To foster an optimistic outlook towards life's challenges and to develop the ability to shift to an optimistic mindset. Choose and complete at least two of the small projects below.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Through a blend of introspective activities, imaginative role-playing, research, and self-reflective challenges, we aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of personal control, optimism, and the value of constructive feedback. Embracing these tasks will not only offer tangible reminders of your inherent ability to adapt and grow but also provide you with tools and insights to navigate life's adventures with positivity and determination. Engage in this journey and unveil the boundless superhero within you! 

MY HEROIC PATH

Objective: Today, we're going on a heroic adventure! We'll learn about things we can control, see why mistakes aren't so bad, and find out how being positive and trying hard makes us awesome. Parent's read the story file, "A Story about Control: Peter’s Power."

Materials Needed:

• Two large circles crafted from paper or cardboard (pre-labeled "What I Control" and "What I don't control")

• Markers

• Petite Post-it notes or paper snippets

• Adhesive tape or glue stick

• Magnifying glass toy (for a pinch of added fun, but optional)

What You'll Be Doing:

Alright young heroes, today we're going on an adventure to learn about our own superhero powers. Every superhero has challenges, and we're going to discover how to overcome them!

Control Circles Sorting Game:

Spread out the two big circles.

• Explain: "Some things in life we can change and some we can't. Like, we can choose our clothes, but we can't change the weather."

• Take a few Post-it notes. Let them write or draw things they think they can control and things they can't.

• Once they've decided, have them stick them onto the correct circle.

Mistakes are Learning Adventures: Parents ask

• "Now, who here has made a mistake before? I know I have! Did you know mistakes can help us learn?"

• Ask each child to think of a recent mistake or something they wished had gone differently. Have them draw or write it down.

• Then, with the toy magnifying glass in hand, let them examine their mistake like a detective. Discuss:

• "Was it a one-time thing or has it happened more?"

• "Was it about one little thing or many things?"

• "Could you have controlled it or not?"

Creating Our Hero Wall:

• "It's time to show off our hero journey! Let's make a big display."

• Guide the kids to arrange their control circles and mistake detective notes in a special area (a wall or large paper).

• "Look at how much we've learned about ourselves!"

Our Hero Promise:

• "Every hero has a promise or a motto. Let's make ours."

• Create your very own motto - like Peter did in the "Peter's Power" story. What is your motto and how will it help you to know what you control and what you don't?

Reflection Questions:

• What was the most surprising thing you learned about what you can control?

• What do you think a mistake is? How do you feel when you make a mistake?

• What if you saw every mistake as an opportunity?

• What's your favourite superhero power from today's adventure?

"Remember, being a hero doesn't mean being perfect. It means trying our best, learning, and always getting back up. Keep shining, young heroes!"

BREWING A CUP OF OPTIMISM

Objective: In this magical activity, you'll create a powerful tool to help you stay optimistic even when things seem gloomy. You'll brew a special Cup of TEA – Thoughts, Emotions, and Actions – potion that can chase away the pessimistic witches and brighten your perspective.

Materials Needed:

• A piece of paper.

• Markers or coloured pencils.

• Your brightest wizard imagination!

• Read the Story for inspiration (attached)

Instructions:

• Discover the Magic of TEA: TEA stands for Thoughts, Emotions, and Actions. Just like ingredients in a potion, they mix together to make us feel a certain way.

• Draw Your Potion Bottle: On your paper, sketch a big potion bottle. Split it into three parts, labeling them: "Thoughts," "Emotions," and "Actions."

• Remember a Rainy Day: Think of a time you felt down or disappointed. Got it? Now let's explore that with your wizardly skills!

• Thoughts: In the "Thoughts" part of your potion, write or draw what you were thinking during that moment. Maybe you thought, "This game is too hard," or "I can't do that."

• Emotions: Move to the "Emotions" section. How did those thoughts make you feel? Sad? Frustrated? Angry? Embarased? Draw faces or write words to show these feelings.

• Actions: In the "Actions" space, remember what you did. Maybe you stopped playing or felt like giving up or acted in a way you regret.

• Wave Your Magic Wand: Let's magically turn those thoughts around! Instead of, "This game is too hard," how about, "I'll get better with more practice!" Or "I can't do it, yet." Write or draw this new thought in the "Thoughts" section.

• See the Magic Work: With this new thought, how would you feel? Happier? More hopeful? Optimistic? Update the "Emotions" section with this magical transformation.

• Choose Your Adventure: Now, imagine what you'd do with these new, brighter feelings. Would you give the game another shot? Create a plan to practice more? Write or draw this in the "Actions" section.

• Celebrate Your Wizardry: You've just brewed your Optimism TEA! With this potion by your side, even cloudy days can become adventures that lead to sunnier days.

• Secret Wizard Wisdom: Always remember: It's not just what happens, but how you think about it that shapes how you feel. With your magical TEA, you have the power to choose optimism! And, sometimes your thoughts can shift when you take action, which then influence how you feel! Like when I feel down and don't feel like doing anything but I go for a walk anyway, the action can influence your feelings the same way feelings can influence action. Neat, eh?

• Share Your Magical Adventure: We would love to hear about a time when you used your TEA potion to transform a gloomy day into an adventure that lead to a sunnier place. Here’s how you can tell your story:

  • ​Describe the Moment: What happened that made you feel a little down or disappointed?

  • ​Using the TEA Potion:

  • Thoughts: Tell us the first thoughts that bubbled up in your mind. Then, let us know how you turned those thoughts around with a sprinkle of optimism!

  • Emotions: With your transformed thoughts, how did your feelings change? From stormy clouds to rainbows, let us know how you felt.

  • Actions: And finally, how did your brightened feelings inspire a new action or response from you?
     

The Magical Outcome: With the power of your TEA potion, how did your day transform? Did you make a new friend? Did you try something challenging again with an optimistic spirit?

FEEDBACK TREASURE HUNT

Objective: Embark on the Feedback Treasure Hunt Adventure and discover that feedback is full of valuable treasures! Learn to distinguish between feedback that highlights what you're already doing wonderfully (to continue doing) and feedback that points to where you can grow (what to work on). Embrace every step in the journey of incremental growth.

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Materials Needed:

A blank notebook or several sheets of paper for each participant.
Colourful markers or coloured pencils.
Optional: Stickers or small prizes for "treasure" discoveries.

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• Choose Your Quest: Every adventure starts with a destination in mind. Think of an area in your life where you’d like to gather feedback. This could be school, a hobby, a sport, or even understanding how to be a better team player or friend.

• Draft Your Adventure Map: In your notebook, draw a map of your chosen quest. Create a path that leads to a grand “Feedback Treasure Chest” at the end. Add obstacles, challenges, and checkpoints along the way – these will represent the feedback you gather!

• Quest Questions: As you prepare to embark, think of specific questions to ask. These questions will be your guiding stars, leading you to the feedback treasures. Examples:

  • "How can I be more helpful during group projects?"

  • "What can I practice to improve my jump shot in basketball?"

  • "What makes a good friend, and how can I be one?"

• Set Sail & Gather Feedback: Now, with questions in hand, start your journey! Ask your teachers, friends, family, or coaches for feedback based on your questions. Remember, you're a brave adventurer seeking valuable treasures!

• Deciphering the Treasure: As you gather feedback, you'll find two types of treasures:

• Golden Coins (Positive Feedback): These represent what you're doing well and should keep doing. Add these to your path on the map!

• Diamonds (Constructive Feedback): These precious stones symbolize areas where you can grow and improve. Just like diamonds require pressure and polishing to shine, these feedback areas might need extra effort and refinement. Place them on your map near obstacles or challenges. 

• Work makes your diamonds Shine: For every raw diamond (constructive feedback), think about how to make it shine. Just as diamonds need pressure (the work), you need effort and action to make feedback count.

• Store Your Treasures: Every piece of feedback you receive is a treasure! Store these in your Feedback Treasure Chest. Over time, this chest will become a trove of insights and growth pointers.

• Navigate Challenges: Using the feedback diamonds, think of how you can overcome challenges and obstacles on your story map. Every diamond is an opportunity for growth!

• Share Your Discoveries: Once you've navigated your map story and reached the Feedback Treasure Chest, share your adventures with fellow treasure hunters (read them your story). Discuss the feedback treasures you've discovered and the steps you'll take based on them.

• Celebrate & Prepare for the Next Quest: Revel in your discoveries! And remember, the seas of feedback are vast, offering endless adventures. Whenever you're ready for a new quest, just pick a new area and embark on another Feedback Treasure Hunt!

Ahoy there, brave explorer! Every day presents new seas to sail and treasures to find. By seeking feedback, you're choosing to grow and learn. Keep your map story and chest close, for countless adventures await! Ready to set sail on your next quest? Anchor’s up! 

DEBRIEF: PARENT GUID

Parents, please take some time and discuss with your child what they learned from this weeks challenges. Below is a document that can help you debrief with your child as you help them reflect on what they learned from their experiences.