Social and emotional learning allows children to develop self-regulation, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. Children must be able to self manage, become socially aware, build relationships, and make responsible decision to be successful in school, work, and life. Many assume that these social and emotional skills are less important than academic skills such as reading and math, but that is not the case. These interpersonal skills are just as important as their academic skills. Without the ability to self-regulate, make responsible decisions, and maintain relationships, students will not be able to succeed academically. Not only do these skills help students academically, but they also help them socially. Children that experience social and emotional learning are less likely to be bullied due to the fact that they will be able to make more friends. They will have the social and emotional skills needed to maintain friendships. Studies show that 83% of students that have gone through an SEL program improved academically. 11% of students have average gains academically, and 11% of students have a higher GPA.
There are many, many strategies to be used to develop students’ social and emotional learning. For Kindergarten, “All About Me” activities, a home living, center, and emotion matching games are great to develop those interpersonal and self-regulation skills. After moving into first grade, you may want to add a read aloud such as “The Pigeon Has Feelings Too” by Mo Willems.
Social and Emotional Learning has “Five Guiding
Principles,”
1.Create
2.Integrate
3.Communicate
4.Instruct
5.Empower
Within my classroom, read alouds will play a major role in my students’ social and emotional learning. Read alouds are great across all grade levels, even the older students. My focus will be on building a community within my classroom with ample opportunities for teamwork and collaboration. I will also encourage positive self-talk and mindfulness through hands-on crafts and activities. For older students, I will provide journals in which they have the freedom to write about whatever they desire with confidence that their work will remain personal and confidential, unless they feel the need to share. Children of all ages need to develop their social and emotional learning inside and outside of the classroom, and I intend on becoming a teacher that holds SEL to a high standard in my classroom.
Book Title: "Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story"Author: Tomie dePaolaIllustrator: Tomie dePaolaPublisher: Puffin Books, Copyright 2004Number of pages: 40Genre: Traditional Literature
Much like our American Cinderella, a beautiful young girl named Adelita lives with her evil stepmother and stepsisters. There is a young Prince, Javier, that is in search of a wife. Adelita loses her rebozo - shawl - while rushing out of the fiesta at midnight, and this is the only clue that can can help the young Prince find the beautiful Adelita! This is a beautiful Mexican twist on the popular fairy tale we call Cinderella.
dePaola does an exquisite job with the paintings in this story. He really showcases the folk art of Mexico.
Grade Level: KContent Area: 6 ) Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.Examples: celebrations, food, traditions
I would do a comparison of both stories, American and Hispanic, of Cinderella. The students could talk about things that are the same and things that are different. This would take quite a bit of prompting from the teacher, but I believe that the kids would enjoy it. This would especially help you connect with your ELL's in the classroom.
Book Title: "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" Author: Jon Scieszka Illustrator: Lane Smith Publisher: Puffin Books, Copyright 1996 Number of pages: 32 Genre: Traditional Literature
Just when you think you know the story of the three little pigs...you don't. "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" is a comical twist on the original fairy tale often told to young children. This particular version is told from the wolf's point of view. It turns out that those three little pigs may not be as innocent as we thought!
The illustrations are very simple and maybe even a little wacky, but they do an awesome job telling the story.
Grade level:1st Content Area: ELA Standard: 2) Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. [RL.1.2]
I chose to use this book with 1st grade because I saw it done in my practicum classroom this semester. I would read the story aloud and then use it for a retell. The students would be able to use retell cards, sticks, or even digital storytelling apps.
Poem Title: "Dust of Snow" Author: Robert Frost Illustrator: N/A Publisher: London Mercury, Copyright 1020 (Original) Number of pages: 1 Genre: Poetry
"The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued."
Grade level: 5th Content Area: ELA Standard: 20) Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words [RF.5.3]
a. Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context. [RF.5.3a]
I would use this for 5th grade as a reading activity. I would introduce the new vocabulary word, "rued," read the poem aloud using different modes of reading (i.e. choral reading and partner reading), and follow up with a class discussion. I would be able to hear them read aloud and listen for fluency in their reading.
Poem Title: "Twas The Night Before Christmas" Author: Clement C. Moore Illustrator: Elena Almazova & Vitaly Shvarov Publisher: Grafton and Scratch Publishers, Copyright 2013 (Reprint edition) Number of pages: 32 Genre: Poetry
"Twas the night before Christmas and all throughout the house.." is a classic children's poem about the excitement of Santa making his visits on Christmas Eve night. This is a 21st century edition that is made a little more child friendly for today's young readers.
The illustrations are so much fun and inviting! Almazova and Shvarov did an amazing job providing the pictures for this 21st century version of a very old, but classic children's poem.
Grade level: 2nd Content Area: ELA (Writing) Standard: 24) Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure. [W.2.3]
I would read this with 2nd grade as a read aloud. I wouldthen have them write their own poem about the night before Christmas in their own house. This would allow them to get creative in their writing and practice creating poetry of their own.
