Social Emotional Learning (Grade 4)

Second Step

In fourth grade, students continue with the Second Step program, which emphasizes strategies for self-management, respectful communication, and responsible decision-making. They practice applying these skills in group projects and daily classroom interactions. Instruction also includes lessons on bullying prevention, digital citizenship, and conflict resolution, helping students learn how to navigate peer relationships with care and respect both in person and online.

Secondary Resource: Aperture Lessons (DESSA)
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.

The following units are from the Second Step Curriculum. We added some supplementary units that are aligned to Second Step as well as some Freeman Kennedy SOAR lessons. Those lessons are listed within their units below.

Second Step Units for SEL, Term 1

• FK Specific: S.O.A.R - Safety

• Growth Mindset and Goal Setting

• FK Specific: S.O.A.R. - Ownership

• Bullying Prevention

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

Second Step Units for SEL, Term 2

• Emotion Management 

All about ME! (This lesson helps students explain what identity is and describe aspects of their identity and others'.)

• FK Specific: S.O.A.R. - Acceptance

• Empathy and Kindness 

 

SEL Units, Term 3

• Empathy and Kindness (continued)

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

• FK Specific: S.O.A.R - Respect

• Problem-Solving

• Aperture Lessons Based on Student Need

  • Can include: Self- Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision Making, Optimistic Thinking

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

Learner Qualities:

• Demonstrates self-control
• Begins, sustains and completes tasks independently
• Manages transitions and adapts to changes in routine
• Accepts responsibility for own actions
• Participates effectively in class activities and groups
• Demonstrates expected grade-level organizational skills
• Self-advocates
• Cooperates and interacts well with others
• Makes appropriate choices about personal behavior
• Considers the impact of personal decisions on others