Tomorrow is SEL Day! SEL stands for social-emotional learning. Examples of social-emotional topics include identifying feelings and managing emotions, making friends and keeping the friends we have, solving the problems we face and setting goals. On SEL Day, school communities across the globe come together to celebrate the importance of social-emotional learning.
At Moretown School, we are celebrating with a whole-school read and discussion of the book Swimmy by Leo Lionni. You can check it out here: Swimmy (Mr. Paulson Reads) and here: Swimmy (VHS Tapes). Each student will decorate their own Swimmy fish. These fish will be combined to create a mural of a large fish, akin to what happens in the book and representing our commitment to fostering a supportive, caring community. We are also celebrating our school community by wearing RED. In addition, a quick SEL activity will be posted on the classroom Seesaws and Google Classrooms. Complete the activity with your child and learn a little about the SEL work they are doing in wellness classes. Towards the beginning of the year, I like to connect with every student. This typically takes place through a "lunch bunch" group. I meet with groups of students during lunch, we chat and sometimes play a game. The sole purpose of these groups is to reconnect after the summer, or meet for the first time! I work with the classroom teachers to create these groups. Sometimes we meet during snack time, a "snack bunch" (definitely a less catchy name!).
Another great hike! Nice job, MECA hikers. Next stop, Wu Ledges (10/25).
Interested in learning how to practice deep breathing with your child? If so, check out Deep Breathing Exercises for Kids! It's a great resource with numerous deep breathing exercises and related craft projects. It also provides a kid-friendly review of the benefits of taking deep breaths.
Another great adventure! Nice work, hikers! This Friday the MECA Hiking Club is hiking Sunset Ledge with its beautiful view of Lake Champlain. Thank you, again, to our photographer, Jeremy Hill.
Last Friday, the MECA Hiking Club went on their inaugural hike to Hunger Mountain. The hikers did an amazing job! I was impressed by their grit and perseverance on what is long, difficult hike. Here I will post pictures from each hike. This is a sample of the photos taken (thank you, Jeremy Hill!).
At Moretown, kindergarten students are learning how to be a good friend. We started with Fox Makes Friends, about a young fox who learns how to make friends by being together and helping each other. Next, we will brainstorm other ways to make and keep friends. Picture books are a great way to teach kids how to be a good friend. For inspiration, check out the following book list: The fifth and sixth graders are learning about citizenship and how to be a good citizen. After defining citizen and community, we explored how we are members of multiple communities. We also used picture books to inspire us to be good citizens. Talk with your children about they can be a good citizens at school, in their community and at home.
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Jason StevensonSchool Counselor - Avid Hiker - Reader - Lego Enthusiast Archives
January 2024
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