Social Emotional Learning

When I mention social emotional learning, many educators automatically begin to speak to me about SEL lessons that they teach, or a program that they use. While it is great to hear that educators are being intentional about providing direct and explicit instruction around these competencies, social emotional learning is much for than just one lesson on one day. It is much much more than a curriculum we use to support SEL skill acquisition, maintenance and transferal in the academic setting. SEL skills support life long success.

In the first edition of this newsletter, I shared a video explaining the core competencies.

Please view the info-graphic below for short definitions of each:

While we will not starting officially teaching Second Step lessons at Wakelon until October, there is already so much happening here that supports social emotional learning. Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to highlight some of the wonderful things that are already happening here.

One aspect of Capturing Kids Hearts that is an expectation for Wakelon ES staff members is greeting students at the classroom door. This practice is influential in building relationship skills for students.

In considering the practice of greeting students at the door, I would like to highlight and shout out the 1st grade team. One morning when I was walking down the first grade hallway, I noticed something that made my heart sing. I noticed Mrs. McQuage greeting one of her late students at the door. This wasn't your typical greeting, because the student had chosen to be greeted as royalty. In doing a little more research, I found out that students select their greetings and this is one of the highlights of their day. While I was only able to see this exchange with Mrs. McQuage and a student on this particular day, this appears to be normal practice for the first grade team.

HATS OFF TO YOU 1ST GRADE TEAM! THANKS FOR CAPTURING KIDS HEARTS!

First grade team greeting options below:

Here is a short video of a teacher sharing her practice of greeting students, connecting with students and checking in with them daily at the door.