbing mountains and making cheese. We all have strengths and we all have challenges - and that's OKAY!

After discussing the story, we talked about our strengths and challenges as a class. What are we doing really well? What do we need to work on? I used a WORD document on a SMARTboard to write down some of their ideas. This could be done on paper as well. Students used this to copy an answer choice for their cupcake, which went on our class poster. This was helpful for kindergarten, since they are just learning how to write. It could be modified so that students who didn't need this support would have to write a sentence or their own idea.
Cupcake Template (PDF)
File Size: 76 kb
File Type: pdf
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Strengths and Weaknesses
File Size: 113 kb
File Type: docx
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Header (WORD)
File Size: 185 kb
File Type: docx
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Loretta Ace Pinky Scout
For this lesson, we read the book Loretta Ace Pinky Scout, a story about a girl who is practically perfect. She has earned nearly all of her Pinky Scout badges, except for one. When she fails, Loretta struggles with her perfectionism and how to handle her disappointment. In the end, she appreciates all that she does well and continues to set goals for what she'd like to improve on.

After the lesson, we discuss what we are excellent at. Then, the students decorate their own badges and we have a special "ceremony" to honor what makes each of them excellent.
Excellence Badge (PDF)
File Size: 108 kb
File Type: pdf
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Lesson Poster (PDF)
File Size: 136 kb
File Type: pdf
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The Sneetches

*Idea from School Counselor Blog
I open this lesson by reading The Sneetches, a book about how "star-bellied" Sneetches feel that they are better than "plain-bellied" Sneetches. I ask two students to help act out the story as I read it, allowing for a more interactive and engaging story. I use Post-Its with stars drawn on them to define a star-bellied vs. a plain-bellied Sneetch. After the story, we reflect on the way the Sneetches treated one another at the beginning and how that changed by the end.

Then, we transition to a game. Students stand in a circle while I hand out Post-Its with stars on them. I alternate so that half of the students have stars and half do not. I remind students that having a star does not mean that you are better--it's just for the game. I start by tossing a beach ball to a student with a star. I tell that student one thing that makes them excellent and the whole class gives a round of applause. Then, that student tosses the ball to a student WITHOUT a star and says one thing that makes that student excellent. This continues until all students have participated.
Finally, we discuss how these positive statements felt. I write the feelings words on the SMARTboard and when I'm finished, I stand in front of the board, showing how kind words and actions give people positive thought bubbles. (This idea came from Pinterest)

Talented Song
Buckalope Elementary, a website co-created by a retired school counselor, has a lot of adorable videos and resources for educators.

"Talented Song" is catchy, cute, and helps students think about their own special skills and unique characteristics.
If you enjoy the music from Buckalope Elementary, you can download your
favorites through iTunes.

All you need is an iTunes account.
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