SEL IN ACTION
JANUARY 2021
Message from District Leadership
At the start of every year, we always see articles, marketing campaigns, and reminders to create new resolutions and a “brand new you”. For 2021, I encourage everyone to start (or strengthen) their habit of reflection rather than drafting a brand new set of resolutions across our personal and professional lives.
Too often, we sprint through our days without genuinely reflecting on our successes (big and small), how we’re growing, and most importantly, if we’re leading lives that are connected to our individual identities, values, and aspirations. By saving time for reflection through individual journaling, using meetings or class time to discuss questions like, “What do I know now, that I didn’t know before?”, or considering what activities energize or drain our spirits, we become more self-aware of our strengths, emotions, and progress over time. Moreover, when adults model and guide students through regular reflection points, we give our students more opportunities to develop their own self-awareness, tap into their own wisdom, and understand how to ask for help or discuss their thoughts with others.
Happy 2021 to all of our educators, partners, students and families- may we continue to honor the wisdom in ourselves, each other (including our students), and our community.
- Pamela Lear, Ed.D.
Chief of Staff & Racial Equity Officer
This Month's Focus: Reflection
As we begin a new year, we'd like to share resources and information about the habit of reflection, which strengthens our self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision-making skills.
Reflection can take many different forms: brief optimistic closures at the end of a lesson or meeting, group activities to share out about your identity or discuss personal experiences, or even long-term activities like daily journaling or capstone projects to present your learning and reflection on the process. All forms of reflection are valuable!
Facing History Resource: Responding to the Insurrection at the Capitol
"This week’s news alone, including the historic results of the Georgia senatorial runoff election and the attack on Congress, is provoking a whirlwind of conflicting emotions among Americans, as many are simultaneously buoyed by the expanding representation in our government and disturbed, angered, and frightened by the attack on the halls of Congress and our democratic system of government. In the days following these events, students will need opportunities to feel and express their emotions as well as support in separating facts from misinformation and sharing the news responsibly."
Updated SEL Definition & Framework
- Visit's CASEL's website to review their updated SEL framework
SEL Implementation Guidebook
This is an excellent resource for those campuses starting their SEL implementation journey or other sites looking for resources to refine their SEL practices and campus-based capacity. The Guidebook is available either as a PDF or online as a website.
Additional Resources
CASEL Reflection Tool (For Adults)
CASEL has developed a personal assessment and reflection tool for educators to reflect on their personal SEL strengths within the five competencies (available in English and Spanish).
Student Engagement
Energy Check-In (For Adults)
SEL Reflection Prompts (For Students)
Reflecting on Remote Learning
Education Equity
Training & Learning Opportunities
On the same website, CASEL also shares recordings of past webinars including:
- A Five-Part Series on "SEL as a Lever for Equity"
- "Permission To Feel for Adults: Healthy Emotion Regulation During Uncertain and Stressful Times"
"Permission To Feel for Kids: How Adults can Support Children in Managing Emotions During Challenging Times"
"Return to School During COVID 19: Helping Children and Families Manage Stress and Build Resilience"
And many other topics!
Resources for SEL Explicit Skills Instruction
Sanford Harmony (Elementary School)
Random Acts of Kindness (Middle School)
Facing History and Ourselves (High School)
Family & Caregiver Resources
SEL Family Discussion Series
As part of the SEL Dallas partnership, join Dallas ISD’s SEL Department for a series of 1-hour family-focused virtual sessions to learn about social and emotional learning (SEL) and important SEL skills. Parents and caregivers are welcome to join any session or the entire series, and a Spanish translator will be available!
Upcoming sessions:
Session 3: Gratitude - January 13, 2021 (4:30-5:30 PM)
Session 4: Parent-Teacher Conversations (Time TBD)
Remember to register with our English registration form or our Spanish registration form.
A Reflection Moment: Rose, Thorn, and Bud
"Research has shown the benefits of practicing gratitude, naming life challenges, and the value of looking forward to something. Giving thanks can make you happier. Naming negative emotions is one way to make them more manageable. Looking forward to an event can bring happiness especially in the time leading up to it." (OSU.edu)
Mindful reflection questions for parents/caregivers to discuss with their children:
1. Were any of these (rose, thorn, bud) easier or more difficult to identify than others?
2. Did anything surprise you as you considered what your rose, thorn, and bud were?
3. How can we best support each other’s highs, lows/challenges, and goals?
One-Line Conversation Starters for Families
Parental Self-Reflection with Dr. Nicola Dugmore
Self-Reflection and Journaling
Sign Up for Our Upcoming Family Newsletter!
Parents and caregivers can submit their contact information via our sign-up form. We also have a Spanish version of the sign-up form as well!
Please share both language versions widely with any parents who may be interested in signing up for our family-focused newsletter!
SEL Dallas
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING DEPARTMENT
Email: SEL@dallasisd.org
Website: Dallasisd.org/sel
Location: 9400 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-925-8951
Twitter: @DallasisdSEL