It wasn't that long ago that "bad behavior" was often seen as a character flaw. Students who acted out were labeled as troublemakers, and the focus was on punishment rather than understanding the root cause of their actions. Now, we recognize that challenging behaviors are often a signal - often of things that lie beneath the surface. They might indicate a student is struggling with anxiety, frustration, or difficulty regulating their emotions. My son, who is autistic, faces challenges with emotional regulation. This, too, can be true for the many neurodivergent students we receive in our classrooms. This shift in perspective is crucial because it allows us to move away from punitive measures and towards support and intervention.
Reshaping Our Classrooms
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| Calm Corner at the beginning of the year. |
So, how has SEL reshaped our classrooms? It's not just a curriculum or a set of lessons; it's a fundamental change in our approach. We're now prioritizing creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel seen, heard, and understood. We're teaching them explicitly about emotions, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills. We're fostering empathy and encouraging them to develop a growth mindset. And most importantly, we're building strong relationships with our students, creating a foundation of trust that allows for open communication and effective support.
So, how does this look in my classroom?
My 2nd graders have benefited tremendously from our "Calm Corner." It's a designated space where they can take a break, regulate their emotions, and then rejoin the class ready to learn. I've been so pleased to see how readily and effectively most of my students have used it. At the beginning of the year it starts pretty minimally - just a few physical and visual tools. Throughout the year, we collaboratively build and refine the space, adding additional tools and visuals as specific needs arise. Each addition is introduced and discussed beforehand, ensuring the students understand not only how to use the individual tools but understand the overall purpose of this special space.
In this space there is one tool, in particular, that is so helpful for students to not only express their feelings, but be able to communicate effectively about them.
The Think Sheet: Reimagined
One of the most powerful tools that has emerged in this SEL-focused landscape is the "Think Sheet." While the concept might seem simple, its impact can be transformative. Think Sheets provide a structured way for students to reflect on their behavior, identify their feelings, and understand the connection between the two. Instead of simply reacting to a situation, students are guided through a process of self-discovery.
The Think Sheets I've created include prompts that encourage students to:
- Describe what happened: This helps them objectively recount the situation without assigning blame.
- Identify how they were feeling: This is crucial for building emotional awareness. Often, students act out without fully understanding what's driving their behavior.
- Consider what they could have done differently: This encourages problem-solving and the development of alternative strategies.
- Think about how their actions affected others: This fosters empathy and perspective-taking.
By working through a Think Sheet, students begin to understand that their feelings influence their choices. They learn that they have the power to manage their emotions and make different decisions in the future. This is a powerful realization that empowers them to take ownership of their behavior and develop valuable self-regulation skills.
Think Sheets aren't a magic wand and won't solve every single circumstance, but they are a valuable tool in our classroom. They provide a framework for meaningful conversations with students and offer a tangible way for them to develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence. When used consistently and with empathy, these Think Sheets can be a catalyst for positive change, helping students learn and grow both academically and emotionally.
As educators, we are constantly learning and evolving, and the integration of SEL and tools like Think Sheets represent a significant step forward in creating classrooms where all students can thrive and belong.
