Sammy Snail - Lesley Smith

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Dear Snail Trail Friends,

Did you know that kids ask me questions after puppet shows? I tell Mr. See about it. Mr. See is so smart that he helps kids. He has A LOT to say! You can read what we talk about. You can see photos from our shows!

Your Friend, Sammy

BULLYING...

Sam: Remember how I am the star of a show called "Wizards and Knights"? The show about bullying? Well, in that show I get picked on by Lizzy. Wicked picked on! After a show at a school, I met Jane. She's 11. She asked me why Lizzy picked on me. (Because I am so nice and cute.) "Why would she do that?" Jane asked. "Yeah, like why would she!? I never did nothing ever to her," I said.

Mr. See: Sometimes children bully (Double D behavior) other children without knowing that it is dangerous and destructive. Lizzy may not realize the harm she is doing to you, Sam. Lizzy might be upset and angry about something else. Lizzy needs an adult to step in and tell her to stop.

Sam: Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Mr. See: That's why it is so important for children who are watching to help out. They can do that by asking you or some other child that is being bullied, to come play with them. They can help you go to a trusted adult to tell about the bullying.

Sam: Get me out of there, dude!

Mr. See: In the end Sam, it's up to you to go find an adult you can talk to.

Sam: Or I could tell my buddy!

Mr. See: That might make you feel better Sam, but you still have to find an adult to talk to . An adult must step in and make sure the bullying stops. Lizzy was scaring you and telling you she was going to hurt you.

Sam: She can turn into a worm for all I care.

Mr. See: It's the behavior we want to stop. We don't want to attack the person. You might even end up being friends with Lizzy.

Sam: I'm all set with that.

Mr. See: Never say never. Once Lizzy stops the dangerous and destructive behavior, we hope that she will say she is sorry and begin to show you respect.

Sam: R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Just give me a little respect! Oh yeah!

Mr. See: Find a trusted adult to make sure the bullying stops! Don't give up until you do!

Sam: We never give up.

WORKING IT OUT

Sam: This family fold me that they went to my show Peaceable Kingdom. I sang, "baby in a high chair, laboratory rat, even big fat heads and people like that." They said that the Mom, the Dad and the kids still laugh about that. I laugh too! They couldn't remember what P stood for. I told them P stands for popcorn and peanuts!

Mr. See: No Sam, It stands for Point of View. You remember "I statements" and active listening.

Sam: I know "I statements!" "I feel ____ when you_____ because____ what I want you do is________." dadadadahhhh!

Mr. See: Very good Sam! Active listening is when you repeat back what you heard the person say.

Sam: Very good Sam! Active listening is when you repeat back what...

Mr. See: Sammy!

Sam: Okay, okay.

Mr. See: CAPS came from a man named Bill Kreidler. C stands for cool off when your angry. Take a deep breath, think of a happy thought or count to 10.

Sam: A stands for applesauce! Naw, I really mean.... agree to work the problem out.

Mr. See: P stands for point of view.

Sam: And S stands for Sammy Snail!!!

Mr. See: What does S stand for Sam?

Sam: Okay, okay, okay! S stands for Silly Snails!

Mr. See: Sam!

Sam: Al right, Al right, Al right! S stands for Sneaky Snails!

Mr. See: I can see you're not going to try and help, Sneaky Snail.

Sam: S stands for solve the problem fairly so it's a win - win! Everybody has to be HAPPY!

Mr. See: Very good Sam!

You can read the script of the whole show if you want. The Peaceable Kingdom: script and even read it in spanish, Reino Tranquilo: script.

FRIENDS

Sam: I met a kid named Joey at one of the schools. He is 7 years old. He used to have a best friend named Jake. Not anymore. Jake found another best friend. Now Jake acts like he doesn't even know Joey if the other kid is there. Joey is not too happy. He's really mad. Has this ever happened to you Mr. See?

Mr. See: Yes and it's very hard. It hurts us when we want our friends to stay the same and they change.

Sam: I once had a friend that didn't want to be my friend anymore. (Besides Lizzy and her friends.) He was like a true friend. His name was Ralph. I don't know why he stopped liking me. I wouldn't have. I am really fun. I think he lost his mind.

Mr. See: It can seem that way, can't it Sam? Sometimes we say... that some friends are for a season, some for year and some for a lifetime.

Sam: I never say that.

Mr. See: Well adults do. When you look back over time, you can see that one of you changed and you were growing in different ways.

Sam: Yeah, I was growing smart and Ralph was growing....

Mr. See: Sammy! When we feel angry we know that hurt or sadness might be under that feeling of mad.

Sam: Sad comes under mad?

Mr. See: Yes. And under mad comes something we need.

Sam: I didn't need nothing from Ralph.

Mr. See: Did you need a best friend Sam?

Sam: Well, sure I did.

Mr. See: When Joey's friend Jake chose someone new to be his best friend, that might have made Joey angry. Deep down, he might have felt sad. We all need friends. I bet Joey has other friends that he could spend more time with.

Sam: Come to think of it Mr. See, after Ralph didn't want to be my friend, I met Nano and HE became my best friend! That could happen to Joey too!

Mr. See: That is what usually happens Sam! If we keep our eyes and hearts open, we find a new friendship often begins when one ends. And sometimes our old friends come back again too!

Sam: Eyes are open and I am not missing a thing!

Editors Note: Sammy and Mr. See were talking about Dangerous and Destructive behavior. This term is used to describe bullying behaviors by Open Circle: Reach out to schools social competency program at Stone Center, Wellesley College, Wellesley MA. www.opencircle.org CAPS was developed by Bill Kreidler from Educators for Social Responsibility in Cambridge MA. www.esrnational.org