Assignment 3A-Understanding Social and Emotional Learning (1)
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
600
Subject
Communications
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
10
Uploaded by ChancellorHeat917
Assignment 3A – Understanding Social and Emotional
Learning
Introduction
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing students’ social-emotional competencies—that is, the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that individuals need to make successful choices (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning [CASEL], 2003). You will be presented with an overview of the expansive field of social and emotional learning. Through the lens of Social Emotional Learning, we examine and present many strategies for developing relationships, exercising compassion and empathy, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills, engaging in effective communication, and through understanding human diversity we see how culture impacts our learning environment. No matter how you label these competencies, by implementing the tenets of Social Emotional Learning, schools can enhance the learning environment and improve academics. Explore these
seven cards to discover powerful practices that will impact teaching and student learning.
Login:
Open the Sanford Inspire Website
from the Week Three - Assignment 3A - Understanding Social Emotional Learning link. 1.
View the shelf of Playbooks in Social Emotional Learning. For this assignment, you will only need to access Playbook #1 which is called “What is SEL?”
2.
Once you have opened up the “What is SEL?” Playbook, you will have access to the seven Cards for this Playbook, which will be referenced throughout this assignment and in future courses.
3.
Complete this assignment by answering the CARD questions below. Differentiation
Both intern teachers and student teachers can engage with the “What is SEL?” Playbook based on their own teaching and learning experiences. Intern teachers; what SEL strategies are you currently implementing? Student teachers; where do you want to begin with your implementation of SEL strategies in your classroom?
Considerations
“When teaching social emotional learning, we are looking at the whole person. The emotions
connected to learning are inseparable.” (Angela Karem, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher)
Through your Playbook learning, how can you reflect on ways in which you can bring the whole child into classroom learning experiences? How will you create an environment that is safe, nurturing and empowering for each child that enters your room? CARD 1 | SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
SEL in Action:
List 3 SEL strategies you observe the teacher utilizing in the video “Social and Emotional Learning: A Schoolwide Approach”.
1.
Classroom discussions and sharing circles.
2.
Role-playing activities
3.
Positive reinforcement and affirmations
SEL Snapshot:
Read about the purpose and intention of a morning meeting. Describe the process you will use with your students (identify your grade level) to develop norms and expectations about a morning meeting. For my morning meetings with the middle school students, I'll start by explicitly discussing the purpose - to build community,
and connections and set a positive tone for the day. Then, we'll
co-create norms and expectations as a class. I'll guide them to suggest ideas like listening respectfully, taking turns, being honest but kind, and keeping shared information confidential. We'll decide on a routine, like starting with a team-builder, sharing appreciations/challenges, and a mindfulness minute. Empowering them to shape our meetings will increase buy-in.
Think About It:
View the infographic titled “Elements that Influence the SEL Core Competencies”. Choose one
of the five core competencies (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making) and suggest one strategy
you
can utilize to cultivate this competency in the classroom. To cultivate self-management skills, I can guide students through strategies like belly breathing, self-talk, and making a
"game plan" when they feel overwhelmed. Providing those
concrete tools, modeling them myself, and allowing space to practice will be key. I may have them create personal mantra reminders or we could do weekly check-ins on self-regulation goals.
Act on It: Set an attainable goal for yourself that articulates a vision you have for building classroom community. My vision is to create an inclusive classroom community where every student feels a sense of belonging, confidence to be themselves, and mutual support. I'll prioritize consistent team building, check-ins, and collaborative groupings that allow real connections to form organically.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
CARD 2 | SEL AND RELATIONSHIPS
SEL in Action:
Watch
the two videos posted about relationship building in the classroom. Write
three strategies you can implement to build healthy social-emotional relationships with your students.
1.
Morning meetings to build connections.
2.
Applying a "; we're in this together" mindset.
3.
Making time for student-led discussions about their lives/interests
Think About It:
Analyze
the diagram titled “Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System” and apply it
to your current or future classroom. How does the entire system impact the individual (student)?
The ecological systems model highlights how multi-layered influences shape each student's experience, from their family dynamics to school culture to societal factors. As an educator, being aware of these nested contexts and potential challenges/supports is crucial. We can leverage positive spheres while actively building bridges to access community resources when needs arise at other levels.
Think About It:
Reflect on classrooms you have been in (as a student and as a teacher). Describe
how a physical layout can foster relationship building in a classroom. What physical elements in a classroom contribute to relationship building and what elements do not?
Physical classroom setups that allow for easy movement,
flexible seating options, and defined areas for different interaction styles all contribute to relationship building. Having an intentional "morning meeting" space that feels more casual alongside traditional desk arrangements provides
variety. Displaying student work, having properly sized furniture, and ensuring accessibility also signals an environment of care and belonging.
CARD 3 | SEL AND EMPATHY
Intro: Watch
Dr. Brene Brown’s video
on the difference between empathy and sympathy
. In your own words, describe
the difference between empathy and sympathy.
Empathy involves attempting to see a situation through someone else's lens - trying to understand their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives fully without judgment. Sympathy is
feeling pity or concern for their struggles from an outside perspective.
SEL in Action:
Watch Ashoka’s Start Empathy Initiative
video and summarize
your thoughts of how to build empathy in the classroom.
The video highlighted powerful ways to build empathy like reading stories from diverse perspectives, having honest discussions about societal biases, and providing opportunities for collaborative projects/team challenges that require perspective-taking. Ultimately, we want empathy to become reflexive for students in how they interact with each other and
the world.
Think About It:
Share
one strategy you can use to model empathy for yourself in front of your students.
Share
one strategy for how you can support students with their ability to identify and express their feelings.
To model empathy for students, I can "think aloud" about considering multiple viewpoints before reacting, especially during class discussions or conflicts. I can also be vulnerable in sharing personal experiences that shaped my perspectives. To support students' emotional literacy, we can collectively brainstorm an "emotions vocabulary" list, do daily check-ins using those terms, and have them practice role-playing scenarios.
Act on It: List three strategies
that you can use to build empathy in your classroom that are appropriate for your grade level and subject area. 1.
Use diverse books/media that represent varied identities
and prompt discussion of character motivations.
2.
Collaborative projects require negotiation and considering all group members' ideas.
3.
Daily share circles where students are prompted to respond to others' shares with empathy.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Card #___1___: Title: Social and Emotional Learning: A Schoolwide Approach
(i.e. Pick Your Own)
SEL in Action:
Watch
the video and provide
a 3-5 sentence summary of your learning and how it connects to your SEL comprehension so far.
That video was a powerful look at SEL competencies in action. The way the teacher facilitated that real-talk discussion on bullying, letting students openly share their perspectives and experiences? That's cultivating serious social awareness right there. And those role-playing activities were such an authentic way for kids to practice putting themselves in others' shoes and making responsible choices. Top it off with the teacher's positive affirmations creating that safe, supportive vibe. She nailed integrating
multiple SEL focus areas into one cohesive lesson.
Think About It:
Answer
each of the guided reflection questions in this section.
1.
To build that level of trust for a heavy topic, the teacher clearly worked early on
to establish an inclusive classroom community where every voice was valued. Consistent team-builders and check-ins were likely key.
2.
The role-plays let students flex skills like empathy, communication, problem-
solving, and self-management as they navigated those simulated bullying scenarios. Powerful real-world prep.
3.
Her affirming language and intentional praise reinforced students' efforts while modeling compassion. Little things like that shape the overall supportive culture.
Act on It: List your action plan
in the box below, following the directions listed on this card.
For my lesson integrating SEL skills, maybe a unit on analyzing character motivations in a novel. I'll have discussion prompts that spark perspective-taking, potential role-
plays to negotiate conflicts between characters, and group activities building on one another's insights. Processing the emotional/social dynamics in literature is such an authentic way to practice social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Card #___2___: Title: Relationship Building (i.e. Pick Your Own)
SEL in Action:
Watch
the video and provide
a 3-5 sentence summary of your learning and how it connects to your SEL comprehension so far.
Those videos captured why nurturing authentic relationships with students is ground zero for effective SEL. The examples of teachers intentionally learning about their students' cultures, backstories, and personal passions? That's how you forge the mutual understanding and respect that paves the way for real growth. No child's going to buy into SEL if they don't feel truly seen and valued by their teacher first.
Think About It:
Answer
each of the guided reflection questions in this section.
1.
The standout strategies were simply taking time to have conversations, doing
student interviews, making home visits, and including student voices in lessons.
Simple but powerful ways to signal you care.
2.
Every kid needs to know their teacher has their back and sees them as a complete human, not just a student ID number. That self-belief is foundational.
3.
Home visits, student surveys, identity exploration activities - tons of ways to start uncovering those funds of knowledge and making connections.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Act on It: List your action plan
in the box below, following the directions listed on this card.
Planning community-building circles regularly where students can share their stories and appreciation for one another. Also looking into designing entry/exit tickets that go beyond just content knowledge - giving me insights into their lives, minds, and needs. Could even have students interview a peer and share brief bios with the class. Everything should reinforce that this is an environment where all their multifaceted identities are welcomed and valued.