Components of SEL (social and emotional learning) programs

                    (Taken from J. S. Kress & M. J. Elisas, Handbook of Child Psychololgy.)

~Self-awareness~ Recognizing and naming one’s emotions Understanding the reasons and circumstances for feeling as one does Recognizing and naming others’ emotions Recognizing strengths in, and mobilizing positive feelings about, self, school, family, and support networks Knowing one’s needs and values Perceiving oneself accurately Believing in personal efficacy Having a sense of spirituality ~Self-management and organization~ Verbalizing and coping with anxiety, anger, and depression Controlling impulses, aggression, and self-destructive, antisocial behavior Managing personal and interpersonal stress Focusing on tasks at hand Setting short- and long-term goals Planning thoughtfully and thoroughly Modifying performance in light of feedback Mobilizing positive motivation Activating hope and optimism Working toward optimal performance states

~Social awareness~ Appreciating diversity Showing respect to others Listening carefully and accurately Increasing empathy and sensitivity to others’ feelings Understanding others’ perspectives, points of view, and feelings ~Responsible decision-making~ Analyzing situations perceptively and identifying problems clearly Exercising social decision-making and problem-solving skills Responding constructively and in a problem-solving manner to interpersonal obstacles Engaging in self-evaluation and ref lection Conducting oneself with personal, moral, and ethical responsibility ~Relationship management~ Managing emotions in relationships, harmonizing diverse feelings and viewpoints Showing sensitivity to social-emotional cues Expressing emotions effectively Communicating clearly Engaging others in social situations Building relationships Working cooperatively Exercising assertiveness, leadership, and persuasion Managing conflict, negotiation, refusal Providing, seeking help

The other 3 R's

Instead of reading, writing, arithmetic...
respect, responsibility, and relationships are the core values in character education.

15 years of Character Counts!

                                                    The six pillars of Character Counts!...

Exectutive director of Character Counts! tells

of the program's effectiveness and history...

Letter's up

Check out the beginning of my letter, don't worry, more to come... (:

Student perspective yet to come...

I am going to start posing the questions on the respect and responsibility school culture survey (see tab at the top of the page) to my students this week, so stay tuned... (Great idea, Grace!!)

Feedback request #2

Now I have three votes on my survey (including mine)... who else is going to offer their input?

No morals = "menace to society"

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." - Theodore Roosevelt