Being a Social Detective!

First Grade Classroom Curriculum:
Being A Social Detective

     Mrs. MacKinnon and I are currently teaching our First graders the social thinking curriculum based on Michele Garcia Winner's curriculum called, "You are a Social Detective: Explaining Social Thinking to  Kids".

      You may be asking "What is social thinking?" In a nutshell, social thinking is understanding that people around us have thoughts and feelings based on what expected or unexpected behaviors we demonstrate throughout the course of the day. Based on this understanding, the more expected behaviors you use, the more others will want to be with you and develop friendships with you. So, what does this really mean?  Let's start with some definitions.

     Expected behaviors are the things we do and say that give people good thoughts about us and that also make them feel good. The way you are expected to behave in various social settings can differ, based on whom you are with and where you are. For example, we act differently when we are in library (quiet/whispering voice, calm body, walking feet) than when we are at a barbecue (normal/outside voice, animated body). 
     Unexpected behaviors, conversely, are things we do and say that give people uncomfortable thoughts about us and that can make them feel unhappy, mad or sad. Again, unexpected behaviors can differ based on whom you are with and where you are. For example, having expected recess behaviors--running, yelling--in a library, would be considered unexpected.
     A Social Detective is someone who uses their tools--eyes, ears, and what they know in their brains--to figure out what is happening in a situation and to make a smart guess what will happen next, or what they should do next.

One of the concepts that we have started teaching and talking about in our lessons is called "Thinking With Your Eyes".  Thinking with your eyes means that you are using your eyes to look at others, which not only makes them feel good, but it also lets them know that you are thinking about them. In addition, when we "think with our eyes", we can use them, along with our brain, to figure out what is expected or what can happen next. 

A game that we play to teach this concept involves using a ball.  The class sits in a circle facing each other and are told that they will be able to roll the ball to someone. However, in this game, their voices are off. The only way that they can roll the ball is if they make eye contact with someone across from them. They will need to "use their eyes" to think about a person and then to pass the ball to that person. Some interesting questions come up during this game, such as "What if the person you want to pass it to isn't looking at you?" All of this leads to the discussion of the importance of eye contact and using your eyes to figure out what to do in all situations and places.

Other games that teach the importance of using your eyes for thinking are:

• Guess what I'm looking at?---Look at an item or person in the room and have others guess what they are looking at and thinking about.
• What's my plan?--Pretend that you are going to pick something up, but don't complete the action. Then have the others guess what you are doing and about to do next. Other examples included reaching for crayons/markers, sitting in a chair, or putting a coat on a chair. These examples can lead to discussions on what to do if you see someone reaching for the same crayon or chair that you want and deciding which expected  behaviors do you choose to do next.

In the coming lessons, the classes will learn more about smart/wacky guesses as well as the expected behaviors in both game playing and conversations. Stay tuned for our next blog post describing our class activities when learning about these concepts!

Here are some additional links and information about the Social Thinking curriculum:

Michelle Garcia Winner's social thinking website

IPad game that teaches social thinking concepts

Pinterest activities and information