Second Step is a research-based social/emotional learning program designed to increase student success/achievement in school, decrease problem behavior, and promote social-emotional competence and self-regulation. Second Step is a universal, classroom-based curriculum and the lessons are developmentally appropriate for each grade level.
Second Step teaches skills in 4 main areas: skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, and problem solving. Skills for learning helps students focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk, and be assertive. Empathy helps students learn to identify and understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. Emotion management helps students learn skills for calming and understanding strong feelings. Problem solving helps students learn a process for solving problems in a positive way.
Second Step lessons will be taught in every K-4 classroom. School Counselors will teach Second Step every cycle (1 time every 6 days) for 30 minutes. Students will watch video clips, listen to songs, participate in discussions, do partner work, and get homework (called Home Links). Please be on the look-out for Home Links to come home in your child's folder. There is a parent/guardian signature required on the completed Home Links. For 2nd and 3rd grade, there is not a Home Link for every lesson. I will be keeping track of the Home Links that are returned and providing rewards simply for completion (not correctness). For 4th grade, there IS a Home Link for every lesson that your child will need to complete and bring back to school. In addition, classroom teachers will be reinforcing Second Step concepts and topics by doing a 5-10 daily following-through activity with their class.
Want to know more?? Join at www.secondstep.org and use the activation key that goes with your child's grade level:
2nd grade: SSP2 FAMI LY72
3rd grade: SSP3 FAMI LY73
4th grade: SSP4 FAMI LY74
Second Step teaches skills in 4 main areas: skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, and problem solving. Skills for learning helps students focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk, and be assertive. Empathy helps students learn to identify and understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. Emotion management helps students learn skills for calming and understanding strong feelings. Problem solving helps students learn a process for solving problems in a positive way.
Second Step lessons will be taught in every K-4 classroom. School Counselors will teach Second Step every cycle (1 time every 6 days) for 30 minutes. Students will watch video clips, listen to songs, participate in discussions, do partner work, and get homework (called Home Links). Please be on the look-out for Home Links to come home in your child's folder. There is a parent/guardian signature required on the completed Home Links. For 2nd and 3rd grade, there is not a Home Link for every lesson. I will be keeping track of the Home Links that are returned and providing rewards simply for completion (not correctness). For 4th grade, there IS a Home Link for every lesson that your child will need to complete and bring back to school. In addition, classroom teachers will be reinforcing Second Step concepts and topics by doing a 5-10 daily following-through activity with their class.
Want to know more?? Join at www.secondstep.org and use the activation key that goes with your child's grade level:
2nd grade: SSP2 FAMI LY72
3rd grade: SSP3 FAMI LY73
4th grade: SSP4 FAMI LY74
Social Skills/Social Thinking
Some of the topics, resources, and lessons I use:
|
Character Education
When teaching Character Education, I use a variety of books, teacher-made games, and activities I have complied over the years. I often use the Character Counts! website (www.charactercounts.org) as a resource. I also use Pinterest and Google for inspiration, ideas, and materials.
The Character Counts Committee partnered with the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) to create some short videos about some of the character traits. The videos can be seen on YouTube by copying and pasting the links below:
The Character Counts Committee partnered with the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) to create some short videos about some of the character traits. The videos can be seen on YouTube by copying and pasting the links below:
- Trustworthiness - http://youtu.be/yosHHrorX3w
- Caring - http://youtu.be/892u-8_Mov8
- Responsibility and Citizenship - http://youtu.be/XDh9HkJYR6Q
Feelings/Emotions
I have a large library of books about different feelings and how to manage feelings. One of my favorite books, "How Are You Peeling? Foods With Moods", provides students with a great introduction to feelings. Books are a great resource to teach students about feelings, but to also teach students that is okay to have feelings and how to manage/control them when needed.
I use games, such as: "The Anger Solution Game", "Self-Esteem City", "Escape From Anger Island", and "Angry Animals", when working with students. We also roleplay and use other activities (i.e. feelings journals) to discuss, demonstrate, and practice managing feelings. |
Peer relationships/Friendship-making skills
"Creative Small Groups" by Karen Gannon Griffith is a great resource for small groups of students who need to develop their friendship-making skills.
I also offer lunch bunch groups, where students can invite 2-3 of their peers to have lunch in my room one time per cycle, in order to support and facilitate conversations and friendships.
I also offer lunch bunch groups, where students can invite 2-3 of their peers to have lunch in my room one time per cycle, in order to support and facilitate conversations and friendships.
Divorce/Separation/Family Dynamics
Many different books are available for students who are going through a family change. Students are typically seen individually regarding these issues to ensure privacy and to encourage openness. Students can ask their teacher for a meeting with me and the teacher will contact me to set-up a session(s) that fits into the student's schedule. Parents can also contact the teacher or me directly to discuss changes that may be happening at home.
Academic Support
Any academic support provided to students is in collaboration with the student's classroom teacher.
***This list is meant for informational purposes. It is not all inclusive.***