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�Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL) – Circle Solutions

What is SEL?

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is SEL?

The Collaborative of Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is an organisation based in the United States. They were formed in 1984 and brought together a multidisciplinary network of teachers, researchers and child advocates who were passionate and committed to children’s SEL.

https://casel.org/about-us/

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is SEL?

“Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” (CASEL 2020)

What stands out for you in that statement?

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What is SEL?

CASEL’s Framework for SEL identifies five core social and emotional competencies (self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making) that can be taught and applied throughout developmental stages and across diverse cultural contexts.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Our Social and Emotional framework at Lutheran School talks about 3 major competencies, emotional regulation, learning identity and relational skills and empathy with students starting to receive regular feedback on these.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Benefits of evidence-based SEL programs

According to research of SEL in schools, students who received high-quality, evidence-based SEL programming demonstrated:

Improved academic performance
Improved attitudes and behaviours: greater motivation to learn, deeper commitment to school, increased time devoted to schoolwork, and better classroom behaviour.
Fewer negative behaviours: decreased disruptive behaviours, aggression, delinquent acts, and disciplinary referrals.
Reduced emotional distress: fewer reports of student depression, anxiety, stress, and social withdrawal. (CASEL)

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What does a SEL based classroom look like?

A supportive classroom climate helps students to feel emotionally safe, part of a community of learners, motivated, and challenged. This type of environment creates a strong foundation for students to engage fully and take academic risks. This includes: community-building, belonging and emotional safety, and student-centred discipline.

The key to this is the relationship developed between

the students and teacher.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What does a SEL based classroom look like?

2. The integration of SEL into academic instruction weaves academic learning with opportunities for students to practice and reflect on social and emotional competencies, such as perspective-taking and developing a growth mindset. For example, teachers might incorporate partner and group activities that promote relationships, communication skills, and effective teamwork.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What does a SEL based classroom look like?

3. The use of explicit SEL instruction provides consistent opportunities to cultivate, practice, and reflect on social and emotional competencies in ways that are developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive.

We are starting on a journey with this, by now being more intentional and strategic with the use of zones of regulation, restorative conversations and practices, and social circles to support our students with this.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

What are we currently doing at Lutheran School, Wagga Wagga to support SEL?

Developed a SEL framework continuum for K-6 students
Started to develop some SEL assessment rubrics for some learning tasks
Use of Restorative Practices across the school
The use of the Zones of Regulation K-6
In 2022, the introduction of Circle Solutions for student wellbeing with professional learning provided via the Association of Independent Schools and the Deputy

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Circle Solutions for Student wellbeing

Watch the YouTube clip, what are your observations and thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbpBmQjd918

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Student Wellbeing vs Pastoral Care/Welfare

Please understand that Wellbeing is different from Pastoral care or welfare in schools. Welfare is a response to individuals who come to the attention of staff because their exceptional needs become apparent.

A focus on Wellbeing by comparison is universal and proactive. It is what is put in place for everyone.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Circle Solutions for Student Wellbeing

The aim for all students in Circles is to take responsibility for the emotional climate of the class and to create a positive environment for learning.

An agreed framework of rules needs to be set up in Circle Solution time.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Circle Solutions for Student Wellbeing

Circle Solutions operates on the ASPIRE principles. ASPIRE stands for Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect and Equity

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Agency – What it means in practice in Circle Solutions

Everyone has the chance to speak
Students are given activities that encourage reflection, discussion and positive action
The pedagogy is based on asking searching questions
Teachers are in charge of proceedings but try not to control students, instead giving them options and responsibility

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Safety – What it means in practice in Circle Solutions

No personal competitions
Students discuss issues never incidents
Discussion is more important than the correct answer
The third person is used rather than the first
Students may choose not to speak and may ‘pass’ for as long as they wish

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Positivity – What it means in practice in Circle Solutions

Activities are solution focused – what do we want to happen, what works, what helps?
Identify personal strengths and class qualities – how can we build on those?
Playfulness and humour are valued
Activities are presented often as games
Positive emotions are fostered – have fun!

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Inclusion – What it means in practice in Circle Solutions

All activities are collaborative – students talk and work together
Students are regularly mixed up and work with students from outside their social circle
‘Pair share’ are a regular feature of Circle Solutions
Clear guidelines are set up to maximize continued inclusion for students who do not conform to the guidelines

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Respect – What it means in practice in Circle Solutions

Everyone has the opportunity to speak/contribute
One person speaks at a time and the others listen
A ‘talking stick’ may be used to show whose turn it is to speak
Contributions are kept short
There are no ‘put downs’ with words, gestures or expressions

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Equity– What it means in practice in Circle Solutions

Students and teachers sit in a circle so that all participants are at the same level and everyone can see everyone else
The teacher participates in everything the students do
Teachers model what is expected of students
Everyone has a voice and the opportunity to participate
This may requirement adjustments for some students

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

When we are running a circle /solution time the teacher thinks about setting a Learning intention and Success Criteria.

Parent activity 1:

Think about what has been the highlight of the year for you to date.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Parent activity 2: Pair-share activity

With your partner, tell them about a particular hobby or interest that you have. Partner will then share with the circle.

Learning Intention/ Success Criteria?

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Belonging – What ASPIRE principle does this belong to ?

Pair-share and sentence completions

Learning Intention: For students to consider what makes for a happy and safe class for themselves and everyone else.

Parent activity 3: Work in pairs and think of 2 answers you both agree with that you can feed back to the circle.

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Pair-share and sentence completions

We feel welcome in this class when….

Everyone feels supported in this class when…

When we are having a hard time it helps when…

When someone invites us to join a game we feel…

When people offer to help us we feel…

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Lutheran School Wagga Wagga�Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Let our SEL journey continue with our students in 2022!