A Slice of SEL

We discuss a blog post by a high school ELA teacher and her three tips for boosting student engagement. (1:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:00) Tip #1: Find out what's trending. (9:00) Tip #2: Get to know your students. (12:15) Tip #3: Give students choices as often as you can. (14:30) Takeaways.

We discuss how to apply a few of the strategies shared by Scott Ervin, "The Kid Whisperer," who achieved astonishing feats of classroom management as a teacher and then became nationally recognized for his adaptations of Love & Logic. (4:10) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (5:45) Nic shares some of the prefaces about the tips that he got to hear Scott share live + he shares some perspective on behavior strategy jargon. (9:50) Tip #1: The Confused Eye. (10:55) Tip #2: Contraband Tap. (14:25) Tip #3: The Assumption of Intelligence. (16:15) Tip #4: Statement of Fact. (17:45) Bonus Tip: "The Perfect Intervention" AKA an "Indirect Prompt". (20:00) Tip #5: Quick question - ‘What should you be doing?’ (23:10) Takeaways.

How can we help students to identify and live by positive values like respect, responsibility, compassion, determination, and integrity? (0:45) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:00) We talk about the overlap between "collective values" and the 3-5 shared behavior expectations that each of our schools have established. (4:50) We share examples of embedded questions that guide students to reflect on values during ELA or social studies. (5:30) We discuss the difference between that integrated discussion about values vs. dedicating time to this discussion during explicit SEL instruction. (8:30) We talk about the importance of providing students with examples of values in order to build vocabulary. (11:30) We talk about how values related to the five SEL competencies. (15:45) Takeaways.

Students are struggling emotionally, and several of our schools are scaling up the practice of emotion check-in rituals. In this episode, we highlight a phone-based tool ideal for middle- and high-school students + share all the tips and tricks that will help schools avoid potential pitfalls. (2:55) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (4:45) We describe some Mood Meter check-in practices that may be familiar, such as the GIF Mood Meters. (8:05) We describe how our new phone-based interactive Mood Meter works and how it originated from collaboration with one of our high schools. (12:50) We begin sharing tips, tricks, and potential pitfalls regarding the digital Mood Meter. (15:00) We share a great tip from one of our elementary schools. (18:15) We share more tips and tricks re: the digital Mood Meter. (24:00) We chat briefly about how this digital Mood Meter can be used in ELA or social studies classes while teaching content. (25:30) Takeaways.

Students are more likely to engage when they can see the connection between learning content and their interests, goals, and passions. But how do we make that happen? This week, we're talking about a worksheet activity that is an excellent starting point. (3:05) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (6:15) We describe the contents and structure of the worksheet. (9:15) We talk about when and how often to facilitate this activity. (10:30) We talk about the usefulness of the pre-completed examples for each core content area, and we also share advice about the benefits of showing students examples from previous years and/or completing the activity yourself and sharing it with students. (17:25) Takeaways.

Peer feedback can save teachers time, promote engagement and belonging, and better prepare students for the workforce. This week, we talk about the crème de la crème of tips and tricks that teachers have generously shared. (1:45) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:30) What does peer feedback have to do with the Beatles, the workforce, and the coach of the New England Patriots? (8:00) What benefits can teachers expect from well-constructed peer feedback rituals? (9:10) Tip #1: Setting ground rules and holding students accountable. (11:45) Tip #2: Assign feedback partners. (14:10) Tip #3: Offer choices and sentence starters. (16:15) Tip #4: Model what quality feedback looks like. (18:10) Tip #5: Aim for reflection, not correction, and begin with low-stakes work. (21:10) Takeaways.

We're back! In our first episode of the 2021-22 school year, we're talking about how teachers can integrate social emotional learning into all content areas by asking questions with intention. (2:05) What's filling our buckets? (4:45) We give a few examples of the types of questions we're discussing + Angela reviews the 5 SEL competencies. (8:20) Why is SEL integration into academics so crucial to actually achieving results? How does the overlap between the 5 SEL competencies and the 16 habits of mind help teachers to become more intentional with their questions? (13:30) We chat about a series of example questions, sharing ideas about what SEL competencies they're promoting. (28:00) Takeaways.

In our final episode of the 2020-21 school year, we revisit the topic of integrated SEL instruction—weaving SEL into academic instruction—but with a twist! This time, Nic gets to quiz Ry and Court about what SEL standard a specific academic activity is supporting. Who will come out on top?! (2:15) What's filling our buckets? (4:15) We dive into the quiz game and play until Courtney or Ry reach 10 points. (27:30) Takeaways.

This week, we're covering a highly-requested training topic for the three of us: verbal de-escalation techniques. (2:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) We introduce our topic and talk about situations where verbal de-escalation is useful. (7:45) We share a bit about our experiences using verbal de-escalation strategies. (10:15) We talk about things that can make-or-break your success with verbal de-escalation: your non-verbals and your relationship with the student. (13:15) Praise or empathy statements. (17:15) Reality statements. (18:45) Coupling statements. (23:15) Choice statements. (24:45) Offering a calm down break. (26:15) Takeaways.

This week, Courtney gets to share about her experiences with class meetings as a high school teacher. This is a great approach for collaboratively solving problems and keeping your class climate positive. (1:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:30) We introduce our topic and compare class meetings to family meetings. (5:30) We interview Courtney about her experiences with class meetings and the why/how/when of class meetings. (27:45) Takeaways.

Need some easy, fun, flexible, and repeatable games and activities that you can pepper into your SEL instruction? This week, we walk through five go-to options that Nic developed and refined over a two year period. (2:45) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (5:30) We offer a bit of context about these activities, such as where they can fit in the MTSS framework and how they can work with different SEL curriculums. (8:45) #1 - Matching Game — AKA "Apples to Apples for SEL." (17:20) #2 - Decision Making Scenarios. (24:45) #3 - SEL Skill Projects. (31:00) #4 - Comic Strip Worksheet. (35:30) #5 - Movie/TV Show Scavenger Hunt. (38:15) Takeaways.

This week, we were lucky enough to be joined by David Jackson, School Social Worker, to talk about Motivational Interviewing (MI) and his experience using MI during Truancy Prevention Meetings. (2:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (4:00) David shares about who he is, what he does, and his first exposure to MI. (8:30) We talk about why, when, and by whom MI is used in schools. (11:15) David shared about the main ingredients of MI and the spirit of the practice. (14:00) We talk through the main tools of MI: the OARS. (23:30) David explains what "change talk" is and how we evoke it using MI. (26:30) David walks us through a Truancy Prevention Meeting protocol from Pine City that involves MI. (30:30) We talk about the relationship between MI and Restorative Practices. (33:00) David shares advice about potential pitfalls with MI and how to handle them. (38:30) We talk about the pre-meeting and follow-up aspects of a successful Truancy Prevention Meeting. (43:15) Takeaways.

This week, join us for a buffet of tips put together by teacher Elizabeth Mulvahill! (1:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:35) We dig into the 25 tips. (26:15) Takeaways.

This week, we're talking about the buzzword "mindfulness." What the heck is it? Is it any good? How do you do it? (1:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:30) We answer the question: "What the heck is mindfulness?" (7:30) We chat briefly about the research on mindfulness practices. (9:45) We explain how to do a few mindfulness techniques, such as body scans, anchoring to your breath, and the STOP technique. (13:45) Takeaways.

This week we're explaining the features/similarities/differences of several tools that schools use to foster emotional intelligence (e.g., Yale's Mood Meter, the Zones of Regulation, the 5 Point Scale, the emotions wheel). (1:15) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:30) We talk about why emotional intelligence is critical to student success. (5:40) Simple lists of emotional vocabulary words. (6:45) Yale University's Mood Meter. (10:45) The Zones of Regulation. (14:00) The 5 Point Scale. (15:45) The emotions wheel. (18:30) We share about how these tools are used in schools day-to-day: embedded into academic learning, ritual mood check-ins, and de-escalation. (25:10) Takeaways.

We conclude our five-episode series on integrated SEL instruction by talking about many examples of activities that teachers can use during academic instruction to promote SEL. In this episode, we focus on the Responsible Decision Making competency and associated benchmarks. (2:00) What's filling our buckets? (3:30) We introduce the topic and explain how integrated SEL instruction works. (5:45) Grade K-3 benchmarks and activity examples. (10:45) Grade 4-5 benchmarks and activity examples. (18:15) Grade 6-8 benchmarks and activity examples. (24:45) Grade 9-12 benchmarks and activity examples. (31:15) Takeaways.

We continue our five-episode series on integrated SEL instruction by talking about many examples of activities that teachers can use during academic instruction to promote SEL. In this episode, we focus on the Relationship Skills competency and associated benchmarks. (1:45) What's filling our buckets? (3:00) We introduce the topic and explain how integrated SEL instruction works. (4:45) Grade K-3 benchmarks and activity examples. (10:15) Grade 4-5 benchmarks and activity examples. (16:00) Grade 6-8 benchmarks and activity examples. (22:15) Grade 9-12 benchmarks and activity examples. (29:15) Takeaways.

We continue our five-episode series on integrated SEL instruction by talking about many examples of activities that teachers can use during academic instruction to promote SEL. In this episode, we focus on the Social Awareness competency and associated benchmarks. (1:55) What's filling our buckets? (2:45) We introduce the topic and explain how integrated SEL instruction works. (4:35) Grade K-3 benchmarks and activity examples. (8:45) Grade 4-5 benchmarks and activity examples. (12:50) Grade 6-8 benchmarks and activity examples. (16:30) Grade 9-12 benchmarks and activity examples. (20:45) Takeaways.

We continue our five-episode series on integrated SEL instruction by talking about many examples of activities that teachers can use during academic instruction to promote SEL. In this episode, we focus on the Self-Management competency and associated benchmarks. (1:30) What's filling our buckets? (3:00) We introduce the topic and explain how integrated SEL instruction works. (5:00) Grade K-3 benchmarks and activity examples. (8:00) Grade 4-5 benchmarks and activity examples. (14:00) Grade 6-8 benchmarks and activity examples. (18:00) Grade 9-12 benchmarks and activity examples. (27:00) Takeaways.

We talk through many examples of how teachers can integrate SEL into academic instruction throughout the school day. In this episode, we focus on the Self-Awareness competency and associated benchmarks. (1:15) What's filling our buckets? (3:30) We introduce the topic and explain explicit vs. integrated SEL instruction. (5:45) Grade K-3 benchmarks and activity examples. (11:15) Grade 4-5 benchmarks and activity examples. (16:45) Grade 6-8 benchmarks and activity examples. (21:30) Grade 9-12 benchmarks and activity examples. (28:30) Takeaways.

We pause our self-care series to chat about student engagement. We explain a three-part "formula" that will help you design engaging learning experiences, even during distance learning. (2:30) What's filling our buckets? (4:45) We talk about what we control vs. influence re: student engagement and where we should focus our energy. (10:45) We explain why it's important to light the "inner fire" of intrinsic motivation. (16:10) We overview the three-part formula for intrinsic motivation. (19:00) Part A: Help Them Belong (32:00) Part B: Help Them Care About the Content. (37:00) Part C: Help Them Feel Successful. (41:30) Takeaways.

This week, we talk about how our energy can be drained by burdens we're carrying that we're unable to control or influence — and what we can do about it! (1:30) What's filling our buckets? (4:30) Introduction to the "spheres of control" concept and how it relates to our resilience. (7:15) We walk through a process that you can use to reflect on your stressors/complaints/concerns and figure out how to use your energy where it counts. (12:30) We share stories of how the "spheres of control" concept has been relevant to our own resilience. (21:30) Takeaways.

This week, we talk about how to cultivate emotional resilience by listening to the stories we're telling ourselves and learning to "talk back" and reframe unkind or unhelpful ones. (1:15) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (2:45) We talk about Elena Aguilar's book 'Onward' and what advice she shared about emotional resilience for educators. (6:45) What do the stories we tell ourselves have to do with "mindfulness"? (9:15) We talk about how our interpretations of events increase or decrease our resilience. (11:00) We explain several types of unhelpful stories to watch out for. (15:00) We offer four kinds of "talk back" questions that we can use when we're telling ourselves a negative story. (16:45) Takeaways.

Taking a few deep breaths or counting to 10 can help us pump the breaks on our stress temporarily, but the tornado of angry or anxious thoughts in our heads is going to hit the gas pedal again unless we can "get it out." This week, Ry, Courtney, and Nic talk about how to hit that pressure release and experience the relief that comes with saying or writing down what you're thinking and feeling. (1:15) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) Intro. to topic. (7:30) "Name it to tame it" with the Mood Meter app. (13:00) "Talking it out" with a caring listener. (18:00) "Writing it out" with a journal or notes app. (19:30) Takeaways.

Stress is hard on the body (e.g., tense shoulders, heart speeding up, etc.) and to help us manage it, we need habits we can stick to. In this episode, we explain five ideas, and we recommend you start with one. (2:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (4:15) We explain our five tips. (20:30) Takeaways.

We kick off a series of episodes focused on educators’ self-care, wellbeing, and resilience. (2:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (4:30) We talk about stress and validate what educators are experiencing right now: “I’m drowning” makes sense when you’re stretched thin, routines are constantly upended, and your body is soaked in stress hormones. (15:15) We talk about the “wellness wheel” that helps educators to prioritize where they need to change their self-care habits. (28:00) Takeaways.

We conclude a two-part conversation about what SEL is. During this episode, Ry, Nic, and Courtney cover a lot of ground and review all of the essential practices that schools can focus on to support Social Emotional Learning. (1:30) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) Brief recap of "the why." (6:15) Overview of the "six buckets" of SEL practices. (9:00) Bucket #1: SEL Instruction. (14:45) Bucket #2: Supportive Classroom and School Climates. (23:00) Bucket #3: Supportive Discipline. (29:30) Bucket #4: A Continuum of Integrated Supports. (34:00) Bucket #5: Educator SEL. (35:45) Bucket #6: Stakeholder Partnerships. (39:00) Takeaways.

This week, we begin a two-part conversation about what Social Emotional Learning is. During this episode, the team focuses on how SEL practices are designed to benefit students and adults. (2:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (3:45) We discuss the research on how SEL benefits students and adults. (14:30) We explain each of the five SEL competency areas. (26:00) Takeaways.

We talk shop about rituals and routines that adult teams can use (during meetings or trainings) to support mental and emotional engagement. (3:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (5:00) Introducing the 3 signature practices and the Playbook resource we discuss during the podcast. (10:45) Welcoming inclusion activities. (14:30) Engaging strategies. (19:30) Optimistic closure. (21:00) Takeaways.

In our first episode, Ry, Nic, and Courtney chat about team norms/community agreements. (4:00) "What's filling our buckets?" segment. (7:00) Why are team norms so important? (11:15) What's a good process for agreeing on them? (16:45) How can we make sure our team follows our norms?