Hidden Curriculum Calendar

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this calendar....we have used it since 2006.  There is one for kids and another for Teens and Older Adults.  I cannot say enough about this calendar and am sure there are other "Hidden Curriculum" items available.

Here are just a few random entries in this page-a-day format.  We had ours on the table and it provided many meal time conversations about appropriate social behavior.

Recess is a time to talk to other kids, run, walk, and play games.  It is okay to ask a teacher if you need help remembering how to try new activities, but it's not a good idea to stand by the teacher all the time at recess.

When you are talking to your teacher, don't necessarily say everything that you are thinking.  For example, if you think your teacher smells like dirty socks, it would be very rude and hurtful to say that to her.  Try to stay on one topic and ask your questions in a calm voice.

If your teacher says "Give yourselves a hand," she is telling the class to clap to congratulate themselves for doing something well.

If someone says, "That drives me crazy," that doesn't mean she is being driven anywhere.  It usually means the person is very frustrated with what is happening.

Just because something is on TV does not mean it is true.  Talk to your parents about things you see in commercials or TV programs to find out if they think those things are true.

People don't like hearing things they already know.  Instead of telling somebody something they already know, keep the idea in your head, even if you think it's important.  Later you may find a chance to share it with somebody else.

If you do not like the birthday treats being offered, that's okay.  Just say, "No, thank you." Don't ask for a different treat.  There's probably only one kind.

When you check the clock repeatedly, others will think you are bored or late.  Try to glance at the clock only occasionally and try to do it very quickly.

Aren't these fabulous?  Even thinking and talking about these daily prompts so many conversations and opportunities for your child to share with you...."oh yeah, that reminds me of what happened today...." and it is just a quick little nudge for appropriate behavior on a daily basis! :)

Remember to enjoy your child!

Survival :)

When you are in deep trouble, say nothing, and try to look like you know what you're doing. :)

Keep in mind that at times our kids need reminders to "not be the weird kid" sitting in the cafeteria, standing in line for class, sitting at their desks waiting on class to begin, riding the bus, or hanging out on the playground.

There is something to be said for being a little "self aware" and realizing that if no one else is skipping or flapping or twirling, that maybe you shouldn't be either.

St. Patrick's Day!

Just a quick post today....knowing St. Patrick's Day is coming up on Saturday. When my girls were in elementary school, sometimes during lunch when they would be in the cafeteria, a leprechaun would have visited their room and left little presents for them.

For most kids this would be tremendous fun....for some of our kiddos, it was scary to think that a little man wearing green was wandering around and messing with their desk. Teachers, please keep in mind that while this is a delightful little surprise you do for the class, some kiddos might need a little more explanation.

As our girls got older we had to explain that it was okay if you forgot to wear something green on St. Patrick's Day....and no one had the right to "pinch" you if you didn't. Likewise, you were NOT to pinch someone who was not wearing green.

THEN as they got even older, we had to explain that "Erin Go Braugh" did NOT mean for someone named Erin to remove her bra, but rather it meant roughly "Ireland Forever".

Now, go put on something green, leave your bra on and enjoy your child! Oh, and "Erin Go Braugh"! :)

Chat Packs for KIDS!

We don't want the younger kiddos to feel that they are left out! Also these could be used during social groups, lunch bunches. Not to mention teachers can use them for classroom activities...woo hoo!

Here are some examples:

How do you imagine that you will look physically when you are 21?

If you had to choose between exploring outer space or the bottom of the deepest ocean, which one would you chose?

If you got a parrot for a pet, what phrase above all others would you be sure to teach the beaked blabbermouth to say?

If you could've been born on any holiday, which holiday would you choose?

We have used these on car trips and also taken them with us when we go out to eat...sometimes it IS possible to replace the cell phones/electronic games and actually interact while you are waiting on your food :) Remember to enjoy your child!

Chat Packs

Have you seen these before? They make a couple types of them and this could be used for older teens and adults.

I think they are about $10 and I found mine at a local Hallmark store actually. There are about 156 cards in each box.

Here are some examples of conversation starters:

"What is your favorite saying or quotation?"

"What is the best $100 you spent in your life?"

"On a scale of one to ten (with one being not at all and ten being very much so), how superstituous are you?"

"If you were making a list of the five things (not people) that make you hapiest in your life, what five things would you write down?"

"What is the most interesting course you have taken in school? On the other hand, what is the most boring course you have ever taken in school?"

As you can see, they are can be pretty light hearted and spark conversations. Our job is to make sure our kids know when it is appropriate to introduce a conversation starter like these.

You could say, "Hey check out these fun questions I found" and then proceed with the question, making sure there is a lull in conversation, you are making eye contact with your friends and that you are smiling because these should be fun!

A Big THANK YOU!!!

Thank you to the Worthington School District for hosting my lecture last January 24, Tuesday evening, "Thinking Outside the Box"! A special thank you to Dr. Toler, who made all the arrangements....your parents and teachers are very lucky to have you!

You made me feel very welcome and I enjoyed meeting so many parents, educators and bus drivers! Please continue to explore this blog and share any new information or tips you might have!

Remember, we all are an experiment of one!

Hidden Curriculum Calendar

One of the things I love are page a day calendars. This time of year so many calendars have reminders to "reorder soon!" for the new year. Please consider checking out this calendar by Judy Endow for your older kids.

Entries range from "it is perfectly okay to rank your friends from best to worst, but not okay to share it with others" to "the purpose of dryer sheets is to take static out of your clothes. Using them is optional."

There is also a Hidden Curriculum calendar for younger kids as well. Those entries include "flavored lip balms for moisturizing your lips are not meant to be eaten" and "your teacher may express an opinion that is different from what your parents think. That's okay. An opinion is someone's point of view, and not everyone will agree with you or your parents."

I know some neuro typical folks who could use these calendars! :)

Anyway, we would sit this calendar near our dinner table and it became the conversation starter for some of our meals....we could share how adults also have to figure out social situations and one of the best fall back plans is MANNERS. If you have good manners, it can help you extract yourself from unfamiliar social situations.

When you let manners be your guide, then as parents/educators we are not constantly nagging about our rules....simply that good manners need to be followed.

"Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners." (H. Jackson Brown, author of Life's Little Instruction Book)

So thanks for reading this post/blog and have a great day! ;)