Grades 1–3
Informational, NarrativeSparksStudents will create strategies and encouraging words for beating the feeling of overwhelm.
This social-emotional learning writing prompt comes from Feeling Words & Healing Words: A Poetry Journey. You can access the full writing unit here.
To begin, introduce students to a new character, “Olly the Octopus.” If one is available, bring in a stuffed or toy octopus to really play up this character. Or, simply read the introduction on the Ode to Octopus handout to help students get to know their new octopus friend.
Tell students that despite all Olly’s strengths, he has a problem that he needs their help with: he gets overwhelmed.
Using the think-pair-share technique, ask students to think about a time they felt overwhelmed and share why they felt this way. Encourage students to also describe this overwhelmed feeling. Share examples from the handout like “being stuck in cold, wet mud” as a guide.
Next, in pairs of small groups, students should brainstorm:
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