The 2007-2010 GEMSS Grant was able to provide Woodland Primary with a Second Step Curriculum box for every classroom. Second Step is a violence prevention program that integrates social and emotional learning with academics. Teachers use the research-based program to teach engaging lessons and activities that focus on developing essential social skills, such as empathy, emotion management, problem solving, and cooperation.
Below are some pieces of Second Step that WPS students learn in the classroom. We encourage parents to talk to their students about this program and the tools they are learning in the classroom. The language and techniques being taught can be used at home as well as at school.
Calming Yourself Down
- Stop and think.
- Ask yourself: How does my body feel?
- Try taking three deep breaths, counting backward slowly, thinking calming thoughts, or talking to yourself.
What to Do When You Are Angry
- Ask yourself: How does my body feel?
- Try to calm down by: Taking three deep breaths, counting backward slowly, thinking calming thoughts, or talking to yourself.
- Think out loud to solve the problem.
- Think about it later. Ask yourself: Why was I angry? What did I do? What worked? What didn't work? What would I do differently? Did I do a good job?
How to Solve Problems
- What is the problem?
- What are some solutions?
- For each solution, ask yourself: Is it safe? How will people feel about it? Is it fair? Will it work?
- Choose a solution
- Is it working? If not, what can I do now? (go back to step 4)