Social-Emotional Learning

At The Oaks, we believe strong relationships are the foundation for growth. Social-emotional learning (SEL) supports students by building skills like self-awareness, resilience, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.

Our SEL focus includes buddy programs, co-creating classroom agreements about respect and responsibility, restorative problem-solving discussions, and developing emotional awareness with vocabulary to express feelings. These experiences help students grow both socially and academically.

Social-Emotional Development in Action

Buddy Program

Our buddy program is one important way we support the students’ ability to build relationship skills. Students work in partnership throughout the year, collaborating on projects and playing together. This is an important leadership opportunity for the older grade students who look forward to being role models and a source of support for the younger students, including those that are just beginning their journeys at The Oaks. These relationships span the test of time as families often stay in close contact, for example the sixth grade and Kindergarten buddies reunite six years later for a Buddy Reunion when they are seniors in high school and sixth graders, respectively. Cross-grade collaboration and relationship building continue throughout a student’s time at The Oaks and, often incorporate academic units of study and service learning projects.

Building Compassion

Through our use of SEL, students learn early on that their voice matters and that they can be advocates for themselves and others. It is through the building of relationships and having meaningful interactions with others that we gain a fundamental respect and understanding of the world. Promoting a warm environment of inclusivity and respect helps to foster compassion in our students who can emerge as a new generation of leaders in a multicultural world.

Growing Together Through Collaboration

Learning in a social and collaborative environment allows for sharing thoughts, ideas, and words. We stretch our thinking by putting thoughts – fully formed, half-formed, or just budding ideas – into words. The opportunity for richer understanding and innovative problem solving exists when learning is social and collaborative. Different perspectives give room for comparing and contrasting ideas, words, and methods where problems can be solved in a number of ways. Students learn to respect and value the contributions of each team member, as well as skills for resolving conflict when they arise.

Our teachers also model collaboration through collaborative teaching and creating interdisciplinary lesson plans in conjunction with specialist teachers. Core subjects are integrated with the special subjects of art, music, library, physical education, and STEM/Maker.

Resources

In alignment with our love for learning, we are sharing a few different resources for your further exploration of SEL and the multitude of ways it connects to child development. Enjoy!

Visual: CASEL’s SEL Framework

Podcast: Abolitionist Teaching Network's “Teaching to Thrive,” episode 1 with Rosalynne Duff

Article: “Four Ways to Plan for Social-Emotional Learning and Anti-Racism in Early Elementary”

Article: “Why Social and Emotional Learning Is Essential for Students”

Multimedia: What Is Social-Emotional Learning?

Video: Social and Emotional Learning Explained: How SEL Helps Students in College, Career, and Life