Each week, intermediate cohorts met in the gym with Ms. Ludwig to focus on gaining awareness of and normalizing big, difficult emotions.  We used literature and videos in wonderfully gentle ways to take steps toward banishing the stigma around mental illness.  As we unpacked emotions and difficult situaitons that we all encounter, we gathered helpful tools to manage and created little personal books called "My Coping Stategies" for our learners to use for support.

Books we read:

My Heart 

by Corinna Luyken

From the author-illustrator of The Book of Mistakes comes a gorgeous picture book about caring for your own heart and living with kindness and empathy.

My heart is a window. My heart is a slide. My heart can be closed...or opened up wide.

Some days your heart is a puddle or a fence to keep the world out. But some days it is wide open to the love that surrounds you.

With lyrical text and breathtaking art, My Heart empowers all readers to listen to the guide within in this ode to love and self-acceptance.

Sometimes When I’m Sad

by Deborah Serani  and Kyra Teis (Illustrations)

(2020) Readers' Favorite Book Awards - Finalist
Children's Picture Book

(2020) International Book Awards - Finalist
Children's Hardcover Fiction

A sensitive and supportive story to help young children recognize and cope with sadness.

“Now when I get sad, I still cry sometimes. I still hide sometimes. But only for a little while. Because now I know ways to feel better.” Sadness can be an overwhelming emotion, especially for young children. But it’s important to know when sadness can be overcome, and when it’s indicative of a greater problem.