Taking Care of Others

   We explain to our children that our number one rule is that everyone must be safe.  This includes taking care of each others bodies, taking care of each others feelings, and taking care of each others learning.
   We read "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" by Kevin Henkes.  Lilly loves school and her teacher, Mr. Slinger.  One day, Lilly takes something she loves to school, her brand new purple plastic purse that plays a jaunty tune complete with movie star sunglasses and three shiny quarters.  Often, when children bring items to school, they become distractions.  This is also true of Lilly's purse.  Mr. Slinger has to take Lilly's purse until the end of the school day.
   This book helps the children understand that bringing items to school can hurt our learning.  They learn that other behaviors can hurt our learning as well.  They also learn that Lilly expressed her anger in an unacceptable manner.  However, Mr. Slinger forgives her.  We give our friends permission to make mistakes so that we can mistakes as well.