The Self Nurtured TeacherTM
The Self Nurtured TeacherTM
True SEL (aka Social Emotional Learning) happens all day everyday for EVERYONE. News Flash… we’re all a work in progress which is why it’s so much better to practice our skills together…in and out of the classroom!
With February 2022 here, it’s a good month to turn up the SEL magic to connect to yourSELf and others! Here are some ways you can use the power of social emotional learning with already established themes and days that are NOT Valentine’s Day. Take a look:
Although Black History is history, and should be celebrated all year, this month highlights the important contributions that black people have made and continue to make. Take the time this month to go deeper into learning about and discussing Black history and culture.
I loved studying black inventor Lonnie Johnson during this time with my kindergarten students! He’s the inventor of the super soaker and he’s still alive, which is fun for young learners. Lonnie has an amazing story of determination that highlights never giving up on what you love and your dream, even when the obstacles seem too great.
I integrated our science unit on the engineering cycle with Lonnie Johnson’s process to create his super soaker and other inventions before working for NASA.
Here’s the children’s book that I used to talk about Lonnie Johnson:
A stressful, unwell lifestyle contributes to heart disease. Heart disease is the number 1 killer for women. As teachers, you can work on your wellness and healthy lifestyle at school. I know that may seem impossible to think about, however starting slow and building healthy habits will begin to create change. For instance, start by getting to bed 10 minutes earlier each night. Or, drink 1 cups more water each day and slowly add more as the habit is created.
Here are some specific days in February to practice connection to self and others that go beyond Valentine’s Day:
Nazma Khan launched the first World Hijab Day on February 1st, 2013. Nazma is a Muslim woman who lives in New York. She wanted to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting all women to experience the hijab for just one day. Even though this day is past, include stories that represent all students (not just the ones in your room) to learn a global perspective and for those students to feel valued and appreciated in a different way. Here are some of my favorites.
This feeds right into social awareness and relationship skills. There are many wonderful books that can be a focus for this day, which happens to fall on a Friday. What if you had a Friday Frienship Day? You could set up some centers that focus on friendship skills or activities.
Here are some books to read the week leading up to make a friend day:
As a teacher this is something you can do in your classroom along with your students to crreaste a culture of positive self talk, even when things get hard or you fail. This leads to a growth mindset.
Try some affirmation activities with your students after reading some wonderful children’s books that focus on positive self talk. I Am Enough Affirmation Activities includes a list of I Am books links that you can use along with YouTube readings.
In my teaching of equality and inclusion, this day is about community in my classroom. We did not exchange Valentine’s because not everyone velebrates or can afford it. We did make notes together that day to each other and had special community building learning activities. It’s ok to rethink the traditions and make something memorable for all students.
Everyday kindness is what I strive for, and yet…we all know how easy it is to get caught up in our own ‘stuff’. Make this day about an intentional act to do something out of the norm for yourself (and your students). Check out the Random Acts of Kindness Day website for some ideas!
February is a great time to re-engage with yourself and your student’s social emotional development. I also believe that putting your focus into the relationships and anchor points that February provides keeps things into perspective. There are many ways to be distracted with all the negative nature in education (and many other areas of life). Take this time to remind yourself of the opposite narrative of the situation. You have control over your choices and how you respond to the things happening around you.
