At St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point, third grade teacher, Miss Rachel Skinner, began the school year with creative ideas, sticky toothpaste, and happy students. She organized a team building activity that was enjoyable and “hands-on” where the students squeezed out an entire tube of toothpaste as fast as they could. Next, the students used toothpicks to get as much toothpaste as possible back into the tube.
After all the groups tried but failed to corral the toothpaste back into its tube, the class had an open discussion about hurtful words, which they called toothpaste words. Because just like the toothpaste, the children realized that once they said a hurtful (toothpaste) word, they can't take (or put) it back. Miss Skinner wrote several of these words on the board and highlighted the importance of choosing appropriate words when expressing thoughts and feelings. Ms. Skinner and the children further discussed that when the children carefully choose words, they will have a more respectful, collaborative, and comfortable classroom this year.
St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point offers grade levels Junior Pre-Kindergarten (for three year olds) through grade eight. St. Mary’s outstanding and creative faculty teaches a rich curriculum supported by leading-edge technology. St. Mary’s is currently accepting new students for the 2018-2019 school year. To learn more about St. Mary’s School or schedule a tour, visit stmarycp.org/school.