Second and third graders are full of wonder and coming into their own identities. These elementary years are full of questions about how the world works. Our curriculum pulls from the research-based Second Step lessons, focusing on emotional-processing skills and relationship building. We also have a beautiful assortment of SEL related picture books to provide opportunities for children to learn and explore themselves and others. 

SEL "Choice Time" will be embedded in every class. This is a time where students will get to choose from a variety of self care strategies such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, sensory activities, and much more.  We are hoping this will encourage students to build a "toolkit" of strategies to care for themselves inside and outside of school. 

Here's a general outline of topics we will cover this year:

1. Skills for Learning

• Focusing our Attention

• Listening to adults and peers​​

• Consent/Respecting Bodies + Boundaries

• Mindfulness

2. Empathy

• Understanding Feelings in Ourselves and Others

• Feelings that Change

• Showing Care and Concern

3. Managing Emotions

• Handling Stress: Mindfulness + Yoga

• Managing Embarrassment + Mistakes

• Tools for Calming Anxiety

4. Problem Solving

• Taking Responsibility

• Playing Fairly

• Upstanders + Bystanders

5. Our Brains, Our Bodies

• Growth Mindset

• Goal Setting

• Our Strengths