Social Emotional Learning (Grade 1)

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In Norfolk Public Schools, we believe that students’ social and emotional development is a vital part of their educational experience. Supportive classrooms help children grow academically, socially, and personally. In first grade, students continue building their social and emotional skills in a supportive environment where learning and collaboration go hand in hand.

Core Resources

Open Circle

Open Circle helps students learn strategies for managing emotions, developing healthy relationships, and solving social problems in positive ways. They practice respecting individual differences and working as members of a supportive classroom community. Students are also introduced to lessons on bullying prevention and conflict resolution through the Second Step Bullying Prevention Unit, helping them learn how to respond respectfully and safely in social situations.

Secondary Curricular Resource: Aperture Lessons

Aperture Lessons are short, teacher-led learning experiences designed to strengthen specific social-emotional skills identified through the classwide DESSA-mini screening. When results show that students may benefit from support in areas such as self-management, relationship skills, or decision-making, teachers can use Aperture Lessons to provide focused, developmentally appropriate instruction that builds those competencies. These interactive, practical lessons are easy to integrate into daily routines and help students practice key SEL skills in meaningful ways.

Units by Term

SEL, Term 1

Beginning Together
Bullying Prevention

Unity Day (This lesson helps students understand the importance of showing kindness, acceptance, inclusion and standing united against bullying.)

Managing Ourselves

Identity Lesson (This lesson helps students explain what identity is and describe aspects of their identity and others'.)

SEL, Term 2

Managing Ourselves (continued)

Everyone's a Helper (This lesson helps students understand the concepts of strengths, struggles, and what it means to help.)

Strengthening Relationships

iCare: Ability Awareness (This lesson helps students understand what a disability is, learn about differing abilities, and the importance of including everyone.)

How to Sort Problems

SEL, Term 3

Problem Solving

What is Empathy? (This lesson explicitly teaches students to be more conscious of other people’s feelings to create a more accepting and respectful school community.)

Report Card Standards

Competency in these report card standards are the end-of-year goals.

Learner Qualities:

Identifies and communicates feelings and needs
Demonstrates self-control
Works independently
Manages transitions and adapts to changes in routine
Sustains attention to task
Follows classroom rules and routines
Participates in class activities
Listens carefully and follows directions
Cooperates and interacts well with others
Makes appropriate choices about personal behavior