Speaking Up

Dear Family:

In Open Circle we learned about speaking up. In order to be able to say what we think or feel and express our ideas and opinions, it’s important to be able to speak up. We learned four steps to help us speak up:

•     Look at the person or group.

•     Speak slowly.

•     Speak clearly.

•     Say it loudly enough so that everyone can hear.

At home, ask your child to use the speaking-up steps to tell you about his/her day in school. Compliment your child on using the new skills. Encourage your child to use these skills not only at home and in school but in other places as well.

Literature Connections

Here are some books that relate to the topics we discussed in Open Circle.

Button, Lana. Willow’s Whispers. Kids Can Press, Ltd., 2010.
Willow has trouble speaking up in school, which leads to one misunderstanding after another. Ultimately she finds a way to make herself heard.

Lester, Helen. Hooway for Wodney Wat. Houghton Mifflin, 1999.
Rodney Rat speaks up once he gains some confidence.

Ms. Serrao read us this read-aloud on Wednesday.  What did Willow do at the end of the story?