Thelma the Unicorn is a book about an ordinary pony who dreams of becoming a unicorn and achieves fame after a magical transformation, only to discover that being true to herself is more important than stardom.
We chose this book to discuss the importance of self-love and accepting who you are, even without sparkles and fame. We became our own unicorns by making a unicorn headband with a mane full of all our wonderful traits. We played a unicorn ring-toss game that was fun but harder than we expected. It just made it more exciting when someone actually managed to get the ring around the unicorn horn.
Pig the Winner follows a greedy, competitive pug who learns a lesson about sportsmanship after a disastrous eating contest with his friend Trevor. The story follows Pig as he cheats and throws tantrums to win, but ends up swallowing his bowl, which Trevor helps him get out, leading Pig to realize that having fun is more important than winning.
We chose this book to look at the importance of sportsmanship, sharing and learning to have fun instead of just winning. After reading the story we sorted out good sport/poor sport scenarios and sayings. We played Pillars of Power to practice showing good sportsmanship.
Summer is officially over but that means we're back at prevention in the school. We're happy to provide programs in kindergarten through 8th grade.
In 4th and 5th grade we've started the Second Step Bullying Prevention program. This program aims to teach students the skills they need to stop bullying. They learn how to recognize when bullying is happening, to report the bullying to a trusted adult, and to refuse to let bullying happen to themselves or others. Students learn how to be a positive bystander who stands up and is part of the solution. Second Step is an evidence-based program that has been shown to be effective in schools across the country.
Bullying and being bullied can create barriers to healthy development and youth's ability to thrive. It's often caused by many of the same factors that can cause conflict and abuse in adult relationships.
IL went on an adventure to Knoebels Grove. We spent the day riding rides and having a great time for the close of summer. This trip was a reward for the responsibility that our IL members have displayed throughout the year.
At our meeting this month, we said goodbye to one of our longest attending members as she's aged out of the program. We hope that she'll be able to use the skills she's learned as she finishes college and enters the adult world. She's been a fantastic member, and it's been a joy to watch her grow up. We hope she looks back at her time in IL with fondness and wish her luck!