You Get What You Get . . .

and You Don't Throw A Fit!!!

 

That is a little saying that you may hear quite often while traveling through the halls at school.  It is a catchy little ditty which the children easily understand as we try to teach them about character choices.

 

I found this book last summer and decided to use it during my last class lesson with both 1st & 2nd graders. After we read the story, I have started a conversation by posing the following question to the kids:

'If you don't throw a fit at school but you throw fits at home, what is the difference; why does it happen at home and not school?'

 

Here are some of the answers that have been shared during this lesson:

 

1. I don't have to turn or flip my card at home (school-wide behavior program)

 

2.  There are no rules at home; nothing happens if I throw a fit (I am sure this isn't entirely true!!)

 

3.  I don't want to embarass myself in front of my friends*

 

4.  We don't have Friday Fun or anything fun that I will miss

 

5.  I still get to do things even after I throw a fit

6.  People are more mean at home than at school

7.  There are a lot of people at school and not at home ~ better chance at getting caught throwing a fit

8.  If you throw a fit at school, you will get into trouble in 2 places ~ home and school

9.  You are supposed to respect your teachers . . . don't really have to be that nice to your parents

10.  My parents lose their tempers, too, and throw fits at home ~ my teachers don't

 

*I am, as was the 1st grade classroom teacher, extremely impressed with this answer and found it to be quite insightful . . . take a moment to have this same conversation with your kids at home.  Please let me know if you receive different responses.