Social Emotional Learning or SEL is definitely a term that is buzzing around these days. At ACA, SEL is more than just a term we use, it's one of the elements that makes ACA a great place.
The curriculum ACA uses to implement SEL is called Second Step and it is implemented schoolwide. It is research based and made for elementary students. "When implemented schoolwide, SEL can help create a positive school climate where students and adults can thrive together, improving social-emotional competence and academic achievement" (Second Step Curriculum)
ACA students will have weekly lessons following the SecondStep curriculum. Throughout the year, here are the units that will be covered K-8th grades.
Unit 1 Growth Mindset and Goal-Setting: Children learn how to pay attention and manage distractions, develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
Unit 2 Emotion Management: Children learn how to identify and label emotions and use emotion management strategies- including stress management for older students- to calm strong feelings.
Unit 3 Empathy & Kindness: Children learn how to recognize kindness and act kindly, have empathy for others and take others' perspectives, and recognize kind acts and empathy as important elements of building and maintaining relationships.
Unit 4 Problem-Solving: Children learn how to identify and state a problem, recognize if a problem is an accident, and use the STEP problem-solving process:
S: Say the problem
T: Think of solutions
E: Explore the outcomes
P: Pick a solution
We'll be sure to keep parents informed on ways to support and reinforce our weekly lessons at home. If you have any questions about SecondStep at ACA please don't hesitate to contact Dr. Pullins (cpullins@azcharter.com) our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging or your child's teacher. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community!
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