The Learning Page...

Scripts

Each week, our staff regularly engage in professional reading. A staff newsletter is produced each week by leaders with the expectation that all staff will read and respond. One of the key features of the reading is the use of scripts. Scripts are language constructs to help us frame dialogue between each other and our students.

I have included an example of a script below to give you a picture. I hope you enjoy it. 

Scenario- Online Game

The teacher is about to begin an online game with the class. The teacher is mindful that for some, losing/failing may be a trigger. Prior to starting the game, the teacher uses the following script:

At South Melbourne Primary School we follow Big 10 number 9: Try hard all of the time, even when it is challenging and Big 10 number 10: Embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn. I'd like you to think about those before we play the game today. 

When playing games there are always winners and losers. It's important that we learn how to manage our feelings when winning and losing. When losing, we can feel a range of red zone emotions - anger, jealousy, rage or yellow zone emotions such as frustration. Those emotions are OK but we need to work on how we manage them. I find taking 10 deep breaths helps. Others find that doing some colouring or having some quiet time out is useful. 

When we play the game today, I want you to be mindful that your feelings are OK, though I'd like you to think about how to manage them so that we are embracing our mistakes and trying hard even when it's challenging.

After the game:

I really enjoyed playing that game with you today. I noticed that the winner was proud though didn't make others feel bad and I noticed that the rest of the class were able to use a strategy to help manage their yellow and red zone emotions. Remember- all emotions are OK, we just need to learn how to manage them.