Second Step is a social-emotional learning curriculum that St. Vincent de Paul Parish School is applying school-wide this year. This program is designed to help students build skills for success both in and out of the classroom.
St. Vincent School has been teaching and practicing social-emotional learning for many years, but the Second Step program provides a uniform guide that everyone is able to access. This program allows teachers, staff, students and families to use the same language when talking about feelings and empathy. By using Second Step, students can build their confidence and competence to make good decisions, manage emotions, and take on learning challenges.
The Second Step program promotes emotional well-being, academic success and positive behavior – skills that can be used throughout the students’ lives, inside and outside of the classroom. Second Step builds on itself and evolves as the students move from PreK through 8th grade.
The four main units of study in the elementary school are Growth Mindset and Goal Setting, Emotion Management, Empathy and Kindness, and Problem-Solving. In the middle school, the four units of study are Mindsets and Goals; Recognizing Bullying and Harassment; Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions; and Managing Relationships and Social Conflict.
At St. Vincent de Paul, these Second Step lessons have been added to the monthly virtue and Schoolwide Learning Expectations. By combining all of these teachings, students are able to grow not just spiritually, but also emotionally and socially.
Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Parish School
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