Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances a student's ability to succeed in school, career, and life. Children learn these skills in a variety of ways, including the behavior they see modeled by the adults in their lives, but SEL lessons can also be taught explicitly in the classroom in much the same way as other subject areas.
Our SEL curriculum teaches students skills to:
- Control impulses
- Communicate clearly and assertively
- Maintain cooperative relationships
- Make responsible decisions
- Solve problems effectively
- Recognize emotions in oneself and others
- Manage strong emotions
- Have empathy for others
Our elementary SEL curriculum is Second Step from the Committee for Children. It has a strong evidence base and includes engaging age-appropriate educational games, activities, and media and aligns with the Washington State SEL standards. Every elementary classroom has 20 minutes of SEL time built into their daily schedule. SEL classroom time consists of Second Step lessons and group activities.