Tuesday November 17th, 2015

This article relates well to our students. We know that it is hard for students to grow with academics, if they are struggling with social and emotional needs. Students are solving academic problems during the school day. They need to also be learning how to solve real life problems, such as with peers. How to get along with others, kindness and empathy, will be applied to all future situations. This includes school, future careers, and their families. As the article states, we need students to be emotionally healthy. The article below about teaching peace in elementary schools mentions these five goals. Time spent on these, is more time earned for academic learning:

   •Self-awareness: The ability to reflect on one’s own feelings and thoughts.

   •Self-management (or self-control): The ability to control one’s own thoughts and behavior.

   •Social awareness: The ability to empathize with others, recognize social cues and adapt to various situations.

   •Relationship skills: The ability to communicate, make friends, manage disagreements, recognize peer pressure and cooperate.

   •Responsible decision making: The ability to make healthy choices about one’s own behavior while weighing consequences for others.

Teaching Peace in Elementary School


This quote made me laugh. This is why we haven't replaced our carpets in several years. Extended day and extended school year works. We have seen the positive results with our students, academically and the whole child. We also have carpets to prove it. We can replace them later: