Mr. Potato Head Dresses for Success

It is Career month at my school.  We typically focus on Careers through Classroom Guidance and conclude the focus with a Career Week where we have a Dress-up Day, Vehicle Day for the younger students, and Career Speaker Day for the older students.  This year I made an interactive bulletin board to get the kids thinking about career exploration.

I'm not sure how many Potato Heads I have around my house, but I got to thinking...I love how Mr. Potato Head has increased his wardrobe over the years.  I think of the many different hair pieces and accessories we have such as Pirate Potato Head or Spider Spud.  We just may have more Potato outfits than Barbie outfits!












As I pondered about playing with Mr. Potato Head, I came up with an interactive, dress Mr. Potato Head in a Career Outfit Bulletin Board!

I started by cutting out a basic Mr. Potato Head figure out of brown construction paper.  I just drew these free hand. Then I cut out the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, mustache and hands and attached them all to the Potato body.  Next I cut out three different pairs of boots - brown, black, and white; as well as, one pair of flippers.  I decided to dress Mr. Potato Head with different career hats.  Each career also has one tool that they use.  For instance you could dress Mr. Potato Head as a Magician by giving him a top hat and a magic wand.

I made three suitcases and labeled them: Work Hats, Work Tools, and Work Boots.  After having all the pieces laminated, I attached velcro dots to the back of the individual pieces and stored them in their appropriate suitcase.  Now Mr. Potato Head has interchangeable career outfits! I came up with the following Career Hats and Career Tools/Hand-held objects:

1. Astronaut - Space Helmet with microphone and a Walkie Talkie
2. Chef - Chef Hat and a Pie
3. Scuba Diver - Scuba Mask and Snorkle
4. Detective - Shirlock Holmes Hat and a Magnifying Glass
5. Magician - Top Hat and a Wand
6. Construction Worker - Hard Hat and a Hammer
7. Police Officer - Police Cap and Handcuffs
8. Doctor - Medical Headlight and a Medical Bag
9. Mail Man - Mail Man Hat and a Letter to Mrs. Potato Head
10. Plumber - Plumber Cap and Plunger
11. Fireman - Fireman Helmet and a Hose

As soon as the kids saw my new bulletin board, they swarmed it like a hive of bees!

I'm hoping it doesn't get torn up or I might just have to quote Mrs. Potato Head,

 "Don't make me get out my angry eyes!" 

Empower Students to be a Victim: Stand Up to Bullies & Stick It to Bullying

Hey there, teachers and parents! Today, we’re going to Stick it to Bullying! As adults who don’t want to see our kids bullied, it's our duty to equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle this issue head-on. We'll explore what bullying really is, the different ways it can show up, and most importantly, what our students can do if they find themselves or others in the line of fire. 

Understanding Bullying:

Okay, let's break it down. Bullying happens when someone repeatedly picks on or hurts another person, and there's an IMBALANCE OF POWER. It's not just a one-time thing; it's a PATTERN of behavior that can take different forms. There are many types of bullying: however, not to overwhelm our young students, I focus on 3 main types seen in our schools. You got physical bullying, which is all about being physically aggressive like hitting or pushing. Then there's verbal bullying, where mean words and insults are flung around. Last but not least, we have emotional bullying, where others use exclusion, manipulation, or even cyberbullying through social media and texts to cause harm. 

Empowering Students:

Now that we know what bullying is, let's talk about how we can empower our student superstars to take action against it. Here are some steps they can take:

Spotting Bullying: We want our students to be able to recognize bullying when they see it. So let's chat with them about different scenarios and examples to help them understand the difference between harmless teasing and harmful behavior.

Speak Up and Reach Out: We want our students to know that they don't have to face bullying alone. Encourage them to reach out to trusted adults like teachers, parents, or school counselors. Ask them who is YOUR trusted adult? Remind them that support is just a conversation away!!!

Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander: We all have the power to make a difference. Encourage our students to stand up against bullying when they witness it. They can directly intervene or find an adult who can help. Practice and rehearse common situations they might find themselves in. Let's show them that their actions can change lives!

An Activity that Sticks: "Stick it to Bullies" Bumper Stickers

Share the Purpose: Talk to the students about why it's so important to take a stand against bullying. Get them thinking about powerful messages they'd like to share. 

Get Artsy: Gather up some art supplies like paper, markers, colored pencils, and stickers. Let the students unleash their creativity and design bumper stickers that catch the eye and spread awareness.

Show and Tell: Give everyone a chance to share their designs with the class. Encourage them to explain the meaning behind their creations and foster empathy and understanding. Then, let them proudly display their bumper stickers in the classroom or school hallways to spread the word.

                       

Teaching our students about bullying and empowering them to make a difference is a game-changer. Remember, we're all in this together, and every student can make a difference. Let's create a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect that goes beyond the classroom walls. So, let's stand tall, ”Stick it to Bullies," and build a brighter future where bullying has no place. Together, we've got this!

Ready to Use Resource:

Get ready to unleash your inner superhero and safeguard the digital world for our young champions! Shop here for this resource:

Looking for more lessons on Personal Safety? Check out this one: