Think First

Think First is the Orinda Union School District's program that builds the foundation for good character development and social and emotional intelligence in our children. Think First lessons teach children to think about their own and others' feelings, to solve problems cooperatively, and to manage their emotions in a positive way. All grades talk about bullying using age-appropriate discussion and role-play activities. In fourth and fifth grades, students also learn information about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

At Glorietta, trained parent volunteers teach Think First lessons for ten weeks between October and February. Our school district provides high-quality teaching materials produced by Committee for Children, “a nonprofit working globally to prevent bullying, violence, and child abuse.”

Anti-Bullying Curriculum
Think First volunteers throughout our school district teach anti-bullying lessons in grades 3-5. The curriculum focuses on identifying and preventing bullying, and includes many interactive elements to help students enjoy these valuable lessons—and retain their content. Volunteers will work with high-quality teaching materials, the “Steps to Respect” program, purchased by our district from Committee for Children.
Glorietta students in 1st and 2nd grade will use other books and tools to discuss bullying in an age-appropriate way. Please visit your child’s grade link to learn more.
Additional resources on bullying:

Wikipedia(definition of bullying, resources)
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' "Stop Bullying Now" site, with separate sections for kids and parents
American Academy of Pediatrics "Stop Bullying in its Tracks" article
American Academy of Pediatrics"Bullying: It's not OK" web page
Kidpower Safety Tips: Facing Bullying with Confidence web page
Wiredsafety website educates parents on monitoring their students' internet use (which can help prevent cyber bullying)
Cartoon Network's Stop Bullying Speak Up website: anti-bullying resources and tools
PACER website: National Center for Bullying Prevention
Ophelia Project: Information about relational (formerly called "girl") bullying
American Girl "Stop the Bullying" curriculum

Think First Curriculum by Grade
Wondering what your child is learning in Think First? Click your child’s grade to see curriculum details, links, posters, and more.

Kindergarten
Kindergarteners will enjoy ten lessons from the Second Step program published by Committee for Children. Using engaging puppets, songs, photo lesson cards, posters, and lots of interactive conversation, kindergarteners learn about empathy, emotion management, and problem solving. Parents receive letters explaining the curriculum—and ways to reinforce Think First lessons at home.

Watch videos showing a sample lesson and kindergarten calming down techniques.

Download and print kindergarten posters for use at home.

1st Grade
First graders will enjoy ten 1/2-hour lessons from the Second Step program published by Committee for Children. Using engaging video clips, photo lesson cards, posters, and lots of interactive conversation, first graders learn about empathy, emotion management, and problem solving.Parents receive letters explaining the curriculum—and ways to reinforce Think First lessons at home.

Watch videos showing sample lessons (note: the lessons featured are for 2nd and 4th graders).
See a sample lesson card.
Download and print posters for use at home.
What To Do When You Are Angry Poster
How To Solve Problems Poster
Calming Yourself Down Poster

First graders will learn about bullying in a gentle, age-appropriate way. Using books, scenarios, and facilitated discussion, students learn to identify bullying behavior—and use Think First calming down, problem solving, and anger management techniques to diffuse it.

2nd Grade
Second graders will enjoy ten 1/2-hour lessons from the Second Step program published by Committee for Children. Using engaging video clips, photo lesson cards, posters, and lots of interactive conversation, second graders learn about empathy, emotion management, and problem solving.Parents receive letters explaining the curriculum—and ways to reinforce Think First lessons at home.

Watch videos showing sample lessons (note: the lessons featured are for 2nd and 4th graders).
See a sample lesson card.
To view and print Second Step posters used in grades 1-5, see 1st Grade

Second graders will discuss bullying in an age-appropriate way. Using books, quizzes, and facilitated conversation, students learn to identify bullying behavior—and use Think First calming down, problem solving, and anger management techniques to diffuse it.

3rd Grade
Third graders will enjoy ten 1/2-hour lessons from the Second Step and Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) programs published by Committee for Children.Using engaging video clips, photo lesson cards, posters, games, and lots of interactive conversation, third graders expand on what they’ve learned in grades K-2 by further developing their empathy, emotion management, and problem solving skills. They also learn to identify and respond to bullying behavior through lessons that introduce the “3 Rs: Recognizing, Refusing, and Reporting bullying.” Parents receive letters explaining the curriculum—and ways to reinforce Think First lessons at home.

Watch videos showing sample Second Step and Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) lessons. (Featured lessons are for 2nd and 4th graders).
Read Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) success stories.
To view and print Second Step posters used in grades 1-5, see 1st Grade

4th Grade
Fourth graders will enjoy ten 45-minute lessons from the Second Step and Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) programs published by Committee for Children. Using engaging video clips, photo lesson cards, posters, games, and lots of interactive conversation, fourth graders expand on what they’ve learned in grades K-3 by further developing their empathy, emotion management, and problem solving skills. They also learn to identify and respond to bullying behavior through lessons that reinforce the “3 Rs: Recognizing, Refusing, and Reporting bullying.” Parents receive letters explaining the curriculum—and ways to reinforce Think First lessons at home.

Watch videos showing sample Second Step and Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) lessons. (Featured lessons are for 2nd and 4th graders).
Read Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) success stories.
To view and print Second Step posters used in grades 1-5, see 1st Grade

Additionally, fourth graders learn about substance abuse prevention during three lessons held at the end of the year. Classes discuss the harmful effects on young minds and bodies of tobacco (smoke and smokeless), alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, and improperly used over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

5th Grade
Fifth graders will enjoy ten 45-minute lessons from the Second Step and Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) programs published by Committee for Children. Using engaging video clips, photo lesson cards, posters, games, and lots of interactive conversation, fifth graders expand on what they’ve learned in grades K-4 by further developing their empathy, emotion management, and problem solving skills. They also learn to identify and respond to bullying behavior through lessons that reinforce the “3 Rs: Recognizing, Refusing, and Reporting bullying.” Parents receive letters explaining the curriculum—and ways to reinforce Think First lessons at home.

Watch videos showing sample Second Step and Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) lessons. (Featured lessons are for 2nd and 4th graders).
Read Steps to Respect (anti-bullying) success stories.
To view and print Second Step posters used in grades 1-5, see 1st Grade

Additionally, fifth graders learn about substance abuse prevention during three lessons held at the end of the year. Classes discuss the harmful effects on young minds and bodies of tobacco (smoke and smokeless), alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, and improperly used over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

Programs

Think First

Glorietta Elementary School