Page 16 - Primary and Lower School

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Social-emotional
LEARNING
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM
In the spirit of community building, Gulliver has begun implementing “Responsive Classroom” in homeroom, a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach to teaching that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness. This positive approach models the behaviors we want students to exhibit in school in a guided, structured and supportive environment.
Through consistent and supportive conversation, the students’ confidence in their classroom community increases and they are more comfortable taking risks and sharing their ideas in the group. These skills carry over when the students work with their teacher to problem-solve situations that arise and discuss ways to work together and develop strategies to solve challenges.
SECOND STEP PROGRAM
In order to build a school and classroom community and to support students navigating their feelings and relationships, Gulliver has adopted the Second Step Program. This program proactively teaches skills to students so they are equipped with the language to identify the feeling, the language to talk about the situation, and strategies to support a resolution.
In addition, students learn mindfulness techniques, such as belly breathing, to calm themselves down when a challenge arises. Families are made aware of these techniques through parent communication, which is provided by Second Step and shared through the classroom portal or communication folders.