ELEMENTARY SCHOOL the college school
Social and Emotional Growth At The College School, we know full well that school is about more than academics. In order for children of any age to succeed academically, they also need to be socially and emotionally confident, have interpersonal skills, and know how to persevere through challenging situations. In the elementary grades, these social and emotional skills are taught in two ways. First, they are taught through direct instruction with specific activities, lessons, and objectives in mind. Second, the lessons taught are interconnected with thematic and academic studies. Our experiential education approach is an ideal environment to help children develop their social skills.
First Grade In First Grade, children build identities as students. Through increased expectations, they grow their independence and sense of responsibility. That responsibility is not only for themselves, but it is also a responsibility to their class community. The class starts every day with a morning meeting to overview the plan for the day and also to address any class issues or concerns that may exist. The adventure education component in First Grade culminates with students’ first overnight experience, which is a major celebration and testament to the social and emotional skills they have developed throughout the year.
Second Grade In Second Grade, with students further in their transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” they assume even more responsibility for themselves and for their class community. They also start each morning in a class meeting to prepare for the day. The Social and Emotional Curriculum is influenced by Michelle Garcia Winner’s work in social thinking. Second Grade’s campout, adventure days, and full days spent at the LaBarque Campus are also an ideal environment for the teachers to work on social-emotional learning.
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