Social-Emotional Learning Best Practices
PBIS
Tier 3: Select
From zero-tolerance policyto restorative practice
Not punishment-oriented
Tier 2-Some
Tier 1-AllPrevention
Intervene before unwanted behaviors escalate
Positive school climate initiatives (antibullying, mental health clubs)
School-wide good behaviour recognition programs
Establish classroom expectations for routines and behaviours
Effective instruction and classroom management
Clear, immediate and consistent consequences for problems
Firm and fair corrective discipline
Not punishment oriented
detention/suspension/expulsion
only removes student from environmentno consideration of student
Instead: Restorative(relationships, environment)
talking circles
peer juries
actions: listen, understand, respond
aims: respect, accountability, healing
Everyday practices
When reading, discuss how characters might feel
Assign students role, task, responsibility to build self-worth/efficacy
Teach growth mindset: Respond positively to mistakes/failures
Teach mindfulness exercises
breathing
Attune to 5 senses
Normalize/routinize journaling
SE Learning Circles
SE Check-Ins
Teacher self-care
Rejuvenate and Refresh
Trauma
Examples
Acute trauma(maybe easier to identify)
accident
medical procedure
victim of crime
Chronic trauma
domestic violence
Complex trauma(multiple, ongoing events)
abuse, neglect
living with alcoholism, substance abuse
financial, food, housing insecurities
Affects
hypersensitive to stimuli(light, sound, event)
Academic performance:difficulties with language, communication, info processing
Regulate emotions: difficulty expressing/managing emotions, over-respond
Relationships: unhealthy attachments, hard to form bonds
Teacher mindset
Continuous learning about trauma
From "bad student"to "behaviours trying to soothe emotional dysregulation"
From "What is wrong with this child?"to "What has happened to this child?"
Guiding Principles
Safety
from students' perspective
Trust
not keeping secrets, not withholding info
Between all stakeholders
Peer support
create chances for deep mutual connection
Collaboration
Empower others
Sensitive to cultural, historical, etc. issues