First Day of School Introduces Social-Emotional Learning to Middle School Students

For the last two years, the first day of school for middle school students has been about introducing students to social-emotional learning (SEL). “Instead of having students go through a regular academic day,” says teacher Allie Stine, “we decided to have them engage in a day of SEL work. Students in eighth grade started their day in their advisories and then made their way to the retreat for leadership training and bonding. The sixth and seventh graders participated in a series of interactive lessons in their advisory groups.” Sixth graders worked on team building, including through creating silent tableaus and playing improv games. All of the activities were followed by “meaningful conversations about self-awareness, collaboration, and vulnerability,” explains Ms. Stine. Seventh grade students worked on creating academic, social, extracurricular, and family goals for themselves for the school year. Seventh graders also showed appreciation for one another in another SEL activity.

 

“By the end of the day,” adds Ms. Stine, “students felt confident and ready to take on the 2018–19 school year!” MORE PHOTOS