April 2024 at the SECD Lab

April 2024 at the SECD Lab

Spring is a upon us, and spring symbolizes starting over and growth! Just as the flowers grow, we at the SECD Lab want to encourage healthy classroom practices that allow students to grow. We want to help others continue learning about Social Emotional Learning as well as continuing the conversation of SEL’s impact on anger management, stress, and more! Additionally, April is Autism Awareness month, and Earth Day also falls during this month, so keep reading to find information and resources for both!

Anger Management

Anger in classrooms is complex, often stemming from primary emotions like shame or frustration. While anger can be empowering, it can also lead to counterproductive behaviors, particularly in students facing challenges at school. Teachers are aware that anger can escalate to aggression, disrupting the classroom environment and posing safety risks. Understanding the "aggression cycle," which includes phases like trigger, escalation, crisis, recovery, and post-crisis, can help teachers respond effectively to student anger. Proactive intervention, such as eliminating triggers or defusing anger early, is crucial in managing and preventing major outbursts. Here are 5 anger management recommendations for parents and teachers:

  1. Acknowledge that anger can be perfectly normal

  2. Recognize the difference between anger and aggression

  3. Teach basic anger management techniques

  4. Be an example. Model appropriate ways of handling difficult situations and frustration

  5. Compliment the child when he or she demonstrates problem solving or anger management techniques

Resources:

Aggression Cycle (interventioncentral.org)

Recommendations for Anger Management (udel.edu)

Anger Management Role Play Scenarios for Teens | LoveToKnow

9 Books to Help Kids Deal with Anger — Coping Skills for Kids

Autism Awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month, where we aim to uplift autistic voices and join in the community's happiness. Autism is a type of developmental difference that shapes how people see and interact with the world. It can affect how they sense things, think, move, speak, connect with others, and handle everyday activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 36 children have autism spectrum disorder, and this number is on the rise.

Here are a few autism teaching strategies for the classroom to set students up for success:

  1. Be aware of the characteristics of autism and general strategies

  2. Teach understanding and acceptance

  3. Ensure that organization, communication and sensory issues are addressed

  4. Provide written rules or pictures of expectations of behavior in the classroom

  5. Use descriptive praise to build desired behaviors

Resources:

World Autism Month | Autism Speaks

What is autism? How you can be supportive this Autism Acceptance Month (usatoday.com)

Interacting with Autistic People | Milestones Autism Resources | Cleveland, OH

Supporting Autism Families | Marcus Autism Center

Autism in the classroom: Strategies for success | Autism Speaks

Stress Awareness

Over the past year and a half, stress has been a consistent presence in many people's lives due to factors including healthcare, mass shootings, climate change, and the pandemic. Stress is our body's reaction to pressure, triggered by new or unexpected situations or a lack of control. It can manifest in routine stress from daily life, stress from sudden negative changes, or traumatic stress from dangerous events. In the midst of these stressors, it's important to acknowledge their impact, especially in classrooms where they inevitably seep in. Here are a few stress management strategies that can be used in the classroom:

  1. Establish consistent routines

  2. Allow students to stay active and keep moving

  3. Incorporate check-in and check-out strategies to provide students with the opportunity to say how they are doing

  4. Take breaks and regroup

Resources:

National Stress Awareness Month | Office of Human Resources (nih.gov)

PBISApps | Teach By Design—10 Strategies to Combat Stress in the Classroom

9 Stress Management Strategies Every Teacher Needs to Know (wgu.edu)

How to reduce stress | UNICEF Parenting

Earth Day

Bringing Earth Day into your classroom is a great way to teach kids about taking care of our planet. It's not just a one-day thing; it's about making caring for the Earth a part of our everyday lives. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22nd, offers tons of fun activities to get kids excited about being good stewards of the environment. Originating back in 1970, Earth Day was all about getting young people involved in protecting their planet. As the weather gets warmer, here are a few ideas for outdoor classroom activities that can be used for the rest of the school year:

  1. Nature Write: Students can sit, listen, and absorb the nature around them, then write about their observations and experiences.

  2. Chalk Math: Instead of doing math on paper, why not on the pavement outside?

  3. Cloud Shapes: Turn cloud watching into an interactive storytelling or artwork-creating experience.

  4. Scavenger Hunt: This is a classic game to get students moving and exploring nature!

Resources:

12 Teacher-Approved Earth Day Activities for Kids to Green Your Classroom (Plus Teacher Freebies) | Teach Starter

The importance of going outside for youth education - Voices Digital (pacificoaks.edu)

13 Outdoor Class Activities for Anyone, Anytime | Education World

Children's Picture Books about Nature, Outdoor Adventures, Camping, and Hiking — discovering anew

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@secdlab Calling all educators and school leaders! 📣📣 Visit [ https://selinschools.org/enroll/#schedule ] to enroll! See you all there!! #SEL #socialemotionallearning #educators #SELAcademy #teachers #leadership ♬ Happy Kids - MaxKoMusic

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Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our latest podcast with SEL4NJ’s Jillian and Brittany!

March 2024 at the SECD Lab

March 2024 at the SECD Lab

Welcome to another month of lab highlights from the SECD team. This month at the lab, we celebrated SEL Day, promoted Women’s History Month, and, as always, spread awareness about important SEL topics! Recently, our primary focus has been on sharing strategies to implement a growth mindset and active learning for children in the classroom.

SEL Day: March 8th, 2024

On the days leading up to SEL Day, the Digital Communication and Social Media (DCSM) team celebrated by crafting various graphics and media to advocate for the big day. Check out our social media pages linked down below to see how our lab spread awareness about SEL and SEL Day though our Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, and Podcast! 

SEL Day is celebrated on the second Friday of March to spread awareness on the positive effects of Social Emotional Learning. With the help the Digital Communications and Social Media team, the SECD Lab once again made top ten on the #SELday leaderboard. We placed at #7 internationally, with ten different badges awarded and ninety-five points accumulated!

Women’s History Month

The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously quipped that there should be nine women on the Supreme Court to reflect gender equality, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women's representation and rights. Women's History Month acknowledges the progress made, such as granting women the right to vote, but also underscores persistent challenges.

  1. Blaming Women for Men's Unhappiness: Recent discussions suggest that gender parity has affected relationship dynamics, with some blaming women for men's dissatisfaction and even violent behavior. This framing unfairly scapegoats women and sidesteps deeper societal issues.

  2. Underrepresentation in History: Women's contributions to various fields often go unrecognized, resulting in an incomplete understanding of history. Women's History Month aims to rectify this by spotlighting their achievements and contributions.

  3. Gender Pay Gap: Despite strides toward equality, women still earn less than men for the same work, perpetuating the message that women are undervalued. Advocacy for equal pay remains crucial to addressing this systemic issue.

Overall, Women's History Month serves as a platform to honor women's accomplishments, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for gender equality in all spheres of life. Suggestions for celebrating and supporting women's achievements are provided by organizations like the NSLS and governmental resources.

Resources:

2024 WHM Theme - National Women's History Alliance (nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org)

Five Influential Women in Education (sunburst.com)

The Importance of Women's History Month (nsls.org)

Growth Mindset

The difference of having a growth mindset vs a fixed mindset greatly influences individuals' approaches to challenges and learning.

  • Fixed mindset: Individuals with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities are static and cannot be changed. They may avoid challenges, give up easily, and see failure as a reflection of their inherent incompetence.

  • Growth mindset: Conversely, those with a growth mindset believe that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. They embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, and view failure as an opportunity for growth and learning.

While everyone may exhibit elements of both mindsets at different times, fostering a growth mindset is crucial for students' academic and personal development. However, shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset requires deliberate effort and consistent reinforcement.

In the classroom, educators can promote a growth mindset by:

  1. Praising effort over innate ability: Instead of praising students for being inherently smart or talented, acknowledge their hard work and perseverance.

  2. Normalizing failure as part of the learning process: Encourage students to view mistakes as opportunities for improvement and resilience-building rather than signs of incompetence.

  3. Providing opportunities for improvement: Offer students chances to retry tasks or assignments after learning from their mistakes, emphasizing progress rather than perfection.

  4. Recognizing and celebrating improvement: Value and acknowledge students' progress and growth, regardless of their starting point or current level of achievement.

Teachers can also support students in transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset by addressing their specific challenges and offering tailored strategies for overcoming them. Through consistent encouragement, guidance, and opportunities for reflection and growth, educators can help cultivate a classroom culture that fosters resilience, determination, and a passion for learning.

Resources:

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset: A Practical Guide for Teachers (weareteachers.com)

How to Nurture a Growth Mindset in Kids: 4 Best Tips (splashlearn.com)

You Can Do It! Children’s Books That Promote a Growth Mindset | Brightly (readbrightly.com)

Mindset Quotes by Carol S. Dweck (goodreads.com)

Cultivating a Growth Mindset Schoolwide | Edutopia

Active Listening

The importance of teaching effective listening skills to students is underscored by statistics revealing that over 60% of misunderstandings arise from poor listening. Compared to just 1% from poor reading, this emphasizes the need to incorporate listening activities into the curriculum. Active listening, characterized by full attention and understanding without distraction, contrasts with passive listening, akin to multitasking. Teaching active listening not only enhances classroom engagement but also extends benefits to students' academic and personal lives.

Benefits of active listening include:

  • Improved retention of information

  • Reduced frustration

  • Enhanced self-efficacy

  • Accelerated language acquisition for dual language learners

Active listening fosters communication, social-emotional development, and empathy, enriching students' overall academic experience.

To facilitate the development of active listening skills, educators can employ strategies such as minimizing distractions and incorporating multisensory learning activities. Some engaging activities to make learning about active listening enjoyable and effective for students include mindful listening meditation, string telephone projects, and outdoor sound scavenger hunts.

Resources:

Active Listening to Support Inclusive Teaching (slu.edu)

A Guide to Active Listening Skills in Education - Education Corner

The Value of Active Listening | Edutopia

How To Teach Students Active Listening - Waterford

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@secdlab Calling all educators and school leaders! 📣📣 Visit [ https://selinschools.org/enroll/#schedule ] to enroll! See you all there!! #SEL #socialemotionallearning #educators #SELAcademy #teachers #leadership ♬ Happy Kids - MaxKoMusic

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Additional Resources

Check out how different organizations and networks are supporting SEL and promoting social and emotional intelligence in schools to improve the education system for students!

Developing Students’ SEL and Character Across Tiers: We Must Help All Students Believe That They Matter (passcode: !!46xY3V)

Watch a recording of Dr. Elias’ webinar for the NJ Association of School Psychologists!

Applaud Our Kids (AOK)

AOK is a wonderful foundation that gives out scholarships to low-income students to support their learning how to play musical instruments and build their SEL skills. Help support their mission by attending their “Let Them Dream Big“ concert on Sunday, May 19th at Shore Regional High School.

Additional Links

School Culture and Climate Initiative Newsletter - March 2024 (constantcontact.com)

Bridging Youth Divides Through Morning Classroom Conversations (Ep. 25) — Courageous Conversations About Our Schools (schoolconversations.org)

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our latest podcast with Iya and Zeniah!

Febuarary 2024 at the SECD Lab

February 2024 at the SECD Lab

As February comes to a close, we hope everyone has settled well into the new year. At the SECD Lab, we have been hard at work promoting the upcoming SEL Day, celebrated Black History month, and spreading awareness about important SEL topics! Continue reading to learn about the importance of emotional resilience, assertiveness, and positive relationships and how these can all be implemented in children’s lives. Additionally, don’t forget to register for SEL week to gain access to resources and hear about some great SEL practices from amazing presenters!

#SELday 2024 is Quickly Approaching!!!

There are only a few days left until SEL day on March 8th, and school educators and mental health professionals from all over are coming together to promote SEL practices for children’s growth and well-being. This year's theme is Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders, which emphasizes the important role SEL plays in shaping future leaders who are equipped with crucial life skills beyond academics. In our blog post about SEL Day, you will find key resources and registration links to webinars, which will run from March 4th to March 7th, as well as a registration link for the SEL Day Summit on March 8th. We hope you’ll join in on this amazing opportunity to connect with fellow SEL advocates to better implement SEL roactices in schools!

SEL Implementation App Coming Soon…

The SECD Lab is proud to announce that we are in the process of creating an app to help support SEL instruction in schools and share the SEL mission with a larger audience. Now, we need YOUR HELP to bring this app to life!

Please take a few moments to fill out the following User Research Survey to help us develop an app that best caters to your needs. Additionally, if you are interested in helping to create this app, sign up for an interview here. We greatly appreciate your help and encourage you to share these links with others!

Black History Month

Black History Month is a time of reflection and celebration, honoring the contributions and achievements of Black leaders both past and present. It serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and diversity in education, as well as the profound impact Black history has on shaping our society.

The teaching of Black history has faced challenges in schools across the nation. However, last year, New Jersey's Governor Phil Murphy made a statement in support of preserving and expanding the teaching of Black history in schools.

"New Jersey will proudly teach our kids that Black History is American History," Governor Murphy declared, emphasizing the essential role Black history plays in providing students with a comprehensive understanding of their country's past and fostering a sense of empathy and appreciation for the experiences of others. He recognizes that it is essential students receive a well-rounded education that accurately reflects the diversity of American history.

Early elementary educators, in particular, are highlighted as key influencers in shaping students' awareness and understanding of racial justice issues. By equipping teachers with the necessary resources and tools to teach Black history effectively, students are empowered to develop enhanced consciousness, leadership skills, and empathy.

Representation matters profoundly in education. By showcasing examples of Black trailblazers and achievers, students of all backgrounds are inspired to succeed while gaining a deeper appreciation for the value of inclusion and diversity. As we commemorate Black History Month and look ahead, it is essential to continue advocating for equity and inclusivity in our classrooms.

Resources:

Facts, Theme, & Origin of Black History Month

Importance of Teaching Black History

AP African American Studies Class

12 Important Black Educators

Emotional Resilience

Emotional resilience is crucial for coping with stress and adversity, allowing people to effectively respond to challenging situations. Factors such as age, identity, and life experiences influence a person’s level of resilience. Strategies for building emotional resilience include gaining perspective on stressful events, maintaining a positive outlook, and giving yourself a break during difficult times.

Here are a few other ways to boost your emotional resilience:

  1. Face your fears

  2. Have a moral compass

  3. Get social support

  4. Keep your brain strong

  5. Find meaning in what you do

Resources:

What is Emotional Resilience?

10 Ways to Boost Emotional Resilience

Resilience Guide for Parents & Educators

Assertiveness

Assertive communication is a challenging skill to develop in a culture that often rewards aggression and passivity. Teaching and practicing assertiveness techniques can empower children to express their needs and boundaries effectively. In educational settings, students who lack assertiveness skills may struggle to participate openly or confront bullying, while teachers may find it challenging to set clear expectations or seek support. Teaching assertiveness techniques, such as the "nice no," setting boundaries, asking for thinking time, stating needs clearly, using "I feel" messages, and knowing how to respond to aggression, can equip both students and teachers with valuable tools for effective communication and conflict resolution.

Teachers can help foster assertiveness by:

  1. Exploring empathy first

  2. Recognizing feelings

  3. Guiding “what-if“ discussions

  4. Practicing skills

  5. Sustaining connections

Modeling Assertiveness in Students

How and Why to Teach Assertiveness Early

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Additional Resources & Important Sites

Check out how different organizations and networks are supporting SEL and promoting social and emotional intelligence in schools to improve the education system for students!

Urban Assembly

With a mission of advancing students’ social and economic mobility by improving public education, the Urban Assembly (UA) is a model provider of school support, supporting a network of 23 small, high-performing career-themed NYC schools. The UA provides school support in 4 key areas to advance student growth: Academics (math and literacy), Leadership, College Access, Career Readiness, and Social-Emotional Learning - as well as Postsecondary Success support in college and career for UA alumni. The UA engages hundreds of public, private, and non-profit sector partners to increase educational opportunities and close the opportunity gap.

SEL4US

SEL4US was founded in 2019 to empower local advocates to influence and support their communities to implement high-quality social and emotional learning. SEL4US is a national organization that works at the state and community levels to raise awareness of the benefits of SEL, promote and support SEL implementation, and advance policies and funding to sustain and spread the use of high-quality SEL.

Six Seconds

Six Seconds is a global non-profit network working to increase the world’s emotional intelligence. Six Seconds’ helps people be “smarter with feelings” by providing training, tools and methods to assist others in practicing these skills. Emotional intelligence is a set of learnable, measurable skills that predict improved effectiveness, relationships, quality of life and wellbeing.

Six Seconds is holding a free webinar on March 7th at 7am PST entitled “The Emotional Intelligence Network: From Research to the Practical and Fun Side of Emotional Intelligence!” Click here for more details on the virtual event and the registration link.

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our new podcast with Iya and Zeniah!

#SELday 2024: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders

#SELday!

#SELday is almost here, a day dedicated to promoting and celebrating SEL and its impact on students' growth and development. On this day, educators and SEL advocators come together to inspire support towards children’s academic recovery and mental health and well-being. This year's theme, Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders, emphasizes the crucial role SEL plays in shaping future leaders who are equipped with essential life skills beyond academics. How do you advocate SEL? What do you do to shape today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders?

Be sure to register for SEL Day! Click here to register!!!

What is SEL and why is it important?

SEL, or Social Emotional Learning, is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to

  1. Understand and manage emotions,

  2. Set and achieve positive goals,

  3. Feel and show empathy for others,

  4. Establish and maintain positive relationships, and

  5. Take responsible decisions.

In other words, SEL empowers students to develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making abilities!

How can we incorporate SEL into our daily practices?

As educators, caregivers, and community members, we must recognize the significance of SEL in preparing students for success in school, work, and life. Here's how we can incorporate SEL into our daily practices:

  1. Create a supportive environment: Foster a classroom or community culture that values and promotes emotional well-being, inclusivity, and respect. Encourage open communication, active listening, and empathy among students.

  2. Teach and model SEL skills: Explicitly teach SEL competencies through lessons, activities, and discussions. Model positive behaviors and attitudes, such as self-regulation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving, for students to emulate.

  3. Integrate SEL into the curriculum: Infuse SEL into various subjects and academic tasks to reinforce its importance and relevance. For example, incorporate SEL concepts into literature discussions, math problem-solving activities, or science experiments.

  4. Provide opportunities for reflection and feedback: Encourage students to reflect on their emotions, actions, and interactions with others. Offer constructive feedback and guidance to help them develop self-awareness and improve their social skills.

  5. Promote SEL beyond the classroom: Collaborate with families, community organizations, and policymakers to advocate for SEL initiatives and resources. Highlight the benefits of SEL in enhancing academic achievement, reducing behavioral problems, and fostering a positive school climate.

Registration Links for SEL Day!

SEL Week Webinar Showcase Series

March 4-7,2024

Join SEL4NJ for a series of practical webinars for all school educators and mental health professionals sharing SEL strategies that work in classrooms and schools. These webinars are offered free of charge and recordings will be available after SEL Week for those who have registered. Program descriptions are available on the SEL4NJ website. All sessions will meet online, and Zoom Meeting Rooms will be used.

See the flyer for details and registration links!

Click here for a more detailed description of each webinar!

SEL for Educator Wellbeing: Introducing Justice-Centered SEL

March 12,2024 | 1 Hour FREE Event | 7:00 pm Eastern, 4:00 pm Pacific

Educators are facing a brutal wellbeing challenge -- how can we use social emotional learning (SEL) to help educators be and feel better? As part of this year's #SELDAY celebration, join this lively free workshop to get insight and tools you can use yourself, and with colleagues. You will learn the Antioch-Six Seconds framework for adult-focused SEL rooted in social justice, compassion & current research.

FACILITATORS

  • Joshua Freedman – Emotional Intelligence Advocate, Author, Changemaker

  • Anabel Jensen, PhD – Cofounder and President of Six Seconds, EdD faculty member at Antioch University

  • Greg Lucas – SEL Director/Doctoral student at Antioch University EdD x SEL

  • Kailyn Fullerton – Doctoral Candidate in EdD x SEL & Mindfulness/SEL Consultant

Click here to register!

Join us for an SEL4NJ Summit on SEL Day!

SEL4NJ and its partner organizations will be presenting a special SEL Day Summit on March 8th, 2024 from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time. The free virtual event and will feature multiple presentations about the benefits of social-emotional and character development in schools and in life. Join us in to help spreading the word about what SEL is and why it’s so critical!

Register for SEL Day to access the Zoom link for the Summit: Register here

How our team is spreading awareness about SELDay!

Click below to learn more about SEL and its importance!

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled “SECD On Demand!” Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our new podcast featuring Dr. Patricia Heindel

December 2023 at the SECD Lab

December 2023 at the SECD Lab

As the year comes to a close, we wanted to give you all a few final highlights on our lab before wrapping up the Fall Semester and taking a pause for the holidays.

Inclusivity During the Holidays

When considering your students during the holiday season, it's important to recognize that what may be a joyous time for some could be just another month for others. With diverse religious affiliations and beliefs among students, including those who don't adhere to any faith, it's essential to approach holiday celebrations in the classroom with sensitivity. Statistics from the Pew Research Center highlight the religious diversity in the United States, emphasizing the need for educators to foster inclusivity. Acknowledging the holiday season with respect various beliefs is key to creating a welcoming and representative classroom environment, especially during the festive month of December.

Here are a few tips and reminders for creating an inclusive holiday celebration in the classroom:

  1. Emphasize children learning about the holidays of most importance in different religions, rather than celebrating them

  2. Focus on traditions and allow students to share how they observe different holidays in their own way

  3. Pay attention to the language used in holiday activities

  4. Use the season to promote giving to the community and the less fortunate

  5. Do your research to avoid stereotypes

Check out these articles and blogs for more tips:

Anti-Bias Education and Holidays: Making Thoughtful Decisions | NAEYC

How to Create Inclusive Classroom Holiday Celebrations: 7 Teacher Tips | Teach Starter

Creating an Inclusive Holiday Celebration in Your Classroom | Study.com

How to Keep Your Classroom Inclusive During December | Edpuzzle Blog

Finals

Final exams serve as a crucial assessment of semester-long learning, often inducing stress even in typically composed students. However, by adopting effective strategies, exams can transition from overwhelming burdens to tools that measure one's achievement against the course objectives. The key to minimizing stress lies in avoiding unproductive habits and unnecessary pressure. It can be hard to balance a heavy academic workload while also prioritizing well-being, especially during exam season. Remember that students should feel comfortable seeking advice and support from parents and instructors who offer comfort and a listening ear.

Here are a few tips for students to help them get through finals season:

  1. Plan ahead and prioritize tasks…avoid procrastinating!!

  2. Get rid of distractions and distracting devices

  3. Find a space conducive to studying

  4. Maintain healthy habits and remember to eat, sleep, and stay hydrated

  5. Take brain breaks — whether it’s listening to music, cooking, baking, going for a walk, stretching, meditating, or doing mindfulness exercises, give yourself healthy breaks to avoid burnout

For more information, see the resources below:

Tips for Supporting Your Student During Finals | Parents and Families (umich.edu)

10 Tips for Self Care During Finals Week (nyu.edu)

10 Study Tips For Surviving Finals Week | PLNU (pointloma.edu)

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We are sure everyone is excited to spend the holidays with their family and loved ones, and we hope you all have a wonderful break! Happy holidays from the SECD Lab family and hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

 

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our latest podcast episode!

November 2023 at the SECD Lab

November 2023 at the SECD Lab

We hope everyone had a great end to the month of November and enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday. Earlier this month, Dr. Elias was featured in a blog post on the Research Press’s website. Click here to see what they have to say about SEL and its immense value in school systems.

Dr. Elias also hosted a webinar with the Committee for Children titled “The Essential Synergy of SEL and Character Development.” When students have a positive purpose and a mindset of contribution, they can be more willing to learn and cooperate. In this webinar, Dr. Elias unpacked the integral connection between social-emotional learning (SEL) and character through social-emotional and character development (SECD). He explained how schools can prioritize SECD in character-driven environments and empower students to realize their positive purpose.

To register for future webinars or view recordings of past webinars, check out the links below!

Webinar Schedules

Webinars and Other Events

 
 

In other exciting news, one of our undergraduate research assistants, Elsie Arina, successfully presented a poster this month at the ABCT conference held in Seattle, WA!

 

Self-Expression

Fostering self-expression in children is crucial for their holistic development, involving the articulation of thoughts and emotions through various means such as words, appearance, or actions. Encouraging this expression enhances self-confidence, independence, and creativity, enabling children to discover their unique qualities. Here are a few ways to encourage self-expression among students:

  1. Using arts as a medium for expression

  2. Talk to them about their feelings

  3. Encourage exploration

  4. Offer them choices

  5. Let them develop their own style

Read the following articles and blogs for more tips:

How to Encourage Self Expression in Students (teachmint.com)

10 Activities to Encourage Self-Expression in Pre-Teens (scholastic.com)

How Invention Education Encourages Self-Expression | National Inventors Hall of Fame®

Importance of Encouragement

As a parent or teacher, the things you say and do can profoundly impact students, either uplifting them or causing emotional distress. Students absorb positive words and supportive actions, which fuel their motivation to achieve success. Encouragement can be a critical factor that influences whether students persist in their educational journey or give up. Here are a few ways you can encourage and uplift students.

  1. Give positive feedback

  2. Listen

  3. Use positive body language

  4. Show students their own success

  5. Validate and be honest

For more information, check out these resources:

The Importance of Encouragement in Education (kentwoodprepschool.com)

15 Ways To Make Students Feel Encouraged (risevision.com)

Encouragement vs Praise for Teachers | Positive Discipline

Praise vs Encouragement: What's the Difference and Why it Matters (selfsufficientkids.com)

AI in Education

As the use of AI becomes a growing topic of conversation, it is important to address its use in a school setting to best benefit students’ education. If implemented well, AI can become a great resource and learning tool for students. For example, it can be used for personalized studying and generating feedback for students, as well as a tool to help with automated obligations for teachers.

However, there are a few disadvantages to the use of AI in school systems that we should note so that it can be implemented in the best way possible. First, AI lacks interpersonal skills, and students should be aware that it cannot replace instructors, but rather act as a tool and secondary resource. Additionally, the biggest concerns are AI’s potential bias and lack of privacy.

AI has the potential to transform education, yet challenges need careful consideration before widespread implementation in schools.

Related Resources:

Should schools ban or integrate generative AI in the classroom? | Brookings

Using AI Tools for Differentiated Instruction | Edutopia

Teaching Students to Use AI Tools | Edutopia

Embracing Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom | Harvard Graduate School of Education

AI in Education: The Advantages and Disadvantages (instrucko.com)

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@secdlab self expression allows for students to feel more comfortable in class and can increae self efficacy!! here are some ways to encourage self expression in the classroom #sel #secd #socialemotionallearning #education #studenttok #teachertok #edutok #schooltok #fyp #selfexpression ♬ original sound - SECD Lab

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Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our latest podcast episode!

An Important Note from the Lab Regarding Current World Events

SECD Lab Statement on Israel and Gaza

The events in Israel and Gaza cannot help but yield a profound sadness, including among those, like our Lab, dedicated to advancing the well-being of young people. War-related events with tragic impact on children and adolescents-- as well as others, of course-- have a long history. We join in the grief of those suffering these losses, as well as asking, "How can such things happen?" What we are seeing serves to challenge what we think we know about the environments in which children are raised, and how much work still lies ahead of us in prioritizing human dignity in all cases. When we see inequity in schools, we must learn to look deeper. When we see a failure to be inclusive, we must question more insightfully and persistently. Our mission-- promoting the social-emotional and character development of young people toward positive purpose-- has become both more urgent and more complicated if our goal is to make a substantial difference and help young people aspire to lives of noble and peaceful contribution. As we extend our sympathy to those who have suffered and are suffering horrific losses for which there can be no adequate justification, we also renew our pledge to work toward a future in which the life and well-being of children and their caregivers will be given the highest priority and are held as the highest common value, without exception or qualification. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, with a slight amendment: “We must come to see that the end we seek is a world at peace with itself, a world that can live with its conscience,” – delivered on March 25, 1965, in Montgomery, AL.

We are dedicated to providing resources and support for our community to help cope with the horrible events that are occurring, engage in informed discussions, and find assistance when needed:

Crisis Lines:

Resources for Educators/Community:

October 2023 at the SECD Lab

October 2023 at the SECD Lab

We hope everyone had a wonderful wrap to their October month. Here at the SECD Lab, we are striving to spread awareness on many topics, including the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and self-regulation. October is also the month dedicated to ADHD Awareness. To learn more, we encourage everyone to check out some of our resources linked below.

ADHD Awareness Month

ADHD Awareness Month is an annual observance to raise awareness about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The goal of ADHD Awareness Month is to educate the public about ADHD, reduce stigma, and promote understanding of this neurodevelopmental disorder. ADHD is commonly diagnosed in children but can persist into adulthood, affecting people's attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

During ADHD Awareness Month people engage in activities to increase awareness and understanding of the condition. These activities may include:

1. Educating oneself and accessing resources: Learning more about the condition can help you advocate for those who have it. Check out the resources with information and tips for parents, teachers, and teens linked at the bottom of this page to get started.

2. Using one’s voice: Use social media platforms to spread information and resources about ADHD, as well as to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions.

3. Attending/organizing events: Workshops, support groups, seminars, and webinars can help connect individuals with ADHD, their families, and caregivers to share personal experiences and provide emotional support, as well as provide easy access to information about ADHD.

6. Supporting ADHD organizations: Some organizations may accept donations and raise funds to support research, awareness, and advocacy efforts related to ADHD.

ADHD Awareness Month serves as a platform for fostering understanding and empathy, encouraging early diagnosis and intervention, and promoting the well-being of individuals living with ADHD. It also encourages educators and healthcare professionals to better support those with ADHD and work toward creating more inclusive and accommodating environments.

Check out this article to learn more about ADHD Awareness Month’s history, mission, and ways to celebrate!

Teamwork & Collaboration

Teamwork and collaboration in the classroom are important for fostering a positive learning environment and helping students develop essential life skills. These skills go beyond academic knowledge and are valuable for students as they prepare for their future careers and personal lives. Here are some key aspects and strategies for managing teamwork and collaboration in the classroom:

  1. Identify a leader

  2. Give everyone a role

  3. Make sure that everyone is pulling their weight

  4. Learn to coach more and teach less

Teamwork allows students to learn from their peers, which, in turn, enhances feelings of connectedness and community among students and can add excitement to lessons. By emphasizing teamwork and collaboration in the classroom, educators can help students develop crucial skills, including effective communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, adaptability, and empathy.

Learn more about the benefits of teamwork and tips to manage collaboration in the classroom by checking out the articles below:

What Are The Benefits Of Teamwork In The Classroom? (brightclassroomideas.com)

4 Tips to Manage Teamwork in the Classroom - Calmer Classrooms

 

Self-Regulation

Self-regulation is an essential skill for students to develop as it helps them manage their emotions, behaviors, and learning strategies. It empowers them to become more independent and effective learners. Here are some strategies and tips for promoting self-regulation in students:

  1. Teach and practice coping skills: Equip students with coping strategies for dealing with setbacks and challenges. This could include mindful breathing, seeking help from teachers or peers, and maintaining a positive attitude.

  2. Provide emotion check-ins: Help students recognize and understand their emotions. When they are aware of their feelings, they can manage them effectively. Strategies like mindfulness can be beneficial.

  3. Help develop routines: Encouraging consistency helps students build good habits and reinforces self-regulation. For example, students can be expected to come into class, submit homework, and start work written on the board as part of their morning routine.

  4. Prepare for transitions: Giving students a warning that they will be changing activities helps them with time-management. This can be done using something like a visual countdown timer or a bell chime for a 5-minute warning.

  5. Provide feedback: Provide constructive feedback on students' self-regulation efforts and encourage them to reflect on their progress regularly. By doing so and developing personalized goals together, student will learn how they can improve.

Remember that self-regulation is a skill that develops over time and may vary among students. Be patient and provide guidance and support as they work on enhancing their self-regulation skills. The ultimate goal is to empower students to become more effective, self-directed learners.

For more practices to help students build self-regulation skills, check out this article!

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@secdlab 👻 Happy Halloween👻 These books incorporate Halloween elements/themes while offering valuable lessons about emotions, kindness, courage, and personal development, making them perfect for discussing SEL!! #halloween #spook #spookyseason #edutok #fyp #socialemotionallearning #Canva #teachersoftiktok #bookrecommendations #booktok ♬ Spooky, Scary Skeletons (House VIP Remix) - Crystal Knives & Lex Allen
 
 

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To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

 

Singapore Delegation Visit

Singapore Delegation Visit to SECD Lab

On October 5th and 6th, we had the pleasure of collaborating with the Singapore Delegation and showing them the SECD Lab’s work in professional development and research in establishing strong partnerships with schools and the community. The delegation visited schools in Paramus and Roselle, NJ with Dr. Elias, where SECD is implemented. We also held a panel between the delegates and NJ schools from Montville, Hanover Park, Whippany, and Morristown.

Thank you attendees!

We would like to thank members of the Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education of the National Institute of Education for visiting our lab:

  • Professor Tan Oon Seng, Centre Director

  • Ms Liaw Shao Jun Nicole, Deputy Centre Director

  • Dr Yue Yu, Education Research Scientist

  • Ms Ng May Gay, Teaching Fellow

  • Swee Chuan, Teaching Fellow

We would also like to thank the Singaporean Ministry of Education for taking the time to visit our lab and learn about the importance of SECD in schools:

  • Ms Ong Soo Lin, Lead Specialist, Guidance Branch, Student Development Curriculum Division 1

  • Mr Osman Abdullah, Master Teacher, Character and Citizenship Education, Academy of Singapore Teachers

 

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

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September 2023 at the SECD Lab

September 2023 - Back To School Month

It’s back to school season, one of the most exciting times of the year for kids! After a fun and relaxing summer break, students are ready to reconnect with their peers and tackle this new school year with the guidance and support of their teachers. In order to help teachers prepare for another year of learning, growth, and new experiences, we wanted to provide some tips to make the transition back to school as smooth and enjoyable as possible, and it starts with incorporating Social-Emotional Learning in classrooms. SEL plays a crucial role in creating well-rounded students who can navigate life's challenges with empathy, resilience, and self-awareness, and it is the key to having a successful school year!

Why SEL Matters

Social-emotional learning is the process through which individuals develop important skills for managing emotions, building positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. These skills are not only valuable in school but also in all aspects of life. Here's why SEL matters:

  1. Improved Academic Performance: Students with strong SEL skills tend to perform better academically since they are better able to handle stress, focus on their studies, and collaborate with peers.

  2. Enhanced Mental Health: SEL helps both students and educators cope with stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges, contributing to better mental well-being.

  3. Positive Relationships: By understanding emotions and practicing empathy, students can form healthier relationships with classmates and teachers.

  4. Conflict Resolution: SEL equips individuals with problem-solving skills, reducing conflicts and promoting a harmonious school environment.

Social Emotional Learning is essential in teaching students self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Please check out this article on 15 Strategies to Incorporate Social Emotional Learning in Classrooms

 

Mental Preparation

The transition into a new school year can be nerve-wracking and overwhelming for both students and teachers, but it doesn’t have to be! With the right mindset and preparation, you can reacclimate and get back into the flow.

Here are a few ways students can mentally prepare themselves for the school year:

  1. Set a regular sleep pattern

  2. Write a “new school year resolutions” list

  3. Familiarize yourself with the required readings

  4. Eat breakfast

  5. Go in with a positive attitude!

Additionally, here are some things teachers can do to ease into the new school year:

  1. Reflect on the previous school year

  2. Get organized

  3. Develop a self-care plan

  4. Connect with colleagues

  5. Remember what you enjoy about teaching!

Check out these article for more tips:

How To Mentally Prepare For Going Back to School - Faze — These tips can help students start the new year with confidence!

What to Do If You Didn’t Want to Go Back to School | Edutopia — These suggestions can help teachers fight their new-school-year anxiety to have a successful year.

 

The Importance of Character Education

Students have the power to change the world, and teachers have the power to get them there. When you put a naturally curious student who learns from their experiences and interactions in the world in a setting that values character education, it unlocks an endless amount of positive growth for the child.

Character Education helps students:

  1. Develop strong moral and ethical values

  2. Communicate respectfully

  3. Understand the importance of responsibility, empathy, and self-development

  4. Form healthy relationships, manage their emotions, and make responsible choices

  5. Navigate finding a sense of identity, figuring out their values, and improving their attitudes toward themselves and others

For more information, check out the following:

Brighten Your Child’s Future Through Character Education (positiveaction.net)

How to Teach Elementary Students Character in the Classroom and Online | Edutopia

Back to School Resources:

5 Tips to Mentally Prepare for the First Month of School (upchieve.org) — Students, get back into the swing of things at the start of the school year with these 5 tips!

Preparing for College Mental Health, not Just Academics (childmind.org) — How can students prepare for the emotional challenges they may face as they transition into college, and how can parents support them?

Best Practices for Character Education Implementation in the Classroom (positiveaction.net) — Find out how easy it is to implement character education in a classroom setting.

Character Education: As Important as Academics? | Parenting (greatschools.org) — So how important is character education, really? Learn why character education should be a priority in schools and how parent can help.

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Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

End of the Year at the SECD Lab!

A Shout Out to a Spectacular Lab!

Names from up to down, left to right: Dr. Maurice Elias, Yukti Bhatt, Alexey Glinskiy, May Yuan, Elsie Arina, Sabrina Quinones, Angela Wang, Lena Ali, Isabella Vonberg, Bridget Torcivia, Ashley Qiu, Sarah Elmer, Disha Patel, Ree Shakaib, Julia Katz, Kimberly Rivera, Mia Prowisor

After the pandemic, the lab was moved to virtual. This gave us the ability to expand the lab and enabled SECD Lab to on-board more creative and passionate research assistance! Everyones work has been so impactful and insightful this semester. Our lab had the ability to achieve so much, all due to our compassionate supervisors and leadership team and our research assistance. Team work makes the dream work!!

Thank you everyone for your hardwork!!

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

March 2023 at the SECD Lab

March 2023 at SECD Lab

Welcome back to the SECD Lab, lab highlights. This month we were ecstatic to be able to participate in SEL Day and the celebration leading up to SEL Day! The Digital Communication and Social Media team crafted various graphics to advocate for SEL Day. Check out our social media pages linked down below. 

SEL Day, March 10th, 2023

SEL Day is celebrated on the second Friday of March to spread awareness on the positive effects of Social Emotional Learning. Dr. Elias was able to be a key speaker advocating for SEL day! With the help the Digital Communications and Social Media team, the SECD Lab made top ten on the #SELday leader board. We placed at #8 with thirteen different badges awarded and one-hundred and fifteen points accumulated!

Image created by Ashley Q. Retrieved from SECD_Lab Instagram

Based on the New York Times, around 2/3 of students tend to struggle with reading. How can we reduce that number and incorporate Social Emotional Skills into reading activities? Dr. Elias takes about a few different ways that SEL can be integrated into reading such as;

  1. Recognizing an labeling feeling ins pictures and dialogue

  2. being able to table others perspective and having empathy

  3. Managing strong emotions while reading

  4. Relating to others

  5. Problem solving around diffculites

Check out the full article by clicking this link!

Effectiveness of SEL Instructions

As Spring break is coming up for different school districts, we wanted to express the effective benefits of Social-emotional learning teaching. Dr.Elias highlights 4 ways to create an SEL Classroom environment and 5 techniques to incorporate SEL in the lesson plans. Dr. Elias highlights many benefits of positivity and gratitude in the classroom. For example, when a child feels praised and appreciated, that same attitude is reflected onto other students. This way of teaching can help not only students social awareness but decrease the violence in the classrooms. Dr. Elias talks about how cooperating small groups, open-ended questions can help with social awareness as well!

Some of Dr. Elias’s recommendations are 

  1. Be positive and encouraging.

  2. Generate as much student participation/leadership as possible.

  3. Build positive relationships with the students and among the students.

  4. Promote the thinking skills essential for school success.

If you want to learn more about incorporating SEL techniques to incorporate in the classroom. Please checkout the article by clicking this link: Gauging the Effectiveness of SEL Instruction

3 SEL Practices That Early Childhood Educators Can Use Every Day by Lainie Rowell, Naomi Toland

At the younger level, SEL tends to be explicitly taught! Providing strong skills of now can help children succeed. Laine and Naomi talk about the three of the most popular SEL practices that are used to help create this foundation for students to learn self mangement, social awareness and more!

New STAT Facebook Page

Anyone interested in SEL (social-emotional learning and STAT, should join this group! Every week, there will be a different theme, discussion questions centered around that theme, as well as discussion about current events in SEL and STAT.

Scan the QR Code to join!

Make Sure to get a copy of the Students Taking Action Together, STAT book

Febuarary 2023 at the SECD Lab

Hope everyone had a wonderful wrap to their February month. Here at the SECD Lab, we celebrated Black History month, Presidents Day and more! February is a month dedicated to learning how to use social emotional learning in times of crisis and spreading resources that educators can use. We encourage viewers to preview some of the readings provided below!

Celebrating Black History Month

Retrieved from Black History Month Celebration. Welcome to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center! from https://dallasmlkcenter.com/black-history-month/

Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating the historical achievements of African Americans throughout the month of February! Before 1976, Black History Month was actually not a month, but a week. President Gerald extended the event and made it a month to commemorate the successes of black Americans throughout history and present times.

Celebrating Black history month inside and outside of the classroom helps students feel empowered and encourages learning about history, culture and traditions.

“Connecting Black History to Joy” is an Edutopia post written by Hereich Nichols that explains that Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the joyous events of that happen in history, alongside learning about historical figures such as, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and more.

Heriech Nichols mentions that all students and teachers should be able to identify and answer the following

  1. Name five Black history figures unrelated to the Civil Rights Movement

  2. Name least one Black community tradition

  3. Name at least one Black historical music pioneer or genre 

  4. Name one pop culture trend from the Black community that has gone mainstream (e.g., high-fiving)

  5. Name at least one Black millionaire 

If you would like to read more, please click here!

Check out these Article for more:

Connecting Black History to Joy— Black History Month isn’t only about pain—it can be a full-fledged celebration of accomplishments that have shaped America.

Teaching Black History Thought, and Culture Through Art | From Alma Thomas to Jean-Michel Basquiat and Augusta Savage, here are eight remarkable artists to talk about in class—and art projects inspired by their work.  

7 Books About Black History to Use as Mentor Texts — A curated list of texts to guide students to explore Black history and practice a variety of writing moves at the same time.

Teaching Black History Year-Round Requires Rigorous Sight — The vastness of the Black experience in America extends far beyond one month of the year.

Presidents Day

Presidents day is a federal holiday that is celebrated on the third Monday of February. Incorporating Presidents day in school lessons help prompt critical thinking skills and resonating skills.

How can we incoperate Presidents day in the classroom? Dr. Maurice Elias discusses how four simple questions can be asked about Presidents day that underlies social- emotional and life lessons.

Those questions are as presented:

  1. What would you do if you were President of the United States of America?

  2. Who would help you do this?

  3. How long do you think it would take to do this?

  4. What if you had a hard time, ran into some difficulties, some obstacles? What would you do then?

As the questions above are asked in a conversational matter, students will be able to think about aspiring future goals, who they trust to help with those goals, time line and the awareness of the struggles that can occur while trying to achieve those goals.

Resources:

Presidents' Day: A Life Lesson for Students | Edutopia 

Letters to the President: Make It a Student Tradition | Edutopia 


Teach Social-Emotional Learning for Better Schools, Safer Neighborhoods | Edutopia

SEL For Moments in Crisis

Everyone can experiences off day, but its how we react to tough times that shape who we are. There are many steps educators and parents can take to help during any healing process.

  1. Communicating and incorporating mental health checkins that reflect on positive aspect of their day and how they are currently feeling.

  2. Consistity and routine can help students during changing times!

  3. Incorperating self-care plans that allow students to feel like they are in control!

Please checkout the article written by Cathleen Beachboard, that discusses more in detail about these interventions!

Focusing on Student Well-Being in Times of Crisis | Edutopia - One teacher recommends supporting student safety through three Cs: communication, consistency, and control.

Check out these Resources:

A Toolkit for Students in Crisis | Edutopia-- An elementary school assistant principal shares a few ideas for how to help students calm down and regain self-control.

What’s the Role of Teachers in Supporting Student Mental Health? | Edutopia -- As student mental health issues reach crisis proportions, schools and teachers are playing a larger role than ever providing support. Is it too big an ask? 

How School Leaders Can Support Teachers During Times of Crisis | Edutopia-- After two difficult years, teachers need support from administrators more than ever, but providing the right support is key.

Students Taking Action Together, STAT book is out!

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Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our new podcast featuring Dr. Adam Lekwa

Upcoming SEL Day: Uplifting Hearts and Connecting Minds

#SELDay!

SEL Day is just around the corner and this year’s theme is Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds. SEL day is a day dedicated to promoting and advocating SEL in schools and communities! Social emotional learning is a way of teaching that helps facilitate an environment for students and children to grow socially and emotionally. SEL Day is a great way for educators and SEL advocators to get together and spread the positive influences SEL can have on everyone! What are your goals for SEL Day? How do you uplift hearts and connect minds!!

Make sure to register for SEL Day! Click here to register!!!

What is SEL and how is it important?

SEL stands for social emotional learning, which is a method of teaching that helps strengthen the five learning competencies and

SEL has five core competencies: self mangement, self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision making, and relationship skills! These core competencies help build and streghten skills needed for healthy future relationships and goals.

Social emotional learning is essential in helping shape young minds and teaching children how to communicate, manage emotions and use critical thinking to solve problems!

How is Our Team Recognizing SEL Day?

Isabella, Tiktok

I’m Isabella and I run the SECD Lab TikTok. I have been promoting SEL Day through a short video describing what the purpose is and another video where I interviewed other lab members, asking them why they are a part of the lab, why they support SEL, and what they are looking forward to for SEL Day. Join SEL4US and The Urban Assembly on March 10 for SEL Day! This year, the theme is uplifting hearts and connecting minds, we hope you or your organization join the movement to support social-emotional learning! SEL Day allows people worldwide to show how they support and implement social-emotional learning in their communities. Last year, we had around 10 million views from around the globe, we hope to gain even more interest in SEL Day in order to create a larger community. 


Maham, Twitter and Pinterest

My name is Maham, I run the Twitter and Pinterest accounts for SECD Lab. Through these platforms, I have been promoting our lab and our current projects, as well as sharing resources related to SEL day for our followers. SEL Day is a great opportunity for educators, organizations, and any interested individuals to learn more about social-emotional learning! Prior to the SEL day summit on March 10th, SEL4US will be launching the first ever National SEL Week. All week long, we invite you to celebrate and promote SEL through videos, blog posts, social media, your choice! Our focus this year is on uplifting minds and connecting minds, an insightful topic that can prepare us for what currently may seem like a polarizing society. SEL day continues to grow bigger and better every year, and we are excited to see what this year will bring.

Lena, SECD Lab Highlights

Hi everyone! My name is Lena and I help out with the SECD Lab website, specifically the Lab Highlights! I wanted to create a blog post that describes what SEL day is and the importance of SEL Day. This year's theme is uplifting hearts and connecting minds. SEL day is a great way to celebrate the importance of social and emotional learning! Even as a college student, I continue to grow while learning more about Social Emotional learning, even implementing some SEL interventions in my day to day life as well! SEL is not only for students, but for anyone who is willing to learn about it!

Louise, Podcast and SB Team

I’m Louise, I’m a second year MAP student and hopeful future clinician. I work with the SECD On Demand! Podcast and play a role on the South Brunswick team evaluating SEL in the Arts. Through these positions, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing from teachers, students, and other experts in the field. From their stories, I’ve learned that social and emotional learning is something we’re doing all the time. If we can add structure to that learning process, we might be able to yield faster and better results. SEL in the classroom gives us the opportunity to set kids up for success and a future they self-determine and actualize. SEL is a box of tools that help us all form connections and experience life to its fullest

Ashley, Instagram

My name is Ashley and I am mainly responsible for our Instagram page! This year, I hope to gain more engagement on our social media platforms by delivering effective and research-based SEL intervention skills and knowledge to children, teenagers, parents, educators, and community leaders so that we can champion a better future with synergistic efforts. On SEL Day, I aim to spread the word about SEL through social media by creating educational content, local media, and sharing across the networks. We are inviting everyone to participate in SEL Day to promote the importance and benefits of children's social-emotional development! 

Pranita, Academy Newsletter Spotlight Interviews

Hi! My name is Pranita, and I’m an undergraduate sophomore. I am currently in charge of the Academy Newsletter Spotlight Interviews. I am excited to be able to talk to and connect with experts in the field of SEL to learn about the current work and research they are currently carrying out. I am able to learn more about recent advances related to current SEL programs within specific communities in different contexts. I would love to increase awareness of SEL, and I am so excited for everyone to experience SEL Day! It’s a great experience to learn more about SEL and some interesting work going on in the community as well as its significance.

Registration Links for SEL Day!

Taking Stock and Facing the Future: A Discussion on the State of SEL

Join David Adams, CEO of Urban Assembly and SEL Day co-chair in conversation with SEL-field co-founder and Rutgers University Professor of Psychology, Dr. Maurice Elias, and CASEL’s CEO, Dr. Aaliyah Samuel. We don’t know where we’re going if we don’t know where we’ve been and this discussion will reflect on the exponential uptake of SEL over the last few decades, the current state of the field, and what comes next. Our speakers will discuss timely field priorities such as supporting SEL implementation quality; paths to developing state-wide support; effectively advocating for SEL; and building bridges of understanding across lines of disagreement and difference to continue to expand the diverse national coalition of SEL allies.

SPEAKERS

  • David Adams, CEO, Urban Assembly

  • Aaliyah Samuel, EdD, President and CEO, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

  • Maurice Elias, Ph.D., Leadership Team, SEL4US; Director, Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab; and Co-Director, Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools

Register for SEL Day to access the Zoom link for the Summit: Register here

Join us for an SEL4NJ Summit on SEL Day!

SEL4NJ and its partner organizations will be presenting a special SEL Day Summit on March 10, 2023 from 11 am to 4 pm Eastern time.  The event will be hosted online and will feature six presentations about the benefits of social-emotional and character development in schools and in life.  Sample topics will include the new NJ School Climate Improvement Platform, a panel discussion with grantees from our New York Jets scholarship program, SEL and the Arts, shaping a positive school environment with SECD, SEL in everyday curriculum and instruction, and providing connections and networking for school improvement.  

Click Here to Register!

Click Here to view Summit schedule and session descriptions!

How is our team spreading awareness about SELDay!

Stay Connected with Us!

To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

Check out our new podcast featuring Dr. Adam Lekwa

November 2022 at the SECD Lab

Hope everyone had a wonderful wrap to their November month and a safe holdiday. Earlier in November, the SECD Lab had the pleasure to be present at the New Jersey Education Association Convention! The NJEA Convention is held in the Atlantic City Convention center. The NJEA Convention is where hundreds of professional development seminars, workshops and programs to help educators are held.

Our team was able to set up a booth and prompt SEL!

Upcoming Webinars and Other Events:

Check out Rutgers page designated to registering for webinars such as, SEL and Equity 101. A list of upcoming webinars are listed with a brief description of the topic and the link for registering.

Webinars and Other Events

Students Taking Action Together, STAT book is out!

Photo retrieved from National Education Association

The Week of November 13 to 19 is dedicated to American Education Week. American Education week is important because is recognizes the importance of public education and to show support to our educators and staff. Educators all over the world are shaping young minds! Being able to incorporate SEL strategies that will integrate empathy and compassion among students and colleagues will help create stronger trust and relationships.

Based on Taylor Hausburgs article, “SEL Audits Reveal Hidden Dimensions of Teaching and Learning” an example of an SEL audit would be a teacher starting every morning thanking her students for being there. This helps with enforcing “social and emotional minutes of gratitude”(Hausburg 2022)

Resources:

Students Take Action in the Community | Edutopia

The Secret to Creating Effective School-Community Partnerships | Edutopia

Benefits of Service Learning for High School Students | Edutopia

Election Day!

Election Day is an annual day were general selections for federal positions are taken. As we get older, we tend to here that people do not want to vote. However our votes matter and if we start with targeting social and emotional skills, we can increase future voter outcomes. A new study shows that programs that rienforced SEL practices had higher likelihood of voting later in life.

The study could be found below!

Childhood Skill Devolpment and Adult Political Participation

Giving Thanks and Showing Gratitude

Gratitude is defined as a quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and return a kindness. By spreading and practicing gratitude, we would better regulate our emotions, cope with stress and improve relationships. (Rowells 2022)

As described in Laine Rowell’s article on Cultivating a Culture of Authentic Gratitude, 4 ways to show gratitude are:

  1. Make positive phone calls home

  2. Write an open letter of gratitude

  3. Leverage social media

  4. Use gratitude journals/jars

Not only are these gratitude practices great for students, but they are impactful to adults as well!

Resources:

Encouraging a Sense of Gratitude in Students | Edutopia

Habits of Heart: Helping Students Reflect and Act on Gratitude | Edutopia

3 Gratitude Practices That Don't Involve Journaling

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October 2022 at the SECD Lab

Hope everyone had a wonderful wrap to their October month. Here at the SECD Lab, we are striving to spread awareness on a multitude of topics, such as Mental Illness awareness week, National Friends of the library week, and many more. October is a month dedicated to National Prevention Bullying month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We encourage viewers to preview some of the readings provided below.

STAT BOOK IS NOW OUT!

A new book containing the teaching strategies of the STAT curriculum is now available for pre-order from ASCD.

Order  here: New STAT Book Now Available for Order! — Rutgers SECD La

Mental Illness Awareness Week 10/1-10/7

Mental Illness awareness week is to be celebrated between October 1 and October 7. It was created to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. Mental illness is defined as mental health disorders that care a wide range of mental health conditions such as disorders that affect mood, thinking and behaviors. A few examples of mental illnesses are depression anxiety schizophrenia bipolar disorder and more.

In high school, There are around 1 in 5 l students who have considered suicide in the past year. There is a stigma that sucicde is supposed to look a certain way, hoover it

When it comes to mental health and mental illness in boys and men, there is a stigma that not talking about your feelings encourages masculinity. When a child is unable to express their emotions in a health manner, this may lead to outburst and possibly violence. It is essential to incorporate and create safe spaces for young boys to connect, help students make connections with one another, and build an empathetic school culture.

Emphasizing the importance of understanding mental illness and creating safe spaces for communication can save a life!

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

More resources emphasizing the importance of Mental Illness Awareness Month

 

National Domestic Violence Awarnanwess

In the year 1989, October was deemed National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is defined as aggressive and violent behavior within the home, usually abuse between partners/spouse. Dating/domestic violence refers to a relationship or one partner is trying to manipulate or gain power over another partner. Domestic violence can be physical abuse but it can also be emotional, sexual, and economic abuse. Dating Violence refers to violence in a relationship where the two parties are not married and typically refers to younger couples.

Rutgers University was able to compile a few facts on Dating/Domestic Violence:

  1. 1 in 3 college women and 1 in 10 college men may be victims of sexual dating violence.

  2. An average of 28% of high school and college students experience dating violence at some point.

  3. Nearly 1 in 3 adult women experience at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood.

  4. The rates of domestic violence in same-gender relationships is roughly the same as domestic violence against heterosexual women, about 25%

If you or someone you know is expericing Dating/Domestic Violence, you are not alone.

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233

National Friends of the Library Week 10/16-10/22

October 16 to October 22 is dedicated to national friends of the library week, which is celebrates the contributions of friend groups across the world. National friends of the library week encourages and is dedicated to celebrate the positive impact people have on their libraries and their communities.

One of Social Emotional Learning Compentcies is responsible decisions making. Responsible decision making is defined as learning how to make reasoned descsions after identifying a problem and analyzing the data:

A few book for grade levels Pre-school to Grade 2 that demonstrate making choices are

  1. 88 Instruments, by Chris Barton, illustrated by Louis Thomas.

  2. Charlie Chooses, by Lou Peacock, illustrated by Nicola Slater.

  3. Choices, by Roozeboos.

  4. The Favorite Book, by Bethanie Deeney Murguia.

  5. I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference, by Mark Shulman, illustrated by Serge Bloch.

  6. This or That? A Story About Choosing, by Kell Andrews, illustrated by Hector Borlasca.

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To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

 

September 2022 at the SECD Lab

September 2022 - Back To School Month

Welcome back to school! Back to school month is usually very exciting for the kids, the parents and the teachers. After two long years being online, its exciting to be back in the classroom and interactions with our fellow classmates! There are some things to keep in mind, such as still maintaining social distances, ensuring open flow of communication with parents, incorporating Social Emotional Learning in the classrooms and overall having a wonderful school year! Here at the SECD Lab, we wanted to provide some back to school tips and how to make this year spectacular!

What is SEL?

SEL stands for Social emotional Learning and is used to help teach students mange their emotions themselves and create positive behaviors that can be used in the future.

Social emotional Learning has 5 compentienes:

  1. Self-Awareness,

  2. Self Management,

  3. Social Awareness,

  4. Relations skills

  5. and Responsible Decision Making.

Social Emotional Learning is essential for facilitating positive behaviors and helping with a students academic achievements!

Please check out this article on How social-emotional learning became a frontline in the battle against CRT

 

Teacher-Parent Communication Strategies

Communication is one element that is essential to healthy relationships and decrease any confusion that can occur.

Parent-teacher communication can be challenging but studies suggest that with more parentantal involvement in a students academics, the more academic gains the child can have. We wanted to share a few tips to help.

  1. Opening reliable Channels of Communication

  2. Add a personalized touch, such as embedding a introduction video in emails!

  3. Your child in a million words or less. Teachers would ask care-givers to tell them everything she would need to know about their child, any restrictions, etc.

  4. Establish back and forth communication: Encouraging healthy exchange of information between parents and teachers.

Check out the article for more tips:

Teacher-Parent Communication Strategies to Start the Year Off Right | Edutopia— By prioritizing communication with families at the start of the school year, educators can foster strong parent engagement, break down barriers, and provide support for all students.

 

Meaning-full Questions Guardians Should Ask

The best part of healthy communication between student and teachers, Guardian and teacher, Guardian and student, is an increase engagement in school and higher academic achievements.

If you are a first time Guardian, or someone who’s not sure how to involve yourself in a students academic career, here are some questions that could be asked:

To the Teachers:

  1. Do you focus on strengths or weaknesses?

  2. How exactly is learning personalized in your classroom? In the school?

  3. How do you measure academic progress?

  4. What are the most common instructional or literacy strategies you will use this year?

  5. How will you respond if or when my child struggles in class?

  6. How is education changing?

For more tips, check out : Parents: 19 Meaningful Questions You Should Ask Your Child's Teacher | Edutopia

Back to School Resources:

Distance Learning Strategies to Bring Back to the Classroom | Edutopia—When schools closed, teachers were forced to get creative—and they’ve learned things they can use when they’re back at school.

Back to School Stress: Establishing Good Habits | Edutopia—

Teachers: 5 Ways to Ease Back into School | Edutopia—

Next Generation Learning: Bringing Student Agency Back to Schooling | Edutopia— The internet has enabled students to follow their passions toward self-directed learning. How can we, as educators, fold that learning back into their schooling experience?

Back-to-School Night: The Ultimate Conversation Starter for a Successful School Year | Edutopia— When establishing that first contact with parents on back-to-school night, start the year right by being transparent, direct, and consistent.

Summer Prep for Back to School: Resources for School Leaders | Edutopia— Explore resources from Edutopia and the web that support school leaders -- including principals and other administrators -- as they guide school communities into a new school year.

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August 2022 at the SECD Lab

August 2022 at the SECD Lab!

Here at the SECD Lab, we are counting down the days for Back to School! The month of August is declared International Peace Month! We wanted not only to celebrate peace within SEL and classrooms, but advocating for peace national and internationally. We also wanted to spread awareness for National Smile week and many more!

Our very own, Dr. Elias had the opportunity to present for NJ Early Care and Education Alliance about the social and Emotional impact Covid-19 has had on Young Children.

“Emotional vocabulary is more than word recognition. It shapes how children see the world. If one only knows black and white, one will not be able to see and appreciate all the colors that there are in the world.” (Dr. Maurice J. Elias, PH.D)

Check out the presentation here, as well as more presentations in our Resources Tab!

International Peace Month

International Peace month was first declared by Democratic Peace Conference in Germany during 1926. Although intended for different reasons, International Peace month is now celebrated throughout the month of August  to strengthen our concept of peace and to help others understand that one's present day mistake will be followed by more  peaceful days. 

As we approach a new school year, many students and parents may experience levels of stress and anxiety. We wanted to ensure that all students feel safe in their new environments and provided some resources that will help with managing stress and emotions, so every morning can start off with mindfulness and peacefulness!

To help promote the importance of International Peace Month, we've provided you with some resources below! 

What Brain Science Teaches Us About Conflict Resolution | Edutopia–When a teacher noticed her kids fighting at recess, she turned to neuroscience and mindfulness practice to help them take control of their emotions.

Silence as a Co-regulation Strategy in the Pre-K Classroom | Edutopia–During tense situations, young children can learn to regulate their emotions when teachers calmly sit with them—using zero words at first

A Toolkit for Students in Crisis | Edutopia–An elementary school assistant principal shares a few ideas for how to help students calm down and regain self-control.

Starting the Day With a Calming Routine

How Short Breaks Help K-12 Students and Teachers Find Their Calm | Edutopia–Exercises that help young students who’ve experienced trauma transition into the school day in a relaxed and ready state

Self-Regulation Strategies for Young Students–An occupational therapist offers simple exercises for helping students from preschool through fifth grade manage their energy and emotions.

National Smile Week !!

National Smile week is celebrated the second week of August. The goal of National smile week is to try to do things that make us smile and to do random acts of kindness. As we get older, we tend to stress over many external factors, however if we learn at a young age to express ourselves and feel comfortable seeking help, we can reduce that anxiety and stress. For example, teachers are dedicating 60 seconds each day for students to talk about someone who is close to them! This encourages students to learn how to build trust and help with vulnerability in future relationships! 

In Honor of National Smile week, we celebrated in august and wanted to spread more kindness and ways smiling helps increase ones mood!

Here are some Resources: 

Cultivating Community With Smiles and Frowns– A simple activity helps students feel more comfortable sharing details of their lives, a foundation for a strong classroom community.

A Sense of Security Is Key for Students–A warm smile can go a long way toward helping a middle or high school student who is struggling academically.

Friendly Fridays Teach the Art of Kindness | Edutopia–During weekly creative time, students get to know each other—and learn the value of making others smile.

A Culture of Kindness in Early Childhood Classrooms-Encouraging kindness in the early grades helps children develop behaviors that have value far beyond their school years.

A Daily Ritual That Builds Trust and Community Among K-12 Students | Edutopia-An activity that encourages students to open up about a person close to them can bring a whole class together in profound ways. 

Using Dance to Promote SEL Skills-Bringing dance into the classroom with simple exercises can help elementary students develop social and emotional learning skills.

Making Prosocial Behavior Contagious in Classrooms | Edutopia

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To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

July 2022 at the SECD LAB

JULY 2022 at the SECD LAB

Schools out and here at the SECD Lab, we are working hard to spread awareness throughout the month of July and prepare for the upcoming school year! As we concluded our seventh month at the lab, we wanted to make every week worth it and celebrate the different types of awareness. July is coined to be Purposeful Parenting Month, but with every week, we emphasized the importance of PTSD Awareness day (June 27), Global Forgiveness Day (July 7th) and more!

STAT BOOK OUT IS NOW OUT!!! ORDER TODAY! 

A new book containing the teaching strategies of the STAT curriculum is now available for pre-order from ASCD.

Purposeful Parenting Month!

Created by SECD Instagram Manager Ashley Qiu

Purposeful Parenting Month 

Purposeful Parenting Month is celebrated to emphasize how parenting can provide opportunities for learning and growth, while understanding that time and situations can change. Purposeful parenting can be done in small acts, such as talking about your day before bedtime! Purposeful Parenting is essential to a child's social-emotional development and can help encourage empathy and kindness! 

Although July is dedicated to Purposeful Parenting Month, purposeful parenting should always be integrated in your everyday life. Purposeful parenting offers opportunities for improved relationships, social growth, increased health behavior and more!

To help promote the importance of purposeful parenting, we've provided you with some resources below on how to incorporate purposeful parenting and how its beneficial!

RESOURCES:

Parents: Make Bedtime a Social-Emotional Moment with Your Kids | Edutopia —Emphazies the importance of Bedtime routines with children on Social Emotional Deveolplment

Nurturing Kindness in Young Children | Edutopia — A leading researcher argues that kindness is innate and has developed a curriculum to strengthen prosocial behavior.

A Parent's Resource Guide to Social and Emotional Learning | Edutopia — A curated list of articles and videos for parents about fostering skills like kindness, empathy, resilience, perseverance, and focus in children.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Week!!

PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress disorder and is defined as  a disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. Many times people associate post traumatic stress disorder with war veterans, however it can be diagnosed in any who suffers from experiencing traumatic experiences. We wanted to spread awareness and shed light that not all wounds are visible and acknowledge people who battle with PTSD everyday.

In Honor of PTSD Awareness Day, which is June 27,2022, The beginning of July was dedicated to spread awareness to what PTSD is and how we can help.

More Resources:

World Listening Day:

Created by SECD Instagram Manager Ashley Qiu

What Does Good Listening Look Like in Elementary and Secondary Students? | Edutopia –Sitting completely still with eyes on the teacher doesn’t work for all students, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t paying attention.

The Value of Active Listening | Edutopia –A look at a set of communication skills that can help teachers achieve productive outcomes in conferences with students or their parents.

Teaching Students How to Have Meaningful Conversations in Middle and High School | Edutopia –This crucial life skill improves with classroom practice—and many students may benefit from a refresher.

How to Bring Listening Circles to Your Class | Edutopia–To enhance classroom culture, use a listening circle to build respect, deepen trust, and share humor. Prompt your students thoughtfully, and record your observations afterward.


How to Help High School Students Develop Empathy | Edutopia–Writing exercises, opportunities for cultural exchange, and encouraging active listening can lead to more empathy among teens.

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To keep up to date with our lab on a day to day basis, please go follow our social media accounts! We are on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook, and Pinterest. We also have a podcast titled, SECD On Demand! Check it out wherever you may listen to your podcasts!

New Articles on STAT and Culturally Responsive Education

Two new articles by SECD Lab researchers have been published in the 2022 issue of the NJPSA’s Educational Viewpoints journal! The first discusses how the instructional strategies of Students Taking Action Together (STAT) can help fulfill the moral and civic purpose of public education. The second discusses how educators and administrators can join culturally responsive education (CRE) with social-emotional learning (SEL) practices to improve schoolwide and student outcomes.

Please see below for PDFs of each article:

School Leaders Can Bend the Arc of Justice: Students Taking Action Together Strategies That Inspire an Engaged School Climate (Laura F. Bond, M.Ed., Lauren M. Fullmer, Ed.D., and Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D.)

Culturally Responsive Education: Essential and Connected to SEL (Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D.)

 

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