SEL/APL

September SEL/APL Focus:

Our school participates in Second Step curriculum to encourage children’s social and emotional development. During the month of September, the children will meet our Second Step puppets (Sarah and Matthew) and focus on building relationships with their new classmates!

October SEL/APL Focus:

This month, we will focus on Skills for Learning as we continue to adjust to our new classroom, new friends and new routines. We will focus on building relationships, engaging socially and cooperating in play and learning!

November SEL/APL Focus:

In our Second Step curriculum this month, our unit focus will be on empathy. We will work on building strategies to recognize diversity and demonstrate respect for others. Children will also learn new skills to demonstrate initiative, self-direction and independence.

December SEL/APL Focus:

In Second Step this month, we will continue using our puppets and large picture cards to talk about Empathy. We will focus on being able to recognize, identify and express our emotions, as well as displaying empathetic characteristics towards others.

January SEL/APL Focus:

In our Second Step curriculum this month, we will be talking about Emotion Management. We will use our puppets and picture cards to help build an understanding of personal and social responsibility, as well as to develop our ability to reflect on and evaluate the results of our actions and decisions.

February SEL/APL Focus:

In our Second Step curriculum this month, we will continue our discussions about Emotion Management. The children love talking with our puppets about the picture cards that depict a variety of scenarios, including how to handle situations that make us feel nervous, frustrated, sad, etc.

March SEL/APL Focus:

In Second Step this month, our focus will be on Friendship Skills and Problem Solving. We will continue to use our picture cards and puppets to talk about how to seek and offer help, communicate with others in a variety of ways and seek multiple solutions to a problem, task or question.

April SEL/APL Focus:

In Second Step this month, we will continue our unit on Friendship Skills and Problem Solving. Along with our puppets, children will talk through a variety of scenarios depicted on our Second Step cards, such as how to join friends in play, handle frustration and ask for help.

May SEL/APL Focus:

In Second Step this month, we will use our picture cards and puppets to talk about problems and solutions. Children will learn how to name specific problems they may encounter, brainstorm ways in which those problems can be solved, and also how to use an assertive voice when necessary.

June SEL/APL Focus:

In our Second Step curriculum this month, we will focus on Transitioning. We will use our picture cards and puppets to talk about transitioning to a new classroom, meeting new friends, learning new routines and expectations and having new learning experiences!

Joy Yoga!

On Friday Nov. 15 and Wed Nov. 20 Joy forn Joy Yoga came to our school and taught us about calm breathing, relaxation, and yoga poses that help us to be calm and focus our attention. We sang some songs and participated in some great activities. Check out the pictures to see some of the fun we had!

Mindfulness and Yoga

We have been learning to be mindful by taking a few minutes to close our eyes and try to be calm and in the moment. The teachers ring a chime and as the children listen to the ringing they close their eyes , take a deep breathe and then think of something that has to do with a question asked. For example: your favorite color. Once the chime stops ringing everyone opens their eyes and then we begin our sharing circle. "Pluto" from Disney is our talking piece. When you hold Pluto it is your turn to talk/ share while everyone else listens. Then he is passed around so everyone has a chance to share.

• Recently we have been sharing things like our favorite colors, foods, and what we are going to be for Halloween. As time goes on the hope is that we will be able to share about our feelings now that we are getting used to the fomat of the sharing circle.

We have also learned a few yoga poses. The poses we have learned and are practicing are :

• New poses we have learned and practice are : Mountain pose, water fall, and cat pose .Ask your child if they can show you these poses!
• We also practice the alligator breath, blow out the candle and the super hero breathes to help us calm our bodies.

Yoga is a great way to relax, stretch and take deep breathes to help center yourself and calm your body.

Second Step and SEL/APL

Unit 2 November & December

EMPATHY

SEL 1 : The Child will be able to recognize, identify, and express his/her emotions.

SEL 5: The child will display empathetic characteristics.

SEL 6 : The child will recognize diversity and demonstrate respect for others

APL 1 : The child will demonstrate initiative, self -direction, and independence.