Playing is Important!
Date: May 3rd, 2023
Manage Behaviors & Teach Skills
Date: April 26th, 2023
Behavior management plans help us to manage kids’ behaviors. But we don’t stop there. We also need to teach skills.
Ask Polly: Post-Pandemic Problems?
Date: April 15th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “Due to the pandemic and everything else my 8th graders are behind academically and emotionally. Do you have any tips on how to prepare these kids for high school? I really worry about that!”
Ask Polly: Violence in High Schools
Date: April 8th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “We have had an incredible up-tick in violence in our high school recently and we’re very worried! Why are kids so physically aggressive with each other these days?”
Ask Polly: Kids Can’t Handle Downtime
Date: April 2nd, 2023
Polly answers the question: “When I say: ‘OK guys, we’ve got 5 minutes to do what you want,’ my 7th graders say, ‘So what should we do?’ It seems like kids need a cruise director these days! How can I help them handle downtime?”
Don’t Just Accommodate Anxiety, Teach Skills!
Date: March 29th, 2023
Accommodations are important, but they’re not enough. They need to be accompanied with skills and techniques so a kid knows what to do when they’re feeling a certain way.
Ask Polly: Kids Can’t Handle Play
Date: March 5th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “Why can’t our kids play? Is it video games? They are so aggressive. We can’t play kick ball anymore in our school or four-square anymore or any of those types of games because they just can’t seem to handle it. Do you have any ideas?”
Ask Polly: Fed Up with Lack of Respect!
Date: February 19th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “I’m a middle school teacher and I am fed up! How do I get my students to treat me and each other with respect?”
Are Kids Reacting Before Thinking?
Date: February 1st, 2023
Here’s an easy way to teach SEL skills to help kids put space between their thoughts and actions.
Ask Polly: Aggressive Horseplay?
Date: January 29th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “Our middle school boys are very aggressive and ‘hands on’ with each other. I know horseplay is to be expected, but often things get out of hand at lunchtime or in the hallways. What can we do?”
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