Monthly Supports Archive

Conversation Starters, Making Connections activities suggestions  and Resources from previous months are posted here by grade level. 

By Grade Level

Elementary Supports

September Supports

September SEL Topic: Bullying

Conversation Starters:

1 What do you think motivates bullies to make others afraid, or anxious?
2. How could you be an ally for someone who is being bullied? 
3. Who is a trusted adult at school and away from school to whom you could talk to if you, or someone you know, is being bullied?

Making Connections:

1.    Draw a circle and write the word Target in the middle. Draw thought bubbles around the circle and write in statements that could be supportive of a person who is being bullied. 
2.    Make list of deflective statements or actions your child could use if bullied. Role play scenarios where the practiced words and behaviors are used.
3.    Discuss how your student could become a leader in preventing bullying. What kind of program could they design if they were in charge of stopping in-person bullying and/or cyberbullying? Who could they get to help with this project?

September T-2-4 Topic: Careers in Law, Public Service & Security, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Conversation Starters:

1. What do you think your bus driver likes most about his/her job? How is this different than driving a city bus?

2. See that plane in the sky… who do you think is in it? Where are they going? What is the job of the pilot?

3. Which job do you think would be the best for you? Helping people? Fixing things? Making machines go?

 

Making Connections:

  1. Bring treats to the fire fighters at a station near you.

  2. Have your child solve a mystery of something missing at home. Give clues and hints until the item is “found.”

  3. Look under the hood of your car to see all the things that could be repaired. If you know what some of the parts are for, point these out.

8th Grade Supports

September Supports

September SEL Topic: Bullying

Conversation Starters:

1 What do you think motivates bullies to make others afraid, or anxious?
2. How could you be an ally for someone who is being bullied? 
3. Who is a trusted adult at school and away from school to whom you could talk to if you, or someone you know, is being bullied?

Making Connections:

1.    Draw a circle and write the word Target in the middle. Draw thought bubbles around the circle and write in statements that could be supportive of a person who is being bullied. 
2.    Make list of deflective statements or actions your child could use if bullied. Role play scenarios where the practiced words and behaviors are used.
3.    Discuss how your student could become a leader in preventing bullying. What kind of program could they design if they were in charge of stopping in-person bullying and/or cyberbullying? Who could they get to help with this project?

September T-2-4 Topic: Navigate & Endorsement Review

Conversation Starters:

1. What are the five endorsements? To which job categories will they lead you?

2. Imagine you own a ______________ business. What endorsement would you look for when hiring employees?

3. How can choosing an endorsement help you when you graduate from high school?

Making Connections:

  1. Look at this chart together. Which jobs have potential to grow? Which are on the decline? Read the job descriptions for a few and put a star by the ones that sound interesting.

  2. If you had to find a job today, what would you choose? Look on a job posting website such as Indeed. Which jobs available in Houston would you like to do? Which endorsement would help you get this job? Will they pay you enough?

  3. Make a list of as many adults as you know and include their jobs. Next time you see any of them, ask them if they like their job, how they got to their career, and what they wish they had done differently when they were your age.

11th Grade Supports

September Supports

September SEL Topic: Suicide Prevention

Conversation Starters:

1. What are some suicide risk behaviors that should raise a red flag if we observe them?
2. When you feel down, what do you do? With whom is it best to talk it out? What is the best way for you to hear or receive advice?
3. What would you do if your friend told you he was thinking about suicide, but asked you to promise not to tell anyone?

Making Connections
1.    Practice having a conversation about suicide between your child and a “friend.’ What are things to do or say that will make the depressed person feel less alone?
2.    Make wallet cards with the 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) number on them for your student to hand out to friends.
3.    Post emergency phone numbers on the refrigerator.

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