This month the ASCD magazine is focused on social-emotional learning. This is truly the bread and butter of everything at Harrison. Students need to have their needs met, feel safe, and know that they matter. Social-emotional learning helps to build a positive school climate and culture. One piece is empathy. It is well documented that lack of empathy is a red flag for possible later involvement in the juvenile court system.
This first article is a great reminder of the importance for building a classroom community that feels safe and welcoming. Morning meetings might take time out of instruction, but they are dividends earned later:
Dignity in the Classroom
This is a great resource. It is long, so you might print and read later. Most of the ideas mentioned are strategies you are already using during the school day as you work with children:
Nine Competencies for Teaching Empathy
Thought for today:
