SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

WHAT IS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND WHY IT MATTERS

Social and emotional learning is a process of building awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing relationships and making responsible decisions that support success in school and in life. It helps students with the basics, like getting along with others and getting through the school day effectively. More than two decades of research on social and emotional learning shows strong benefits for students, including increased academic performance, improved classroom behavior, increased ability to manage stress and depression, better attitudes about themselves, others and school and improved lifetime outcomes.

The Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5395 in 2020 requiring all school districts to provide social and emotional learning curriculum in kindergarten through third grade by the 2022–23 school year.



 THE CURRICULUM K-8: SECOND STEP
WHAT ARE THE TOPICS COVERED IN THE LESSONS?

The Second Step digital program includes four full units of weekly, age-appropriate lessons for kindergarten through eighth grade. The interactive, teacher-led units include five 15- to 30-minute lessons. The last lesson of each unit is a performance task in which students demonstrate evidence of their learning.

 THE CURRICULUM 9-12: CHARACTER STRONG
WHAT ARE THE THEMES COVERED IN THE CURRICULUM?

The Character Strong curriculum includes 25 unique digital sessions at each grade level for grades 9-12, facilitated by classroom teachers once a week.

The Character Strong curriculum includes the following themes:

  • 9th grade: Belonging
  • 10th grade: Well-being
  • 11th grade: Engagement
  • 12th grade: Leadership

LESSONS

How often will social and emotional lessons be taught?

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