English

Oral Language K.1, K.2, K.3, 1.1, 1.2, 2.3

Reading/Literature K.8, 1.7, 1.9, 2.7, 2.8

Writing 1.12, 2.11

History/Social Science

Civics K.8, 1.10, 2.10

EC.1: Self-description

EC.2: Responsible behavior

EC.3: Ways to work with others

ATFRC

ATFRC (Action, Thoughts, Feelings, Reaction, Consequences) is a tool to help students think through an incident or event. As an action takes place, a person has thoughts about what happened and experiences feelings that correspond to those thoughts. This becomes the foundation for a reaction to the perceived situation, which then precipitates consequences. The ATFRC tool helps students analyze and resolve conflict by charting thoughts, emotions, and behavior and suggesting alternatives.

Example:

After reading or listening to Yertle the Turtle, the class creates an ATFRC graphic organizer that charts an alternative solution to a problem.

Action: Yertle surveys his kingdom.

Thought: My kingdom is too small. I’m ruler of all I can see, but I can’t see far enough.

Feeling: Yertle is frustrated and angry.

Reaction: Yertle orders all turtles to make a stack so he can climb up and see a great distance all around.

Consequence: The stack falls, Yertle gets stuck in the mud, and no one cares.

Children may come up with a suggested alternative such as the following:

Action: Yertle surveys his kingdom.

Thought: I’m ruler of all I can see.

Feelings: Yertle is satisfied.

Reaction: Yertle declares a holiday.

Consequence: All the turtles are happy.

After using the model, students can apply it to other situations throughout the year.

Resources

Dr. Seuss. Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories. New York: Random House, 1958.

CivicQuest. Learning Leadership: A Curriculum Guide for a New Generation Grades K-12. A Joint Project of the Center for Political Leadership and Participation, University of Maryland at College Park, and John F. Kennedy High School. Silver Spring, MD, 1996.