Teachings in Rata and Tawa

Rainbow fish

While working in Ruma Rata and later in Tawa at James Street School I wanted to include lessons that incorporated the strengths of the James Street School PB4L growing great learner’s programme; we are Proud, we are Respectful, we are Safe.

 After discussion with my AT and following her suggestions I selected Rainbow fish written by Marcus Pfister an awesome junior shared book with great messages easily linked to the PB4L programme. After reading the shared book to the class, children participated in discussion and brain storm about what they thought made a good friend these were recorded on the white board at the teaching station suggestions from both classes included choosing who is good to play with, being nice and kind, greeting others by saying hello, hi, good morning, kia ora, sharing our time and things, be good to make friends, help people when they are hurt or sad, ask others to join in. (here would have been a good opportunity to extend and involve children in a more in-depth discussion about why these suggestions make for good friendship tips and to think about what actions they are using to show this) overall I wanted these lessons to improve children’s thinking about their relationships with in the classroom and further out to the playground.