Cool+Tools

= Volume Control = Goal: The students will understand how different volume / voice levels are needed for various environments.

1. Counting from 1-10, have students say a word or phrases (Hi, I love summer!, Wildcats!, etc) starting very soft then getting louder and louder. 2. As a class, discuss what volume level is appropriate for various setting such as class, hallways, LMC, etc. 3. Throughout the year, if the volume level is too loud in class, remind them to speak at a "3" or "2" (per class agreement)

= **Responsibility Activity** = Goal: Students brainstorm ideas regarding what they have control of / are responsible in school.

Materials: Pencil and notebook paper or construction paper

1. Divide students into groups of 4 2. Have each group agree on a definition for “RESPONSIBILITY”. 3. Share the following definition with class: "the state or fact of being responsible: reliability/dependability; answerable/accountable" 4. Ask the students to brainstorm ways they can show responsibility at school. If time permits, have groups brainstorm ways resonsibility transfers into home and community. 5. Have each group share what they thing are the top three ideas. 6. Follow up questions for class discussion: "What responsibilities did you hear more than once?", "What responsibility is most important for middle schoolers to follow?", "How can teachers / the school help students be more responsible?"

= Personal Space (can be done in 5 minutes) = Goal: To respect each other's personal space while moving around in the classroom or in the hall. AND Understand how we are different sizes and that some people require more personal space than others.

Materials: Bubbles (standard, with wand)

1. Ask students the following while they look at blown bubbles: a) What do they notice about the size of the bubbles? (Different sizes). b) What happens when we get too close and touch a bubble? (The bubble pops). c) Relate how we are different sizes too and that when others get too close to us it may lead us to become angry or upset if our “bubble” (personal space) is popped. d) Brainstorm ways to show respect for your own personal space and the personal space of others.

= PBIS Expectations Puzzle = Goal: The students will understand how "Be ready, Be Respectful, Be responsible" looks in various school settings.

1. Divide students into groups 3 groups. 2. Give each group one of the categories (Be Ready, Be Responsible, Be Respectful). Have them sort the expectations based on the location of the desired behavior.. 3. Each group is to place the expectations into the correct category on the blank grid. 4. Share answer key when finished. Discuss how these expectation will lead to a better learning environment.


 * Modification - if you need to save time, have each group work on only one setting. Remember to divide the expectations ahead of time by group.