2020 3-5 Grades Journal 40p

dolphin thinking or alligator thinking
Dolphins are very calm and sensible in how they live.
When you are thinking in a calm and sensible way we
will call it dolphin thinking.:
you think things out considering different points of
view
your thinking is not affected by the emotions you
are feeling (called rational thinking)
you listen more than you speak.
Alligators are very angry and snappy in how they live.
When you are thinking in an angry and snappy way we
will call it alligator thinking:
you speak without thinking clearly about what is
happening
your thinking is controlled by the emotions you are
feeling (called emotional hijacking)
you think about what you will
say rather than listening.
Ask yourself often, “am I thinking like a dolphin or an alligator?”
If you feel you are using alligator thinking, use positive self-talk to change it to dolphin thinking, e.g. I can
and I will listen more and control my feelings to not let them affect my thinking.
Doing this every day will build your self-control and enable you to make good choices.
Always remember that you have two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you speak.
For the following situations describe what dolphin thinking could answer like and what alligator thinking
could answer like.
10
Situation Dolphin Thinking ANSWER Alligator Thinking ANSWER
Your parents have asked you to
clean up your room a number of
times because it is messy.
You and your friends are playing
a game at lunchtime and two
older students want to join in.
In class your teacher has asked
you to stop talking and listen
more.
Your friend has borrowed your
bike without asking you and you
want to ride it.
Some of your class is playing a
fun game at lunchtime and they
haven’t asked you to join in.
You tried hard to help new
students to fit into your school
and your friends make fun of you.
You really want to watch a TV
show but your family wants to
watch a different program.
“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Seneca