Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. In May 2018, acknowledging the importance of all children having quality SEL opportunities, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released a list of Social and Emotional Learning Competencies. The SEL Competencies serve as grade-specific benchmarks, allowing educators to monitor a student’s skill set in areas specific to their pro-social development.
Rich SEL skill development is essential for personal, academic, and social success for all ages, and is connected to healthy relationships, mental wellness, and career success. The ability to manage emotions, control impulsivity, focus attention, respect self and others, make responsible choices, and engage with communities prepares students for college, career and life success. When students and adults apply these skills, we create environments that keep our kids healthy, safe, supported, and encouraged in school every day.
To help foster this type of environment in our school, and to ensure SEL is being thread throughout your child’s school day, we’ve chosen a curriculum tool to teach the primary traits associated with high-quality SEL. The program is called PurposeFULL People by Character Strong, and will provide the opportunity for your child’s teacher to weave character education into the daily fabric of everything they already do in their classroom each day.
Throughout the year, your child will be taught 10 character traits to enhance their SEL experience here at MP/Q; they’ll be learning about empathy, responsibility, gratitude, respect, cooperation, kindness, honesty, perseverance, courage, and creativity. Classroom teachers will front-load SEL instruction, introducing one character trait per day, over the course of two weeks in September. Then, teachers will be rotating through cycles of the traits, focusing in on one trait per week, in more depth. As part of the PurposeFULL People program, students will have the opportunity to partake in a number of meaningful activities and discussions each day with their classmates. The goal is to ultimately strengthen their connections with others, enhance their personal development, and allow them to engage in their learning in a way that puts abstract values into meaningful practice.
Small Group Social and Emotional Learning Support
Small group experiences have always proven to be a valuable part of the comprehensive school counseling programming, here at MP/Q. If you feel your child may be in need of some additional support, a small group opportunity may be beneficial to them. Groups include social skill topics like impulse control, self-esteem, growth mindset, positive peer relationships, etc. Your child’s teacher may recommend that they participate in a small group counseling experience, in which case you’d be notified of their recommendation. Likewise, you may reach out to me if you feel your child could benefit from being part of a small group.
Individual Counseling
A one-on-one counseling opportunity is a great support to a student who may be experiencing circumstances that seem to be negatively impacting their learning here at school. While counseling at school cannot replace ongoing, consistently-scheduled therapy appointments with a licensed clinical mental health provider, it can be valuable for managing those unforeseen situations that may arise affecting the wellbeing of your child. There are lots of reasons a child may benefit from individual counseling time, and it can often prove to be an effective tool to supplement their existing support network. As with small groups, your child’s teacher may recognize the need for this kind of support, or you may reach out to inquire about the option.
Whole-Class Lessons
As part of the comprehensive school counseling program, students also have whole-class social and emotional lessons each year, too! Your child will have eight lessons (one per month from October to May), building on their existing knowledge of the PurposeFULL People curriculum, as well as exploring other Social and Emotional Learning topics. The hope of these lessons is to strengthen their classroom community, enhance their emotional intelligence, and build upon and deepen the foundation their classroom teacher is already creating!
Amanda Eake
email
(920)748-4695 ext. 5107
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