Counseling Corner

SOAR lessons are based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies. From November to March, we will highlight a different competency in our newsletter. Self-Awareness is the first CASEL Competency

Self-Awareness is the understanding of our thoughts, emotions, and values. This includes recognizing our strengths and limitations while being able to acknowledge how they influence our behavior.

These capacities could include (cited from CASEL's website):

• Integrating personal and social identities
• Identifying personal, cultural, and linguistic assets
• Identifying one’s emotions
• Demonstrating honesty and integrity
• Linking feelings, values, and thoughts
• Examining prejudices and biases
• Experiencing self-efficacy
• Having a growth mindset
• Developing interests and a sense of purpose

Source: What is the CASEL Framework? Interactive CASEL Wheel

• We will learn what a thought is and how these thoughts can affect how we feel.
• We will extend this topic by talking about clues our face and body show to tell how we are feeling.
• We will also learn what it looks like to follow the Group Plan.
• We will finish the month by talking about using our eyes to communicate with others.

• We will focus on developing strategies to regulate our emotions when we are in the Red, Yellow, and Blue Zone.
• Students will explore the topic of gratitude and who in the building and in their lives they are grateful for.
• At the end of the month, we will focus on being a Social Detective when they are figuring out problems with friends.

• We will continue our unit on the Zones of Regulation by exploring the Blue, Yellow, and Red Zones.
• We will identify how we look and feel in each zone.
• We will also brainstorm strategies that help us regulate when we experience an uncomfortable feeling.

• We will conclude our review of the Zones of Regulation by discussing the Blue and Yellow Zone and identifying individual strategies for each Zone, including positive self-talk.
  
• We will discuss what it means to be a "flexible thinker" and discuss how flexible thinking helps us manage our emotions and respond to conflict.

• We will focus on identifying emotions and self-regulation techniques when they are in the Red, Yellow, and Blue Zones.
• Students will begin to talk about Healthy Friendships and what these look like in our lives.

• We will learn about the negative consequences of gossip and rumors.
• We will also discuss friendship choices that can lead to cliques and choosing friends that make us feel good.

• Kindergarten:
• Ernie's song "Do What I Do"
  
• "The Group Plan" by Michelle Garcia Winner et. al

1st grade:

• "Little Spot of Feelings" by Diane Alber
• Kid President "Gratitude" video

2nd grade:

• "A Little Spot of Sadness" by Diane Alber
  
• "A Little Spot of Anxiety" by Diane Alber

3rd grade:

• "The Reflection in Me" video by Fable Vision (YouTube)

4th grade:

• "In My Heart" by Jo Witek

5th grade:

At this time, no books or additional media will be used in this month's lessons.

Mrs. Tori Dore (grades K, 1, and 4)

Email: vwintersdore@walpole.k12.ma.us

Phone: 508-660-7374, ext. 5615

Mrs. Jessica Simpson (grades 2, 3, and 5)

Email: jsimpson@walpole.k12.ma.us

Phone: 508-660-7374, ext. 5615