Safety & Person-Centered Focus
Monday, July 13, 2020
Check-In with everyone
Hello! July's theme is INDEPENDENCE! This week is all about independence AT HOME!!
Warm Up Game
Tell us how many house-keeping tasks you can do indepdently in each room of a house. 1 minute per room.
PRESENTERS: you can use CTRL and + sign to make the picture larger in the display
Tool Box
PRESENTERS: Show this image for 30 seconds then stop sharing. Let everyone concentrate on the image. After you stop sharing see how many of the items the group can remember in the picture.
What A Mess!
PRESENTERS: Show these messy rooms. Use the questions to start a discussion.
Q&A
- What do these pictures of messy rooms make you think about?
- Are there rooms in your house that are your responsibility to keep tidy? Which ones?
- Do you keep them tidy all the time? Or do they get messy sometimes?
- Which room is the hardest to keep clean?
- Are you more naturally tidy, or more naturally messy?
- What activities do you think make a mess?
- Do you like house work? What about yard work?
- Why do we have to do house work over and over again? How come it never gets permanently done?
Body Break
<you know what you like! Do that. Love your body!>
Show & Share
Show us your favorite cleaning tool or cleaning product. It can be for your house, your possessions, or your personal grooming. Tell us what you like about it and when you started using it. STAFF--participate in show and share yourselves. It'll be fun!
Tomorrow's Show & Share is a plant or leaf from your house, garden, or back yard, or a picture of your favorite plant or tree.
Interaction/Body Break—House Keeping Skills Song: OK to stand for this one as a body break
Sing to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It"
If you're tidy and you know it clap your hands.
If you're tidy and you clean it clap your hands.
If you're tidy and you know it, then your house will surely show it. If you're tidy and you clean it clap your hands.
If you vaccuum and you dust it, nod your head.
If you vaccuum and you dust it, nod your head.
If you vacuum and you dust it, then your friends will surely trust it,
If you vaccuum and you dust it, nod your head.
If your laundry's clean and fluffy, wave your arms.
If your laundry's clean and fluffy, wave your arms.
If your laundry's clean and fluffy, then your clothes are never stuffy.
If your laundry's clean and fluffy, wave your arms.
If your lawn is mowed and trimmed punch the air
If your lawn is mowed and trimmed punch the air
If your lawn is mowed and trimmed, all your neighbors surely grinned.
If your lawn is mowed and trimmed punch the air
Life-long Learning
Discussion
- Where did you learn to do household tasks?
- How old were you when you first started taking responsibility around the house?
- Did you get allowance or paid for doing household chores?
- If you were a parent, would you give your kids allowance for doing chores?
- What kinds of chores would you make your kids do?
- Now, as an adult, do you have more responsibility for your home?
- What additional responsibilities do you have?
- What is your least favorite house keeping task?
- What task do you enjoy, or think you do especially well?
Jokes About House Work
Q: What's the best way to get rid of kitchen odors?
A: Eat out. (Phyllis Diller)
My second favorite household chore is ironing, my first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint. (Erma Bombeck)
My kitchen floor is sticky, and I had to do something about it.. so finally I went out and bought some slippers. (Sarah Silverman)
<Body Break>
Wave those arms, wiggle those legs
Applying Learning
Imagine you are going to live independently with your best friend. You get a great apartment and you have cool furniture and a great TV. You are both excited for your new independent life.
About a month after moving in, you realize that your best friend is kind of a slob. They never put anything away. They never take out trash. They never cook. They never clean the toilet or sinks. They just make messes and leave them all over the apartment. Which strategy would you choose to try and fix the problem?
- Keep silent and complain to your staff or other friends when your roommate isn't around
- Tell your friend they have to clean up the whole apartment this weekend or ELSE!
- Collect all your friend's stuff and chuck in the dumpster.
- Clean up after your friend and try to make the best of it.
- Leave your friend angry notes every place they leave a mess.
- Just give up and be a slob yourself too. At least that way you don't have to do any housework
- Call your friend's mom or other relative and ask them to come clean up after your rommmate
- Schedule a time to talk with your friend and ask a staff person to help you have an open, honest conversation, explaining the problem to your roommate and asking them to help.
PRESENTERS: discuss the possible outcomes of the strategies. Each has possible benefits and possible costs. Guide the conversation toward short-term vs long-term solutions.
Culture
There is a famous play called "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon. It's a comedy about a very tidy guy and a very sloppy guy trying to share an apartment. It was so famous it became a TV show multiple times and is still performed in the theatres all over the world. Watch this short clip.
Nobody's Perfect
House keeping is something that goes great sometimes and then gets backed up other times. No one is perfect at it. It's OK that there are messes sometimes but it's also important for our health and safety to be clean. Vote on which of these items is DIRT that needs to be cleaned, or just MESSINESS that should be tidied up.
- Maple syrup on the countertop
- Magazines on the dining table
- Mail in a pile on the kitchen island
- Bits of food stuck to the floor near the kitchen sink
- Coffee spilled on the rug
- Dust on the TV and electronics
- Cat and dog hairs on the couches and chairs
- Lotion accidentally squirted on the bathroom counter
- Mold in the shower
- Towels on the bathroom floor
- Rotted vegetables in the fridge drawer
- Chocolate syrup on the ceiling.
What Did We Learn Today?
Community & Civic Education
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Check-In with everyone
Hello! July's theme is INDEPENDENCE! Today we'll be talking about your role as a neighbor where you live.
Learning about my neighborhood
Share with us about your neighborhood.
- What kind of street do you live on? Does it have a sidewalk?
- How many neighbors live near you?
- Are your properties right next to each other? Or farther apart?
- Does anyone live across the street from you?
- Do you know your neighbors? If you do, what can you tell us about them?
- Has anyone moved in or moved out of your neighborhood recently?
- How long have you lived there?
The Urban Forest
Look at this flyer about trees in cities and suburbs. Trees are very important everywhere on Earth. They are especially helpful in cities and places where people live very close together or have a lot of traffic and activity. All the trees and plants in cities and suburbs are often called the "Urban Forest."
PRESENTERS: Page 2 of the flyer has specific things that trees do for all of us. Focus on the things that mean the most to your group. Learn some new ways trees matter that you may not have thought about it.
Look at this survey you can take of your block. See how much urban forest there is on your block.
Do an inventory of the trees and plants on your block. If you got an activity packet this week, check and see if you got a copy of the survey...
<Body Break>
Make it Count!
Show and Share
Yesterday we asked everyone to find a leaf or picture of a plant from their neighborhood to share. Show us your plant souvenier and tell us about it.
- Where did you get it?
- Was it in your back yard, front yard, or the public part of the neighborhood?
- Is it a tree, bush, food plant or flowering plant?
- Are there a lot of them where you live, or is it unique?
The Arbor Day Foundation has a cool web page that can help you identify a tree by its leaf. Use one of the leaves someone brought to share and see if you can answer the questions on the web page until you find out what tree it came from. OR, if you don't have a sample leave, use this picture.
For tomorrow's Show and Share be ready to show us your favorite exercise, stretch, or sport. You can demonstrate it for us or share a picture.
Neighborhoods in Other Countries
Look at these places people share with their neighbors. People live differently in different countries.
<Body Break>
Property and Fences
There is a saying from a poem by Robert Frost that many people like to repeat: "Good fences make good neighbors."
- What do you think that means?
- Do you think it's true?
- Are you separated from your neighbors by fences?
- Do you like it, or not?
- If you have a fence around your house, what are the good things about it? Any bad things?
A person who owns a piece of land often calls it their "property." The US Constitution protects certain rights for property owners. For example, if an owner doesn't want people they didn't invite to come onto their property they can put up signs and get help from law enforcement to keep people off their land.
The word for being on land without permission is
T______________ing?
A lot of people are renters. They don't own the land or the buildings they live in. Renters have certain rights too, which landlords have to respect. For example, a landlord can't just go into a renter's house or apartment without any notice any time they want.
The name of the contract between a landlord and a renter is called a rental agreement or a L_______.
<Body Break>
Neighborly Privacy Dilemma
Joshua loves his neighborhood. Every morning he goes for an early jog to get his day started right. A few weeks ago his neighbor Manny had his dad move in with him. Joshua likes Manny and thought it would be fun to have another person to play cards with but now there is a problem. Every morning when Joshua comes back from his run, Manny's Dad is standing in the front yard in his underwear, reading the paper as he slowly walks back into the house. Joshual feels uncomfortable seeing the older man in what should be private clothing. Manny's Dad doesn't seem to mind though. He even waved at Joshua a few times. What can Joshua do? Shoule he even tell Manny? Or is it Josh's problem?
Being a good neighbor
Name 3 ways to show respect to your neighbors.
Look at the list of neighborly and un-neighborly behavior. Which is which? (Check your activity pack for your own copy)
What did we learn today?
Well Being & Social Connection
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Check-In with everyone
Hello! July's theme is INDEPENDENCE! And today we start our Health and Wellness Series. Every Wednesday we will be delving into how to take care of our health and well being so that we can live comfortably for as long as possible. Ready?
Definitions of Health
Everybody thinks about being healthy. What means that you are healthy to you? These links have some definitions you can talk about. If you got the print packet this week, these handouts will be in there...
Speaking of health... you guessed it!
<Body Break!!>
Show & Share
Show or share your favorite exercise, stretch, or sport. You can show us how you do it on camera or you can share pictures with everyone. If you participate in sports or Special Olympics, tell everyone about it. Staff... you too. What exercise or sport do you love?
For tomorrow's Show & Share be ready to do a scavenger hunt on things we need or use to write letters.
Healthy to Me
Here are some things that might be true for you when you feel healthy. Circle and discuss.
Giving Voice to Your Parts
Ready to try some acting? Choose a part of your body and pretend like it's a separate part of you. Invent a funny voice for it.
For example, your stomach might sound growlly or your ear lobe might sound like a little girl... be creative.
PRESENTERS: Don't be nervous to get goofy with it. Model a silly voice and the kinds of things a body part would complain about.
Give your part something to complain about. Maybe your leg is always hurting, or your brain is always tired, or your tummy is always hungry. Use the silly voice to complain. You can answer the silly voice with your regular voice if you want, kind of like a goofy argument. OR have your part talk to someone else's part so they can complain together.
Choosing Goals
We've talked about goals before. But this time these are just between you and your body. Only you are choosing and only you will make them happen.
Take a look at these health goals and see if any of them inspire you.
If they don't, make up a goal of your own...
<Body Break>
CRAFTy Fun!
Vision boards are really great ways to set goals. They make us excited because they are full of pictures. Let's look at these fitness vision boards. would you like to make a vision board like this? Start with some old magazines and check out this how-to.
Do you think you have the stuff around your house to make a vision board? If not you can look at vision boards other people make on Pinterest or iWish
What's Up With You & Your Body
This is a survey that you can complete to check on your current feelings of wellness.
PRESENTERS: These are OPTIONS. You can look at what makes sense for your group.
Here are some other ways to see if you are feeling good.
Team Competition to test your health knowledge
Evaluate your lifestyle choices
<Body Break>
Exertion and Perception
Whew! Those are two big words. Here's what they mean:
-energy you use to do something hard
-your point of view, how things seem to you
So... think about your exercise routines and how you keep fit. Then look at this chart that helps people know how hard they are exercising. How hard do you usually exercise? For how long?
How hard did you exert yourself on the body breaks today?
What Did We Learn Today?
Self-Advocacy, Rights & Responsibilities
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Check-In with everyone
Hello! July's theme is INDEPENDENCE! Since this week is all about your housing options and how to be independent where you live, today we focus on how to communicate so you are included in decisions that affect your housing.
Look at these dream houses. Which is your favorite?
Setting up Your Home
What do you need in different areas of your home to be comfortable and have convenient access to your possessions? Check your activity packet for the printed pages.
If you live with others, do they have possessions in some areas of the house?
<Body Break>
Show and Share
Communication is an important part of having good relationships. When people live with us we can talk to them. But if people live far away we need to reach out in other ways. Letters are a lot of fun, good practice, and people really like getting letters in the mail. Do you have letter writing materials in your house? When your presenter says GO! find as many of these things as you can in 2 minutes.
PRESENTERS: Count down 2 minutes for the scavenger hunt.
- pen
- pencil
- envelopes
- stamps
- stationery
- address book
- paper clips
- scissors
- hole-punch
- stapler
Tomorrow's Show & Share will be a card game or board game that you like to play. Show us what it looks like and tell us what you like about it.
Sharing Housing with Others
- Do you live alone, or with other people?
- If you live with others, are they family, friends or roommates?
- What is the best thing about your living arrangement?
- What is the most challenging part?
Expectations and Contributions
Everyone grows up with different habits and expectations so when we live with people we don't know as well, everyone has to make adjustments.
Look at the suggestions for living with other people.
Do you agree with these?
If you've lived with other people, what have you learned from the experience?
<Body Break>
Role Play
Use these situations to practice ACTIVE LISTENING skills. Two people pretend to be roommates A and B and use the listening skills to understand each other.
PRESENTERS: Model the active listening pattern - listen, repeat what you heard, get confirmation or correction, confirm understanding.
- Roommate A wants to borrow B's coat for a special occasion
- Roommate B has a parent visiting next weekend and wants to know if roommate A minds
- Roommate A needs roommate B to stop throwing wet towels on the bathroom floor.
Replacing Complaining with Action
Look at this strategy for solving roommate problems.
- How would you ask for a meeting to discuss a problem?
- Where would you put the plan you make?
- What makes it difficult to ask someone to work on a problem with you?
What Did We Learn Today?
Knowledge & Fun With Friends
Friday, July 17, 2020
Check-In with everyone
Hello! July's theme is INDEPENDENCE! You've heard the saying "Home is where the heart is." Well today we'll be exploring how friendship and love give us that feeling of home, even if we don't live in a perfect place of our dreams. When we spend time with loved ones our lives are rich.
Entertaining Responsibly
Being around people we like and love, who like and love us, makes us happy and healthy. Sometimes, if we don't pay attention, we can become DEPENDENT on others to maintain relationships. Take this quiz to find out if you are good at keeping relationships active.
- How often do you call the people you consider friends to find out how THEY are doing? a)twice a year b) twice a month c) once a week d) daily
- Do you send cards or letters to friends in regular mail? a) yes b) no c) sometimes d) only on birthdays and holidays
- If a friend hurts your feelings or upsets you you a) keep quiet and resent it b) tell them off c) ask to talk and work it out together d) gossip about them to all your other friends
- When your friend makes a mistake or does something a little embarrassing do you a) laugh at them about it every chance you get b) make up a nickname based on their mistake and call them that c) laugh if they do and then forget about it d) judge them and tell them they aren't as good as you thought
- When a friend calls you do you a) talk mostly about the things that are bothering you b) let them do all the talking since they called you c) enjoy a conversation where you both share your lives d) try to keep it as short as possible
Mostly A answers? you are just a little bit mean to your friend
Mostly B answers? you might want to think about your motivations and check the selfish part of your thinking
Mostly C answers? you are a good friend and your friendships will last
Mostly D answers? you could be more thoughtful...
One way to show our friends we like their company is to invite them to do things with us. It's called entertaining.
How Many? How Often?
- Do you like get togethers?
- What about virtual get togethers since we're sheltering in place?
- Have you ever been the host of a gathering?
- If so, what was it like? What was the occasion?
- What was the best social event you ever went to? What did you like about it?
- What do you think is the perfect number of people for a fun event?
- If you could entertain whenever you wanted to, how often would you invite people to hang out with you?
<Body Break>
Show & Share
Today show us your card or board game. Tell us why you like it and how long you've been playing.
Let's try and imagine how these games can be played in Zoom. Lots of games can still be played in Zoom even when we are in different places. Can your game be played virtually? Here are some examples:
Card games would require everyone to have a copy of the deck. Here is how some card games could work.
Old Maid, or Uno: Each person draws and shows the camera what they drew, then puts the card to the side. The next person draws from their deck and shows the camera what they drew in response.
Trivia Games just need the leader to have a trivia deck and everyone else can answer the questions. The host could show the answers to the camera to verify the scoring.
Scattegories can be done with 1 host having the word cards, or each player having their own deck and taking turns being hosts.
Drawing and guessing can be done with the white board
Board games can be two teams with one captain on each team having a copy of the board, OR a host can position and move all the pieces on the board by taking direction from the other players.
Can you brainstorm with your team and see if it's possible to play any of the games you brought today in Zoom?
Next week's Monday Show and Share will be art work that you have made over the weekend. It can be a wonderful drawing of the party you'll plan at the end of this lesson, or a picture of your neighborhood, or a self-portrait.
Social Distancing and Entertaining
We can't safely have a bunch of people over or go to restaurants right now, so we have to get creative. Here is a list of typical entertainments people like to host. How could you do them with social distancing?
- Dance party
- Dinner party
- Cocktail hour
- Game night
- Netflix binge party
- Trivia competition
- Cooking party
- Crafting party
- Holiday exchange
- Hiking outing
- Shopping excursion
- Getting a coffee together
<Body Break>
Planning a Social Distance “Gathering”
You are going to practice planning a gathering that is safe during social distancing. Here is a great tool to help you. If you got the home packet, check materials in there.
Work with presenters to plan a party. It can be for the people in your breakout room, or a pretend party for celebrities, superheroes, people from books, anything your imagination likes.
Optional Game: Buckin'ham Palace
Everyone go find a fancy hat in your house and come back to the meeting with your fancy hat on. Now everyone pretend to be guests at a very fancy party in Buckingham Palace. One of you can even pretend to be the Queen of England. The rule is you have to behave like you are at a party but you cannot laugh or giggle or crack a smile. Try to make your friends laugh but keep serious yourself. The person who lasts the longest without cracking up wins.
Planning a Traditional Gathering
It's always nice to look forward to the times when things will be better. That's how we stay motivated for the future. So let's also plan a wonderful party for when the virus is over and we can enjoy time in person again.
So imagine a grand occasion, like a major birthday, a wedding, or big anniversary and use this planning tool to inspire you to design an AMAZING party. Even imaginary parties can be fun.
Look at this planning tool as a group and have a wild time brainstorming the ultimate party.
When you're done, draw a picture of it and bring it back next Monday for Show and Share.
What Did We Learn Today?
