Open Circle: Nonverbal signals & compliments

Dear Family:

In Open Circle recently, we talked about nonverbal signals. A nonverbal signal is a way of communicating without using words. We tried out many nonverbal signals that we already know, such as the signals for okay, no, great job, and let’s be quiet. We talked about why it might be helpful to have some nonverbal signals in the classroom that everyone agrees to and is clear about instead of using words. The class chose several nonverbal signals that we agreed to use this year in the classroom. Ask your child to demonstrate these signals. Ask your child to demonstrate some other nonverbal signals and have you guess what they mean. You and your child might want to develop your own nonverbal signals to use at home.

At another Open Circle Meeting, we talked about giving and receiving compliments. A compliment is saying something good about someone, such as something they do well or something they did that was helpful. Giving compliments in a classroom community is important because it makes others feel noticed and appreciated. Getting a compliment is similar to getting a gift. We learned that when you receive a compliment, you should say, “Thank you!” Each student in the class was given a compliment and practiced responding. At home, be sure to compliment your child often for doing good deeds, being thoughtful, and doing things well. If your child gives you a compliment at home, be sure to say, “Thank you!”

Yours truly, Nicole & Lynne

Literature Connections

Here are some books that relate to the topics we discussed in Open Circle. You might want to check out one or two at the library and read with your child:

Aliki. Manners. Greenwillow Books, 1990.
Short cartoon-format “essays” discuss manners, giving examples of good and
bad manners.

Cheng, Andrea. Grandfather Counts. Lee & Low Books, 2003.
Helen and her grandfather use nonverbal signals to communicate with each other until they learn each other’s languages.

       Curtis, Jamie Lee. I’m Gonna Like Me: Letting off a Little Self-Esteem. Joanna Cotler Books, 2002.

A little girl gives herself compliments for all the things she does, or tries to do! This book gives children good examples of the behaviors and traits that they might observe and compliment in themselves or in other people.