Understanding my emotions helps me to be a risk-taker and to persevere.

This term Team Take Off has been learning through the transdisciplinary theme of 'Who We Are'

Who We Are:

An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human

Using the central idea of ‘Understanding my emotions helps me to be a risk-taker and to persevere’, we have been exploring the lines of inquiry:

• We can recognise feelings and why we might be feeling this way. (Causation)

• We use strategies to help us persevere when we are learning and playing. (Responsibility)

This unit began with the children watching a Youtube clip of Danny McCaskill, a Scottish mountain bike rider who performs amazing stunts and tricks. The children were amazed at the things he could do. This PROVOKED many questions from the children. Room 1 decided to email Danny and ask him some questions about how he went about becoming so clever! We are waiting to hear back from him.

The children made the connection that Danny showed the learner profile of being a Risk-taker.

The children defined a Risk-taker as someone who:

• Tries new things

• Never gives up and keeps trying

• Gives it a go even if they are nervous

• Is happy to try - has a positive attitude

• Faces their fears - is brave

The children have identified times when they have already been a risk-taker. Many children have discussed learning new skills, such as swimming in deep water, riding a bike and learning to ski or surf.

Over the next few weeks, the children will be selecting a goal to work towards mastering. They will become familiar with the ’learning pit’.

Part of facing a challenge is being aware of how, as learners, we can experience many different emotions. These emotions can be both positive and negative. The children will be learning to identify these emotions and the impact they can have on our learning. They will learn about positive self-talk, perseverance and ways to feel calm when things get frustrating.

As part of our Inquiry we have been lucky enough to visit the Life Education van where we have learnt about being a ‘risk-taker’ and discussed our emotions.