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Cool Kind Kid – Sept 2014

As the kids came into class, Ms. Gilmour asked each how his or her summer was. Everyone wanted to talk at once. She laughed as she saw how excited they were to tell her about their summers. They spent the first part of class sharing the fun things they did. Ms. Gilmour then said, “It seems that each of you had some fun times. That is great. Hopefully you remembered the ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenge’ wherever you went.” Again, the kids all wanted to share how they had encouraged other kids to get on board and become ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers.’ Ms. Gilmour looked around the room as each child quieted down. She said, “I know you aren’t excited about this, but now it’s time to go back to school.” Everyone groaned and said they weren’t ready for summer to be over. “Before we talked about camp and other summer fun challenges, we were talking about all the places where we need to be ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers’ in school. Who remembers what those places were?” asked Ms. Gilmour. Truman the Dragon spoke up and said, “We talked about the classroom and found so many other places to mention, like the lockers, the bathroom and the playground.” Nicole jumped in, saying, “We talked about the playground and ball fields.” Carmen added, “And, don’t forget the cafeteria.” Tanner remembered, “Truman wanted to make a ton of posters, all showing how to act in the classroom to be ‘Cool Kind Kids.’ We also talked about showing respect to our teachers, classmates and the flag in our classroom.” Ms. Gilmour said, “You have thought of many ways to be ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers’ in school. Let’s focus on the gym and lockers now, and see what you want on your posters for those places.” Carmen was first to say, “It isn’t cool to make fun of someone when they can’t play a game as well as others.” Nicole added, “And don’t tease kids about how they look in their gym uniform.” Everyone agreed that was a good one. Rudy mentioned, “Being rude in the locker room isn’t cool either. Why can’t everyone just be kind and nice?” Stephen thought about that and added, “Maybe some kids don’t know any other way to act.” Truman the Dragon said, “So we can help them learn how to be ‘Cool Kind Kids.” Everyone highfived Truman. Rudy laughed at Truman and said, “You always know how to be kind to others. Do they teach that in dragon school?” The kids all laughed. Ms. Gilmour asked, “What about the cafeteria? What ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenges’ are there?” Nicole said, “It isn’t cool to exclude someone from sitting with you.” Tanner said, “NO FOOD FIGHTS!” Ms. Gilmour then asked, “What are you showing when you have food fights?” “No respect!” said all the kids. “Are you seeing that respect is important in all areas of your school?” asked Ms. Gilmour. Everyone agreed that it was very important.

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Kids

Be Cool Kind Kid Camp Challengers

by Barbara Gilmour The kids all came to class excited. When Ms. Gilmour asked them why they were so happy, one by one they said, “No more school!” “No homework!” “It’s summer!” “It’s fun time!” Ms. Gilmour added, “It’s also CAMP time!” Everyone cheered for camp. She then added, “What are some types of camps that you may be going to this summer?” Tanner was first to say, “I’m excited to go to sleep away camp for two weeks.” Nicole said, “I’m going to Girl Scout Camp with Carmen.” Carmen added, “I can’t wait. It will be so much fun.” Rudy shared, “My school has a cool day camp that lasts the whole summer. We do lots of fun things.” Steven, who is crazy about sports, added, “I’m going to a sports camp with my whole team. We learn and practice every day. That sounds like it’s hard, but it really is fun.” Truman, who had been quiet while the other kids talked, said that he was going to be part of a neighborhood camp. Some of the kids asked what that was about. He said, “We have a lot of kids in my neighborhood, and other nearby ones, so our town has a cool camp that anyone can go to. We swim, play sports, do crafts, go on field trips, and other fun stuff. We even work on a play that we perform at the end of the camp.” The kids all agreed that Truman was going to have a good time this summer. Ms. Gilmour then mentioned, “In our last few classes, we were talking about being Cool Kind Kid Challengers in school, especially in the classroom. What do you think are some ways to be Cool Kind Kid Challengers when at camp?” Nicole said, “I think many of the things we said about school apply to camp. We should be respectful to the counselor or instructor, just like our teacher.” Carmen added, “We should be respectful to other kids, just like in school. That means being accepting, kind, and caring.” Rudy was waving his hand, “We should be respectful of camp property, just like school property.” Everyone high-fived Rudy. Carmen added, “And we should do our best at camp, in sports, games, swimming, whatever; just like in school.” Truman was eager to share, “We can definitely challenge our friends at camp to be accepting, kind, caring, and respectful, just as we should be in school. We can help kids learn that being mean, rude, teasing, and bullying aren’t cool. We can each be a good example for other kids. We can challenge kids to be friends with everyone, even if they are different from us.” The kids all cheered for Truman. Ms. Gilmour then added, “Many of you will be at camp for the 4th of July; so how should Cool Kind Kid Challengers celebrate that holiday?” “With respect!” “With flags!” “With a parade!” “With fireworks!” were some of the kids’ lively suggestions as they left class. (C) Cool Kind Kid Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmother, is the creator and developer of the “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. She also writes the Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children manners and social skills. www.CoolKindKid.com.

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Kids

Cool Kind Kid – The Classroom

Nicole, Carmen, Rudy, Steven, Tanner and Truman the Dragon dragged themselves into class. Ms. Gilmour looked at them and asked, “Why the long faces today?” Everyone tried to speak at once. Tanner looked sad as he told the kids that some kids in his class were being disrespectful to the teacher. Nicole commented that kids in her class were showing up late and not coming prepared. Ms. Gilmour asked, “What does that tell us?” Truman responded, “The things we decided to put on the poster Tanner suggested last time are really happening.” “What other ideas do you have for classroom challenges for your posters?” asked Ms. Gilmour. Rudy said, “I was mad coming in today because so many kids in my class are rude. A lot of them think being mean and using bad words are cool.” Nicole added, “I don’t get it. Why do some kids think that being unkind and mean is cool?” Carmen was thoughtful as she said, “What about kids who don’t do their part in class projects? That may not be bullying, but it isn’t doing your best, helping where you can or being cool.” Truman added, “If we think about challenging kids to do their best, to help, share and be respectful, I bet there will be less bullying.” The kids all agreed with Truman. Ms. Gilmour asked, “What holiday do we have this month?” The kids all looked at her kind of funny. She added, “I know I changed the subject of our topic, but think about the holiday and how it fits our classroom challenge discussion.” Tanner was first to respond, “I know. Flag Day.” “And where do you see a flag in your school?” Ms. Gilmour asked. Nicole jumped up and said, “We have one in my classroom.” Rudy and Steven both said their classrooms had flags, too. Truman then stood, put his right hand over his heart and began marching around the room pretending to hold a flag. The kids all laughed at him, but he didn’t mind. Everyone realized that their classrooms had flags also. Ms. Gilmour then asked, “What is the most important thing that you can challenge other kids about the flag?” Nicole and Carmen both spoke at the same time, “Show respect for the flag!” Tanner added, “Don’t let it touch the ground.” Rudy said, “We must keep it clean and be sure it isn’t ripped or torn.” “Who knows the proper way to dispose of a torn flag?” asked Ms. Gilmour. Most hands went up as the kids responded with the right answer, “It must be burned.” Truman was still standing, so he demonstrated how to say the Pledge of Allegiance, “Stand straight and tall, with your right hand over your heart.” The kids practiced, then followed him around the room waving pretend flags with their hands over their hearts. Ms. Gilmour then said, “You have lots of ideas for your classroom challenge posters. Let’s include a flag in a classroom, too. I can’t wait to see your finished posters.” Barbara Gilmour, Tanner’s grandmother, is the creator and developer of the “Cool Kind Kid” Social Skills, Character Values and Anti-Bullying educational materials and the award-winning “Cool Kind Kid” Audio CD. She also writes the Children’s Manners Blog, offering tips for teaching your children manners and social skills. www.CoolKindKid.com.  

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Kids

Cool Kind Kid Challengers

by Barbara Gilmour Truman the Dragon came to class loaded down with art supplies. The other kids had some too, but not as much as Truman. When Ms. Gilmour saw him, she said, “Hello,” first and then rushed to help him. Tanner, Rudy, Carmen, Stephen and Nicole all greeted her as they put their art supplies on the table she had ready. Then they all looked at Truman and asked, “Why did you bring so many art supplies?” Truman smiled as he said, “When I went home from class last week and thought about all the places at school where bullying happens, I knew that we would need to make more than one poster each. I want us to be able to make enough posters so kids will see where they need to learn to be Cool Kind Kid Challengers. Ms. Gilmour and all the kids cheered for Truman. Ms. Gilmour then said, “Well, we have a lot of work to do, so we’d better get started. Before we start making the posters, let’s make a list of places we want to show.” Hands started going up as Tanner was first to share, “The classroom.” Nicole added, “The cafeteria.” Rudy said, “We definitely need to include the lockers.” Carmen added, “The bathrooms need to be bully-free.” Everyone agreed. Stephen said, “What about the gym and locker room?” “Good one, Stephen,” said Truman. He continued, “We can add the playground and ball fields, too.” Next, Ms. Gilmour asked the kids to think about challenges for just the classroom. Since this was the place that Tanner felt was important to show, he responded, “I think a challenge for the classroom would be to get to class on time, take your seat promptly and be prepared.” Nicole looked at him funny and said, “But how does that prevent bullying?” Ms. Gilmour asked if anyone had an answer for Nicole. No one was sure what the right answer was. She wanted the kids to think of the answer on their own, so she prompted them by saying, “What does being on time, taking your seat promptly and being prepared show your classmates and your teacher?” Nicole jumped up. “I know! It shows them respect.” Truman fist bumped Nicole. Ms. Gilmour continued, “Showing respect helps everyone get along, especially in the classroom.” Tanner had already started drawing on his paper. The kids all wanted to know what he was going to draw. He replied, “I’m showing some desks in a classroom, with kids sitting up straight, their homework on top and a clock on the wall. Then I’m going to write ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers show respect to teachers and classmates by being on time and prepared for class.’” Everyone applauded Tanner. Ms. Gilmour then said, “It looks like we have much more to talk about with just the classroom part of school. I know you will have more good ideas for classroom challenges when we meet again next week. Bye for now.”

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Cool Kind Kid

Local Kids Start Anti-Bullying Campaign

The kids were all excited when they arrived for class today. As Ms. Gilmour greeted each one, they all said, “I’m a ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenger’” to her. She laughed when she realized that they had planned this ahead of time. They began talking all at once, trying to tell her things that had happened since their last class. She raised her hand to calm them down. Ms. Gilmour then asked if the kids remembered talking about writing a press release about being “Cool Kind Kid Challengers.” All said that they did. She continued, “What did we say was the reason for the press release?” Tanner spoke first. “So everyone will know about it.” Nicole then said, “So kids will know how to be one.” Rudy added, “So we can let people know where they can be a ‘Cool Kind Kid Challenger.’” “All good reasons,” replied Ms. Gilmour. Ms. Gilmour then asked, “Where should we send the press release?” Carmen said, “How about our local newspaper?” Truman the Dragon laughed and said, “The Dragon News!” Everyone laughed with him. Stephen thought posting it on the Internet was a good idea. Everyone agreed. Nicole said, “Let’s make posters out of the press release and hang them in our schools.” Ms. Gilmour said, “All good ideas. We need a catchy heading for the press release,” Ms. Gilmour continued. Tanner asked, “What about ‘Local Kids Start Anti-Bullying Campaign’?” Nicole said, “I like it. It makes me want to learn more about it.” Ms. Gilmour said, “That’s exactly what the heading should do. Do you all like this heading?” The kids gave it six thumbs up. “Now we need to tell what the campaign is about,” said Ms. Gilmour. Truman the Dragon was first to say, “All kids can be ‘Cool Kind Kid Challengers.’” Rudy shared, “We are about helping kids reject bullying by being kind and cool.” Nicole added, “We challenge kids to be ‘Tough enough to be Kind.’” “And, ‘Cool enough to be Kind,’” added Stephen. Carmen said, “We want kids to know that they can stand up for kids who are being bullied, be their friend.” Nicole thought about that and said, “Sometimes kids who bully need a friend, too.” “What are a few challenge ideas we can add?” asked Ms. Gilmour. All hands went up. “Be Tough enough to stop someone from picking on a little kid on the playground,” said Rudy. “Be Cool enough to not spread gossip about someone,” added Carmen. Nicole added to that, “Be Cool enough to believe that everyone deserves to be treated equally and with respect.” Tanner was thinking. “Let’s put in where to be a CKK Challenger. Do you like my abbreviation?” Everyone liked it. Truman started listing places. “School, playground, sports events, our neighborhoods and community places.” Rudy added, “Wherever we go, we can be CKK Challengers!” The kids couldn’t wait to see what kind of response their press release would bring.

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