How many of you can't wait to go home every day and do your home work?
How many of you wish that you could have MORE homework every night?
We are about to make your dreams come true...your Specials teachers are going to assign you a homework assignment!
The Let Grow project is the greatest homework assignment that you will ever get. In this assignment we are going to ask you to do something hard...something that may be a little uncomfortable, a little prickly even...and something that will change your life FOREVER!
How? That's a great question.
Everything I need to know I learned from "Bluey"...
Here's a quick look at Bluey Season 1, Episode 11, "Bike." We will watch the entire episode in school. If you are able to watch the entire episode at home it is highly recommended. It shows just how trying, and failing is a normal part of learning and growing and that adults do not always have to come to our rescue. We can do it all by ourselves!
But, hey, I still don't get it!
Of course you don't...that's why we are here to explain it to you!
According to the people who created "Let Grow" the project is simple. Just "go home and do something new, on your own. Climb a tree, run an errand, make a meal...the choices are ENDLESS!" And the best part is you'll feel the impact of your endeavors, or attempts, immediately.
Here are some stories to help you to start thinking about what you might be able to do by yourself.
Kindergarten and First
Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth
Try this!
Kindergarten, first and Second
Third, Fourth, and Fifth
Turn and talk...
What are you afraid to try by yourself? Why? What are you excited to try by yourself? Are you worried you won't be able to do it?
So just what is the homework assignment?
You will be taking home a letter for you and your family today. Inside this letter is an explanation of the "Let Grow" project, some ideas of what you can try like: Increase Your Responsibility:
Play in the yard alone
Get out of the car in the car line on your own
Walk the dog
Feed your pet
Wait at the bus stop
Get yourself ready for school
Wash the car
Weed the lawn/garden
Help fold your laundry
Put away your own laundry
Learn how to tie your shoes
Pick out your school clothes the night before
Button your shirt on your own
Unpack your backpack and share important information with your family
Brush and style your own hair
Brush your teeth without being told
Lock up the house for the night
Walk to a nearby store to buy something
Watch your younger sibling
Help Others:
Visit a neighbor
Help a neighbor
Clean up in your community
Text or email someone special telling them why you appreciate them
Write a letter and mail it
Write a thank-you note and deliver it
Saw or cut branches off a bush
Collect cans/ bottles in the neighborhood for recycling
Run an errand for your family
Practice your instrument outside for neighbors
Mow your lawn
Fun With Friends:
Do something with your brother or sister outside
Make up an outdoor game
Teach an outdoor game to a friend
Make a lemonade stand
Play at the park
Attend a sleepover
Plan a visit to a friend’s home on your own
Explore the woods
Ride your bike in the neighborhood or at a park
Build, Cook, and Create:
Pack your own lunch
Plant some flowers or vegetables
Make your own breakfast
Make and clean up a fort
Make your own sandwich
Make lunch for someone else
Make Jell-o
Make a surprise craft for your grown-up
Use scissors to make an art project
Hammer nails into wood
Make your own pizza
Build something you can use
Bake cookies or a cake
Assemble your own kite and fly it
Bake cookies after buying the ingredients at the store
Challenge Yourself:
Scooter on the sidewalk
Climb a tree
Buy something at a store or restaurant
Light the candles on a birthday cake
Use a knife to cut food
Learn to ride a bike
Memorize your address and phone number(s)
Spend some time at the library
Run into a store to buy something while your parent waits in the car
Walk to a friend or relatives house
Or you and your adult can come up with something all on your own.
After you do something new BY YOURSELF fill out the Cactus. It asks for your name, what you did, and how it made you feel. Kindergarten and First graders can draw a picture. Second through 5th grader should write what they did. We're asking your parents to do some homework too! Have them fill out the included cactus flower and tell us how they felt watching you try something new on your own. Return the cactus and the cactus flower to school and we will add it to our "Let Grow" desert. Its empty and barren right now, but with your help we can make it alive and beautiful. You'll be able to watch our desert flourish and see how all of your friends did something new for themselves too.