Mrs. D's Steps To Respect

Mirror Neurons

These special brain cells help us recognize what others are feeling and what other people's intentions might be in certain situations.  Professor Christian Keysers has been studying the brain and how different regions become active when we view actions and facial expressions.  He calls these mirror neurons, “shared circuits”.  Dr. Keysers found that the postcentral gyrus, also called the somatosensory cortex, becomes active not only when we are being touched, but if we see someone else being touched.

 
Wikipedia Image

Dr. Keyser and his team found that the insular cortex is active when you are feeling disgusted and when you see a disgusted expression on someone’s face.

He calls these mirror neurons, “shared circuits”.  This means that your sensations and feelings match the person you are viewing or reading about and you can imagine what you would have felt or done in the same situation.  These brain cells connect with other areas of our brain, including the frontal lobe.  The activation of the mirror neurons helps us understand other people’s situations, feelings, and motives.  This process is called empathy.

 

 

 

Behaving Respectfully

We've looked at lots of examples of respectful and disrespectful behavior.  Here's another statement that we completed in class:

"One way that I can behave respectfully toward someone--even when I'm angry":

"...is to tell them how I feel but without shouting or being mean."  "...is to take deep breaths."  "Don't scream out loud.  I can scream in my head."  "...is to try to stay calm and try to be nice.  If I do get mad, then very nicely explain and say sorry."  "...is to think of why they are my friend and calm myself down."  "...walk away."  "...by staying calm."  "...by not going crazy and staying calm."  "Don't hit them."  "Act nice and calm."  "Don't talk to them."  "I can be angry on the inside and just not show it on the outside."  "...is to speak clearly and calm."  "...is to take a deep breath before talking to them."  "I would let all my feelings out to someone who cares for me and think about good things--not bad."  "...is to breath deeply and ignore rude comments."  "I can just take a deep breath and talk the conversation out."  "I can do some activities to cool down."  "To say a statement about how I feel...then take a deep breath."  "

Emotions and Sleep

Image from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Getting less sleep impacts the brain’s ability to work when problems pop up during the day.  Research studies  in the last couple of years shows that part of the brain’s emotional center—the amygdala—works 60 percent harder when we don’t get enough sleep.  The amygdala is the danger alert part of the brain.   When it’s more active, we worry more and we’re grouchy.  Professor Matt Walker of University of California, Berkeley, says then there’s  less connection to our frontal lobe (logical thought area) and that means no control over our emotions.  He calls the amygdala the “accelerator” and the frontal lobe the “brakes”.

Students function best when they have 10 to 12 hours of sleep.  Being able to put on the brakes before erupting with anger and frustration helps us to begin to learn problem solving.  Making and keeping friends is easier when we are starting to get some control over our emotions.  Think about how getting more sleep might change how you view your friend's intentions.

Point of View

We've talked about seeing another person's point of view and we completed this statement:

"One way that I can remember to see someone else's point of view":

"Is to pretend to go in their shoes and see how the scenario would work out"  "Listen to what they say back."  "I think of myself in their place."  "I listen closely"  "By listening to them and understanding their mood."  "Talking to them about it."  "In my mind, put myself in their position."  "Is to be nice to them."  "Listen carefully and remember that I would want someone to see my point of view."  "...is to imagine if it happened to me"  "...is to remember that they are a person and want to do stuff"  "I ask them how they are feeling inside or what's going on, are you ok?"  "Be respectful and kind."  "I can think before my actions."  "By working with them--ask them what they're thinking." 

More Intentions

"One way that I have looked for the good in a friend":

"is (notice) that they're helpful"  "(notice) that they play with me"  "(remembering) that he let me borrow his basketball"  "(noticing) when she helps me with problems or is kind to me"  "is to listen to what they say and how they help"  "(seeing) when they are helpful and when they keep their commitments"  "(noticing) when they make me laugh"  "(realizing) how nice he is"  "(offer to) play with that kid at recess and invite him over"  "(seeing) if they're respectful and responsible"  "I talk with them about themselves (compliment) and play with them when I have a chance"  "(notice) when they help me with things"  "(hear them) when they understand me and treat me good, (notice) when they help me when I need it"  "I see when they are caring and helpful"  "See what good can come of it (friend's nice behavior)"  "I wait for them and I talk to them"  "(noticing) caring, helpful, and playful friends"  "I see how they act around me" 

Intentions

In a recent Steps To Respect lesson we learned about intentions.  Here are our words to finish this statement:

"One way that I have shown my good intentions to a friend:"

"is playing with them" "I listen to them" "I invite them to my house to play more with them" "is to show up and live my world (with them)" "by keeping my commitment" "by doing things we both want to do" "inviting him to my house" "by sticking up for them and inviting them to play" "I'd help them in situations or save them a seat if they were left out all the time" "I help them with things" "I treat them with respect and treat them the way I want to be treated" "I keep my promises" "try to help them with a game" "I play with them at recess" "I'm nice to them" "is by telling him I'd go to his baseball game" "by playing, having conversations, and helping them" "listening to them and hearing what they have to say"

Welcome

This is where Mrs. D's fifth grade will be collecting reflections, posting interesting questions, and announcing resources that support our learning.  We have finished the first couple of weeks of our Steps To Respect lessons.  We are listening to the novel, Max Quigley--Technically Not a Bully.