Ms. Bracken’s social skills group has been working on their understanding and practice of sportsmanship all year. As mentors for younger students, the group was tasked to prepare a lesson designed to generalize and model the associated concepts of sportsmanship. Ms. Bracken allowed her students the independence to design the lesson themselves based on the skills they have learned. Specific skills include: handling frustration in competition, recognizing when peers are upset (body language) in games and providing encouragement, and also increasing social interaction during games to keep it fun.

Ms. Bracken’s group had to work together to create a lesson plan and brainstorm ideas to include on a sportsmanship poster.  They all contributed equally to the creative process and worked as a team, with a focus on respecting each other’s input and opinion.  The planning also incorporated perspective taking – thinking about the skills younger students would need help with and also choosing a game that was appropriate for their age and interest level. The 5th/6th grade students played the game (5 Second Rule Jr.) prior to the lesson, learning the rules to best facilitate it with Ms. Grey’s class.

They really looked forward to presenting this lesson and playing a game with Ms. Grey’s students!

More about social skills building at Calais

Social skills weaknesses can negatively impact a child’s well-being on many levels. At Calais, students are supported as they cultivate skills of social awareness, active listening, conflict resolution, anger management, accepting criticism, independence and more through direct teaching, activity-based learning, and role-playing.