The Elementary Guidance Assistant Program is a school-wide program designed to teach social-emotional skills in the classroom. The program uses an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum called Second Step to focus on four areas: Skills for Learning, Empathy, Emotion Management and Problem-Solving. The lessons are taught by either our Guidance Assistant or by the teacher. Home Links may be sent home to reinforce these lessons at home.
These are the four units within the Second Step curriculum:
- Skills for Learning lessons help empower our students with strategies to focus and be better listeners. Students will also learn how to be assertive and respectfully ask for help. Students focus on developing a growth mindset and learning that the brain grows the more you practice.
- Empathy lessons help students to understand that all feelings are okay, even when they are uncomfortable. Students develop the skills to understand how others feel by looking at different perspectives and to show compassion by saying kind words or doing something helpful.
- Emotion Management lessons help students understand and manage their feelings. This unit helps students recognize their emotions and practice how to stop and think before acting. Students will learn and practice tools to regulate their emotions and express them in socially acceptable ways.
- Problem Solving lessons help students navigate the complex world of interpersonal relationships. Students are empowered to solve their own problems with a variety of behavioral tools and to take responsibility for their own actions and make amends.
Positive Impact: Students that participate in the Second Step program often show higher academic achievement as they learn these important social-emotional skills. They are also more connected to their school and help to maintain a safe and respectful school climate.