Communication Skills Lesson Plan (Grades 4-8) – Fred learns to make Good Observations

This is the Lesson Plan Hub page for “Fred learns to make Good Observations.” Links to all nine sections of the lesson are included.

Click on CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire lesson plan.

Lesson Objectives for teaching about Communication Skills

Section 1: Lesson Objectives for Teaching about Communication Skills.

Clicking on this resource link leads you to the following 10 items:
(A) Character Traits Addressed
(B) Conflict Resolution Strategies Addressed
(C) Other Concepts Addressed
(D) Cognitive/Instructional Objectives
(E) Emotional Objectives
(F) Behavioral Objectives
(G) Glossary Of Terms
(H) Lesson Length
(I) Links for Teaching Posters for Classroom Use
(J) Links for all the Communication Skills stories and lesson plans.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the rest of the article.

Last Day of 2009 update from Debbie Dunn

Debbie Dunn conducted her Be Bully Free program in a Georgia school and five East Tennessee schools since the school year began. She tells three stories to the whole school that teaches coping-with-bullies skills. The stories also focuses on the importance of practicing your talents and skills instead of bullying. This is followed by a 2-hour workshop with 49 target students who will put on the one-size fits all poncho costumes and perform a 7-act play for the entire school, parents, and press that afternoon. The play is called “No Bullies in the Kingdom.” Finally, the teachers are provided with a learning CD of all kinds of follow-up activities to continue to reinforce the concepts learned about victims of bullying, witnesses of bullying, and bullies. Debbie is willing to travel anywhere to conduct this program for negotiable rates. For more information, please visit http://moredunntales.com/id5.html

Debbie’s 2nd novel was published in December of 2009 called White Reindeer, Kudzu Monster, & Other Tales Of Wonder. For more information about this book, please visit http://askdjlyons.com. Her first novel called The Bell Witch Unveiled At Last! The True Story Of A Poltergeist was published in March 2008. For more information about this book, please visit http://bellwitchunveiled.com. Both books were written under her pen name of DJ Lyons.

Lastly, Debbie has the honor of being the School Conflict Resolution Examiner for Examiner.com at the national level. She posts free stories, role-plays, articles, and lesson plans on the topics of bullying, conflict resolution, and character education from the curriculum she created from 1998 to 2003 called 3 C’s: Character Education, Conflict Resolution, Communication Skills. Feel free to use any of these articles, stories, and role-plays with the young people in your life. Please visit http://www.examiner.com/x-16041-School-Conflict-Resolution-Examiner. She also writes articles for Associated Content.com, eHOW.com, and other sites.

Communication Skills Vocabulary for Fred learns to make Good Observations

Communication Skills Vocabulary used in story called “Fred learns to make Good Observations.” Class will discuss any still unclear Glossary of Terms.

Click on COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article.

How to Prevent a Couple Squabble From Turning Into a War

Little squabbles between couples have the potential to become big in the blink of an eye. If you are not vigilant enough, a small tiff could turn into a drawn-out battle. Whether you are married, dating, just friends, or parent and child, here is how you can prevent a couple squabble from turning into a war.

Click on COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article on Yahoo Voices.

K-W-L Model discussion for Communication Skills tale: Fred learns to make Good Observations

Class will discuss the K & W of the K-W-L Model at beginning of lesson: What do you know and what do you want to know about the importance of making good observations? At the end of the lesson, they will close with the L discussion: What have you learned about the importance of making good observations?

Click on COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read the entire article

Sakwinder Narwal just loves to fish

Sakwinder Narwal just loves to fish. In this day and age, with all the conflict, terrorist threats, and risky economy, I can see why fishing would be something that he would really relish doing. He could relax. He could focus on water ripples, the excitement of wondering which fish he might catch, the dilemma of which fishing lure might be most enticing, and the thrill of deciding where he might travel next to do this fishing.

Sakwinder Narwal has gone to such places as Dixon Lake in California, Apalachicola River in the Florida Panhandle, several Florida Keys islands, Lake George in New York, the Delaware River in New Jersey, a marshy areas in Louisiana, and lots of other locations stateside and internationally. That must be a very enjoyable pastime. Not only do you get to see and explore all these various locations, you can also speak intelligently about what kind of fish populate each area.

I never did any fishing myself other than catching crayfish in the creek in our back yard. My husband enjoyed fishing with his uncle. My brother used to fish as part of one of their Cub Scout field trips. It makes me wonder how Sakwinder Narwal gained his passion for fishing? Did he get it from a relative, a club or group, or was he just born that way. Was it in his genes? In any case, fishing and obviously traveling to all these exotic and beautiful locations are two of his great passions.

Picture is from Animation Factory.com. I have been a member of that group for the last few years. Enjoy!

Bloom's Taxonomy Discussion Questions for Fred learns to make Good Observations

There are six levels in the Bloom’s Taxonomy discussion question process. After reading “Fred learns to make Good Observations,” the teacher will ask questions from all six levels.

Click on CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read both the teacher’s questions and the students’ answers.

Communication Skills writing assignment: Fred learns to make Good Observations

Instructional objective: Students will write about the six levels of the Bloom’s Taxonomy Discussion Questions for the Communication Skills tale called “Fred learns to make Good Observations.”

Link to Communication Skills story: After reading the story called “Fred learns to make Good Observations,” have the students answer the following questions.

Click on CONFLICT RESOLUTION to see the questions to write about.

Communication Skills role-play: Fred learns to make Good Observations

Visit this page to get the link to the PDF file for the scripted role-play to print for classroom use called “Fred learns to make Good Observations.” Students participate in scripted role-play called “Fred learns to make Good Observations.”

Story Description: This role-play called “Fred learns to make Good Observations” illustrates the importance of making good observations about when it is your turn to talk and when you should be simply listening or keeping quiet.

Click COMMUNICATION SKILLS to read and download the scripted role-play.

Tale Hub page for Fred Learns To Make Good Observations

Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for using good communication skills when interacting with other people. This story called “Fred learns to make Good Observations” illustrates the importance of making good observations about when it is your turn to talk and when you should be simply listening or keeping quiet.

A. Teacher reads story to the class called “Fred learns to make Good Observations.”

B. Story Description: This story called “Fred learns to make Good Observations” illustrates the importance of making good observations about when it is your turn to talk and when you should be simply listening or keeping quiet.

Links to all 5 chapters for Fred learns to make Good Observations

Chapter 1 of 5: Fred gets in trouble with his teacher

Chapter 2 of 5: Fred gets in trouble with his friend Rob

Chapter 3 of 5: Fred gets in trouble with two girls

Chapter 4 of 5: Fred gets in trouble with his mother

Chapter 5 of 5: Fred repairs his relationships by practicing making good observations

White Reindeer book is now published

Hooray! My White Reindeer book is now published as of today – barely in time for Christmas! It is being sold for $22.95 on my Publisher’s website.

This week only, if you put in the coupon code of “Merry50″, you can buy the book for 50% off plus $.99 shipping if you don’t mind waiting for 5 to 21 days. After this week, it is back to its full price of $22.95 plus shipping.

My Bell Witch book can be found at this link. They sell it for $24.95. Once again, this week only, if you put in the coupon code of “Merry50″, you can get it at 50% off as well plus shipping.

For more information on my Bell Witch book, you can visit my Bell Witch book & show website. For more information on my White Reindeer book, you can visit my White Reindeer book & show website.

Happy Holidays to all of you. With much love,
Debbie Dunn aka DJ Lyons

Mini Lesson Plan – Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom

This is a mini lesson plan for the story called “Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom.” Students will listen to the story, take part in a role-play, and take part in a main idea class discussion to further enhance the learning experience.

Click SELF-MENTORING to read the entire lesson plan.

Main Idea Discussion Questions for “Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom”

Discuss the story called “Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom.” Story Description: Shane calls Jacob a bad name. Jacob must quickly decide how he will react. He not only recalls advice from a teacher, a friend, and his sisters, he tunes into his Inner Wisdom to select the response that will transform a LOSE-LOSE situation to a WIN-WIN.

Read Chapter 1 – Jacob deliberates on how to respond to Shane’s name-calling

Read Chapter 2: Jacob gets some good ideas from Courtney and Beth

Read Chapter 3: Jacob transforms a LOSE-LOSE confrontation with Shane into a WIN-WIN

Click Main Idea Discussion Questions - Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom to see the questions and answers.

Self-Mentoring role-play: Jacob listens to his Inner Wisdom

Visit this page to get the link to the PDF file for the scripted role-play to print for classroom use called “Jacob Listens To His Inner Wisdom.” Students participate in scripted role-play called “Jacob listens to his Inner Wisdom.”

Story Description: This role-play demonstrates some different ways to Self-Mentor. It is called “Jacob listens to his Inner Wisdom.” Shane calls Jacob a bad name. Jacob must quickly decide how he will react. He not only recalls advice from a teacher, a friend, and his sisters, he tunes into his Inner Wisdom to select the response that will transform a LOSE-LOSE situation to a WIN-WIN.

Click on SELF-MENTORING to read and download the role-play.

Self-Mentoring Tale Hub: Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom

Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for Self-Mentoring when you are a victim of name-calling. The way you choose to respond can either lead to a LOSE-LOSE confrontation where both people feel like they lost, a WIN-LOSE confrontation where only one person feels like the victor, or a WIN-WIN confrontation where both people manage to come out feeling like winners. In this story called “Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom,” Jacob not only manages to recall advice from a teacher, a friend, and his sisters, he tunes into his Inner Wisdom to select the response that will transform a LOSE-LOSE situation to a WIN-WIN.

A. Teacher reads story to the class called “Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom.”

B. Story Description: Shane calls Jacob a bad name. Jacob must quickly decide how he will react. He not only recalls advice from a teacher, a friend, and his sisters, he tunes into his Inner Wisdom to select the response that will transform a LOSE-LOSE situation to a WIN-WIN.

Links to all 3 chapters for Jacob Listens to his Inner Wisdom

Chapter 1 of 3 – Jacob deliberates on how to respond to Shane’s name-calling

Chapter 2 of 3: Jacob gets some good ideas from Courtney and Beth

Chapter 3 of 3: Jacob transforms a LOSE-LOSE confrontation with Shane into a WIN-WIN

Self-Mentoring Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8)-Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

This is the Lesson Plan Hub page for “Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries.” Links to all nine sections of the lesson are included.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Self-Mentoring writing assignment: Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

Instructional objective: Students will write about the six levels of the Bloom’s Taxonomy Discussion Questions for the Self-Mentoring tale called “Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries.”

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Self-Mentoring Vocabulary part 2

Self-Mentoring Vocabulary used in several of the Conflict Resolution tales. Class will discuss any still unclear Glossary of Terms.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

K-W-L Model discussion for Self-Mentoring tale: Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

Class will discuss the K & W of the K-W-L Model at beginning of lesson: What do you know and what do you want to know about why Self-Mentoring yourself is a form of demonstrating good Character Traits? At the end of the lesson, they will close with the L discussion: What have you learned about why Self-Mentoring yourself is a form of demonstrating good Character Traits?

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Discussion link page for Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

There are six levels in the Bloom’s Taxonomy discussion question process. After reading “Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries,” the teacher will ask questions from all six levels. The links to each level are included below:

* Five Bloom’s Taxonomy questions from levels 1, 2, 3, 5, & 6: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Synthesis, and Evaluation.

* Level 4 – Ask the twelve Analysis Questions.

Self-Mentoring role-play: Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

Visit this page to get the link to the PDF file for the scripted role-play to print for classroom use called “Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries.”

A. Students participate in scripted role-play called “Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries.”

Story Description: When you are called a name, you have two options: Make the good character choice to self-mentor or allow your heart and reputation to be harmed. Listen to the character choices made by the three seventh-grade boys you will hear about in this next role-play called “Jesse Needs To Learn To Set Firm Boundaries.”

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read and/or download the role-play.

Self-Mentoring Tale Hub page: Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for Self-Mentoring when you are a victim of name-calling. The way you choose to respond can point to whether you are making a good character choice or bad. Listen to the character choices made by the three seventh-grade boys you will hear about in this next story called “Jesse Needs To Learn To Set Firm Boundaries.”

A. Teacher reads story to the class called “Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries.”

B. Story Description: Just like Hyena in the story called “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path,” people have many fork-in-the-road decisions to make throughout the day. Some choices seem to spell out that this is a person of good character. Other choices seem to spell out that these are people who either haven’t made up their mind what kind of character they wish to have, or they are people who are deliberately making choices that they know to be wrong. Listen to the character choices made by the three seventh-grade boys you will hear about in this next story called “Jesse Needs To Learn To Set Firm Boundaries.”

Links to all 3 chapters for Jesse needs to learn to set firm boundaries

Chapter 1 of 3 – “Sticks and Stones may break my Bones” and Words sure can Hurt!

Chapter 2 of 3 – Jesse nurses and nurtures his feelings of hurt and betrayal

Chapter 3 of 3 – Demonstrating the Warrior Spirit: Internal Empowerment Regardless of the External Situation

Self-Mentoring Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8) – Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path

Self-Mentoring Lesson Plan (Grades 6-8) – Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path

This is the Lesson Plan Hub page for “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path.” Links to all nine sections of the lesson are included.

Click SELF-MENTORING to read the rest of the article.

Lesson Objectives for teaching about Self-Mentoring concepts

Lesson Objectives for teaching about Self-Mentoring concepts

Lesson Objectives for Teaching about Self-Mentoring Concepts. Clicking on this resource link leads you to the following 10 items:
(A) Character Traits Addressed
(B) Conflict Resolution Strategies Addressed
(C) Other Concepts Addressed
(D) Cognitive/Instructional Objectives
(E) Emotional Objectives
(F) Behavioral Objectives
(G) Glossary Of Terms
(H) Lesson Length
(I) Links for Teaching Posters for Classroom Use
(J) Links for all the Self-Mentoring stories and lesson plans

Click SELF-MENTORING to read the rest of the article.

Self-Mentoring Vocabulary part 1

Self-Mentoring Vocabulary part 1

Self-Mentoring Vocabulary used in several of the Conflict Resolution tales. Class will discuss any still unclear Glossary of Terms.

Click SELF-MENTORING to read the rest of the article.

K-W-L Model discussion for Self-Mentoring tale: Hyena’s dilemma

K-W-L Model discussion for Self-Mentoring tale: Hyena’s dilemma

Class will discuss the K & W of the K-W-L Model at beginning of lesson: What do you know and what do you want to know about why Self-Mentoring yourself is a form of demonstrating good Character Traits? At the end of the lesson, they will close with the L discussion: What have you learned about why Self-Mentoring yourself is a form of demonstrating good Character Traits?

Click SELF-MENTORING to read the rest of the article.

Bloom’s Taxonomy Discussion link page for Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path

There are six levels in the Bloom’s Taxonomy discussion question process. After reading “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path,” the teacher will ask questions from all six levels.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to link to all six levels of the discussion questions.

Self-Mentoring writing assignment: Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path

Self-Mentoring writing assignment: Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path

Instructional objective: Students will write about the six levels of the Bloom’s Taxonomy Discussion Questions for the Self-Mentoring tale called “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path.”

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Self-Mentoring Tale: Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path

Self-Mentoring Tale: Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path
Here is a story scenario you can use to help teach about the need for Self-Mentoring and displaying other good character traits of Self Control, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Honesty, Tolerance, Allowing, Caring, Giving, Justice, Fairness, Leadership, and Valuing and Respecting Self.

The story is called “Hyena’s dilemma at a fork in the path.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Mini Lesson Plan: SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

After reading the story called “SPAM and Stairstep Thinking,” students will take part in a variety of follow-up activities to enhance the learning experience. This is a mini lesson plan that includes the story, main idea discussion questions, and a follow-up role-play.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Let’s Discuss Chapter 3 – SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

Let’s Discuss Chapter 3 – SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

Chapter 3 of 3 – Here’s the discussion questions built into the story as Freeze Frame moments. This will help your students get the full benefit from the story. The story will end with a Popcorn Review to help students process the full impact of the story. What’s the story about? Jason is offended and angry that Blake put him down. The rest of the morning went from bad to worse. At lunch, his best friend Lee taught him how to use the SPAM method of anger management and Stairstep Thinking to psych himself into feeling better again.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Let’s Discuss Chapter 2 – SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

Let’s Discuss Chapter 2 – SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

Chapter 2 of 3 – Here’s the discussion questions built into the story as Freeze Frame moments. This will help your students get the full benefit from the story as it progresses. What’s the story about? Jason is offended and angry that Blake put him down. The rest of the morning went from bad to worse. At lunch, his best friend Lee taught him how to use the SPAM method of anger management and Stairstep Thinking to psych himself into feeling better again.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Let’s Discuss Chapter 1 – SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

Let’s Discuss Chapter 1 – SPAM and Stairstep Thinking

Chapter 1 of 3 – Here’s the discussion questions built into the story as Freeze Frame moments. This will help your students get the full benefit from the story as it progresses. What’s the story about? Jason is offended and angry that Blake put him down. The rest of the morning went from bad to worse. At lunch, his best friend Lee taught him how to use the SPAM method of anger management and Stairstep Thinking to psych himself into feeling better again.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.

Conflict Resolution 101: More about Stairstep Thinking and Virtual Reality

If you feel anger or other feelings of angst, try an anger management method called “Stairstep Thinking” and also utilize a process of creating Virtual Realities in your mind. It just might do the trick to getting you to feel content and at peace once again.

As a teacher, you can use this article to stimulate class discussion. As a person seeking a method of anger management that could help, read this article and see if it works for you.

Click CONFLICT RESOLUTION to read the entire article.