Category: Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills

Happy 250th Birthday America

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

I was trying to come up with a blog to tie in with America’s 250th Birthday. I truly could not settle on just one topic.

My husband and I have had the privelege of being able to travel since our retirement. One of our goals was to visit all 50 of the U.S. states in retirement. We have actually made it to 49, and will visit the 50th (Minnesota) later this summer.

If you watch television, especially the news, you get the impression that everyone in America, and even worldwide, is at each other’s throats all the time. This could not be farther from the truth. We have found, in all of our travels, lovely people, eager to share their stores, proud of where they live, and willing to lend a helping hand.

So, perhaps an idea for American students, on our 250th birthday, is to make a point of doing something nice for someone else. Bake some cookies, make a card, pick some flowers, invite someone to a picnic, do what Americans, and people all over the world do…do something thoughtful for someone else!

Hopefully, you will hear from me again next month… Fireworks are illegal in Colorado. Last year, we sat on our back patio and watched at least nine different firework displays. We figure this year, celebrating America’s 250th birthday, and Colorado’s 150th birthday, they’ll blow the whole state up!

Authentic Teaching – Valentine’s Day

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Authentic Resources and Materials, Authentic Teaching, Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

I wanted to write a blog about authentic project ideas for Valentine’s Day. But, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to write it as a blog with an authentic project idea, or approach this as a blog about the importance of doing things for others, giving back, community service… Or a blog about really hitting math skills with the project…

Then I remembered that the whole point of teaching authentically is that you can and should be incorporating all of this into every project. This is what makes it real. This is what makes it count. This is why your students will actually learn and internalize what you are teaching.

I always joke that what made me a good teacher, and good parent, was that I was lazy! I didn’t do anything for the kids that they could do for themselves. But, the truth of the matter, is that it takes more work to have your students/children do as much as they can for themselves. You need to closely monitor, redirect, teach, discuss, model… This makes the experience authentic, and educational.

Cutting out paper hearts for your students to use in a project takes time. However, having them cut out the hearts, prepare all needed materials, takes even more time. Have them work out a budget for their project. Discuss where the materials come from. Do they need to fundraise? Are the materials needed available in your school/home? Who pays for these materials? It takes a great deal of time to go through a project this way, but the payoff is huge!

Having your students prepare all the materials for a project means the end product might not be perfect. But perfection is not our goal. Having every finished product look the same is not our goal. Learning is our goal!

Having your class decide on a way to do something for someone else for Valentine’s Day might not end up with the exact community service project that you had in mind, but again they will have ownership and a much more meaningful, real experience.

It feels like you are letting go of all control, but that is not true at all. You have your objectives, and you are guiding your students towards those objectives. It just isn’t set in stone how you will accomplish those objectives.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy February! Happy Authentic Teaching and Learning!

Giving Back

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Authentic Teaching, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

This is the time of year when I always share a family story…

When I was 12-years-old, my great-grandfather gave me Avon face powder for a holiday gift. Needless to say, I was disappointed by this gift. Instead of lecturing me about being ungrateful, or exchanging the powder for a different gift, my mother agreed that this was not a great gift for a girl my age. She suggested that perhaps there was a woman somewhere, that might not be getting gifts for the holidays, who would appreciate this gift.

This was before the internet, Giving Trees, etc., and it took many phone calls for my mother to find an agency that was collecting gifts for needy families. We ended up “adopting” a family for the holidays. Our whole family picked out gifts for this family. This was a tradition we continued throughout my childhood, and a tradition I continued with my own children, and now my grandchildren.

With the internet, Toys for Tots, Giving Trees… There are so many ways for children to become authentically engaged in the spirit of the holidays. Children can be given examples of ways to make the holidays special for others, can choose to engage in these activities/organizations, or come up with new authentic ideas.

It doesn’t need to cost a lot, or anything, to make someone else happy during the holidays. A handmade card, delivered to someone you know, or don’t know, can make a difference to someone else during the holiday season. And what a great lesson for your students to learn.

Happy December! Happy Authentic Teaching!

Authentic Project Ideas – Valentine’s Day

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Authentic Project Ideas, Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

The holiday season has barely ended, and now we approach Valentine’s Day. (I was actually in a store right before Christmas, and they already had the Valentine’s displays out.) This can be another hard/lonely holiday for many people. What a great time to work on an authentic project for others.

If Valentine’s Day is not celebrated where you live, what similar holidays are? Actually, this is a great research idea, how/where is Valentine’s Day celebrated around the world? What ideas can we use from other countries for ideas for our project?

Even young children can brainstorm ideas for how to remember others on Valentine’s Day. Start with an age appropriate introduction to the holiday, and go from there! Research/Brainstorm/Vote/Implement! Authentic!

Holiday Blues

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

This is the time of year when evidence of the holidays is everywhere. You can’t turn a corner without seeing something holiday related. The television is in full holiday mode with commercials, specials, movies…about the magic of the holiday season.

I have written a great deal about giving to others during the holiday season. However, we also need to remember to take care of ourselves. And, in my humble opinion, the two are connected. If you are alone, or lonely, or the holidays aren’t giving you the holiday glow – try doing something for someone else. You will be surprised how good this makes you feel. Dropping off a simple, inexpensive, or homemade gift will so cheer up someone else, and in return, cheer up yourself!

And don’t forget to show children how important it is to think of others, and how good it will make them feel!

Happy Holidays!

Spreading Joy – Giving Back

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

This is my favorite time of the year! I love all of the decorations, celebrations, giving, sharing…

This is also the season where I always share a family story…

When I was 12-years-old, my great-grandfather gave me Avon face powder for a holiday gift. Needless to say, I was disappointed by this gift. Instead of lecturing me about being ungrateful, or exchanging the powder for a different gift, my mother agreed that this was not a great gift for a girl my age. She suggested that perhaps there was a woman somewhere, that might not be getting gifts for the holidays, who would appreciate this gift.

This was before the internet, Giving Trees, etc., and it took many phone calls for my mother to find an agency that was collecting gifts for needy families. We ended up “adopting” a family for the holidays. Our whole family picked out gifts for this family. This was a tradition we continued throughout my childhood, and a tradition I continued with my own children, and now my grandchildren.

With the internet, Toys for Tots, Giving Trees… There are so many ways for children to become authentically engaged in the spirit of the holidays. Children can be given examples of ways to make the holidays special for others, can choose to engage in these activities/organizations, or come up with new authentic ideas.

Happy December! Happy Authentic Teaching!

Tis the Season to Give Back

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

From the book Tex the Explorer and The Jared Box Project

Illustration by Eyen Johnson

As many of you know, I am passionate about two things, authentic teaching, and The Jared Box Project. These two things work together perfectly, when you are authentically teaching about giving. It is so important all year, but especially this time of year, to remember to give back.

Jared McMullen was diagnosed with an incurable brainstem tumor in 1999. He carried a backpack full of toys and games to all appointments and questioned why the other children didn’t bring toys to their exam rooms. Jared shared his toys and invited the other children to join him in a game of UNO. At just 5 years old, he demonstrated faith, wisdom and compassion for others.

Jared’s classmates sought to honor his memory and created boxes filled with toys for the patients at their local hospital. What was intended as a one-time project has grown into a nonprofit that reaches into the hearts of children and their families across all 50 US States, and also internationally.

I did a presentation last year at a special education school. These children had a great deal on their plate, but all engaged and enjoyed making Jared Boxes. They already earned credit at their school store (for task completion and behavior), and during the Jared Box Project (the name of the project and a project!) they used their credit to buy items for the Jared Box that they were going to make. The students were all engaged, proud, learning, and eager to share their finished boxes.

For more information about The Jared Box Project visit TheJaredBox.org

Tex the Explorer and The Jared Box Project

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Blog, Books for Children, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

We have officially finished the award season for Tex the Explorer and The Jared Box Project. Eyen and I have been overwhelmed with the awards this book has earned.

We are so honored that we were asked to help tell Jared’s story, and to help spread the word about The Jared Box Project. The material we were given to work with was award winning.

2023 Mom’s Choice Awards® Silver Recipient

2023 indieBRAG® Medallion Winner

2023 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards Winner

2023 Chanticleer International Book Awards Semi-Finalist

2023 Story Monsters Approved®

2024 Book Excellence Award Finalist

2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist

2024 Eric Hoffer Award Nominated

2024 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Winner

2024 Global Ebook Awards Gold and Silver Medals

2024 International Impact Book Awards Winner

2024 The BookFest® Book Awards Second Place

2024 Best Book Awards Finalist

Happy Fourth – Kindness Counts!

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Blog, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

As the United States celebrates its 248th birthday, I think it might be a great time to look at where we are as a country, and what is going on in the world. No, I don’t intend to get into this in this blog. Everyone has their own views, insights, and feelings about our country/world today. But, I think we all can agree that right now, and always, the world could use a little kindness.

It is so important to teach children (and young adults) the importance of doing something for others. Nothing makes me feel better than helping others. (This is one of the major reasons I write my blog, maybe I can help an educator or a parent in some small way.)

So, in America, as we celebrate our birthday in a few days, what is one small gesture we can do to make a difference for someone else? Have your students/campers/children make Happy Birthday America cards for folks in a retirement home. Have them call someone who might not get many calls to wish them a Happy Fourth. Make cupcakes or cookies for someone. Invite someone to a picnic, family gathering, fireworks viewing…

If you are not in America, what holiday is coming up in your country that you can include others. Teach children that every kind gesture counts!

Tex the Explorer and The Jared Box Project

by Eleanor K. Smith, posted in Authentic Project Ideas, Blog, Books for Children, Social Awareness and Responsibility Skills, Uncategorized

We just found out that Tex the Explorer and The Jared Box Project was a 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist! Eyen and I are so proud of this book and so happy that we can support the phenomenal work done by The Jared Box Project.

This is a fantastic organization and a great way for children to get involved in an authentic community service project. For more information visit The Jared Box Project.

2023 Mom’s Choice Awards® Silver Recipient, 2023 indieBRAG® Medallion Winner, 2023 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards Winner, 2023 Chanticleer International Book Awards Semi-Finalist, 2023 Story Monsters Approved®, 2024 Book Excellence Award Finalist, 2024 Eric Hoffer Award Nominated, 2024 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards Winner