Social Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. - Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

The five competencies are: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, Relationship skills and Responsible decision making https://casel.org/what-is-sel/

Our student body has been participating in social-emotional learning lessons and activities through multiple curriculum resources. The lessons include the topics of Respectfulness, Caring Behaviors, and Inclusiveness. We have also used Kelso's choices to discuss how to solve conflict in peaceful and proactive ways.

Additionally, as part of the counseling program, in our class lessons, we discuss our Virtue of the Month and ways we show virtues through our behaviors and notice the virtues in others.

In fourth through fifth grade, many of our lessons include role-playing ways to manage tough situations. We discuss concepts that help prepare students for middle school such as self-esteem, peer conflict, friendship-building tools and techniques, and relational aggression.

Below our some free resources with social-emotional learning activities to continue these skills at home.

Books from Trudy Ludwig such as those below are available discuss the ideas of social-emotional health and wellness, especially as it relates to peer relationships :

• Better Than You

• Confessions of a
  Former Bully

• Gifts from the Enemy

• The Invisible Boy

• Just Kidding

• My Secret Bully

• Sorry!

• Too Perfect

• Trouble Talk

Kelso's Choices: a conflict management curriculum to teach students peacemaking skills.