Warrior Way Visits

Warrior Way Visits General Guidelines/Outline for Class Visitations – 2nd Grade

1. Introduce yourselves to the class - what elementary school did you go to? what sports do you play? what other hobbies/interests do you have? what is your favorite subject?

2. Show the Warrior Way introductory movie from youtube at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFdrHsmvPZI&feature-youtu.be If you have any trouble with the link – the chairmen in each building have DVD’s with the video on them that you can use (there is a DVD/Smart Board in each room)

3. Play THAT WOULD BE ME! (Tell the kids that they know quite a bit about you - but you don’t really know too much about them)

INSTRUCTIONS: Tell the kids that you are going to ask them a series of questions – if the question applies to them they are to stand up and yell “That Would Be Me!” (This might take a little instruction, encouraging, demonstration at first)

When they stand up and yell “that would be me” – single out a few kids and ask them what their names are (you might take the opportunity to also shake their hand or high 5 them, which will encourage others to join in with the “that would be me” responses)

Examples of some basic introductory questions:

How many of you are 8 (9) years old? (if they are - they should stand up and yell “That would be me!”) How many of you have a brother? A sister? Who is looking forward to April vacation? How many of you play basketball (soccer, softball, baseball, etc)? How many of you are Patriots’ (Red Sox) fans? Who loves ice cream? Does anyone here play a musical instrument? Who loves to go bowling? Who has been to a game at the high school? How many of you like to read? You can certainly ask whatever you like - this is just to try and make the lesson interactive - and not have you just talking to them!

When you feel like they are in the swing of things – ask:

Who know what it means to be a good teammate? (write TEAMWORK on the board - then ask someone who has raised their hand what they think “teamwork” means - or what teamwork looks like. Brainstorm a little bit about teamwork and what being a good teammate means – writing key words on the board as you go. Try to broaden their horizons a bit and not just reference teamwork as it relates to sports, but also to being a good classmate, brother or sister and friend. Tell the kids why it has been so important to you as a varsity athlete, as a student and as a person)

Return to some basic questions - who loves recess, summer vacation - who has been to a game at the high school, etc

Then try to work in the following phrases – How can you show that you: CARE ABOUT CLASSMATES? What does it look like when you WORK WELL WITH OTHERS? Who knows how to MAKE A BIG PROBLEM SMALLER?

These would be good words to work into the conversation:

pride - teamwork - respect - effort – friendship - caring

(be sure to write these words on the board as well)

4. Now tell the class a little about how sportsmanship, pride, teamwork, character, friendship and caring about others have influenced your academic and athletic career

If you have time you could also discuss some personal qualities that you value and that have helped you to be successful - both academically as well as athletically. Maybe you are very determined to do a good job, perhaps you are a very caring person and treat others well, maybe you have a personal sense of pride to always do what you think is the right thing, perhaps friendships with classmates and teammates are important to you, maybe you love to see others do well and you do all you can to help others have a positive experience, abiding by rules is important (athletically as well as in school), tell them how studying is a lot like practicing for your sport (things you struggle with take more practice), make an analogy between sportsmanship on the field and how you treat your classmates, etc.

Keep in mind that these are 2nd graders - so keep it relatively basic!

5. Then have a Question and Answer Opportunity so the kids can ask you any questions that they want (who is your favorite athlete, where do you want to go to college, etc)

6. Introduce the Activity Sheet for the kids to reinforce the values you have emphasized in your lesson

7. Each classroom teacher should have a book (or a choice of books) that you can read to “your” class. Sit on 2 chairs - gather the children around you (in the reading circle or on the rug - or whatever they use for reading stories in your classroom). Be sure to read slowly and show them the pictures. If there are any analogies to make between the book and your lesson - make them!!

WHAT MAKES US GREAT ANDOVER WARRIORS

At our meeting this morning I explained to you about our efforts to make a video about all the important values that distinguish kids in the Andover Public Schools (friendship, caring, effort, enthusiasm, teamwork, sportsmanship, character, etc). We are going to try and put together a video “collage” from classrooms all over town. Please work with the most important “theme” of the day with your class (teamwork) – and have individuals, or groups of individuals or the entire class come up with a 6 word “summary” that does a GREAT job of conveying your important message. Perhaps have students hold up one letter per sheet (of the word teamwork) and the others reciting your 6 word summary. They might want to demonstrate their word and summary out at recess – in a poem or song – in the library, art, etc.

At some point during the day – your school “videographer” will come into your class to video your class’ presentation. Try to have fun with this – do NOT stress out about it – do the best you can with your kids. If you need them to come back later, ask them to do that – knowing that there is no guarantee that there will be enough time for return visits to everyone.

ENJOY THE REST OF THE DAY WITH “YOUR” KIDS!