Aug 29 / Teach for Wellness

August Wellness Newsletter

WATCH: Igniting Lifelong Learning: SEL and Academic Integration

Thinking about how to create space for authentic SEL in your classroom this year, while also prioritizing academic content and instruction? Check out CASEL’s 3-part webinar series to learn about research and practices that will set you up for success this year.

Movie Guide on the Side: Inside Out and Inside Out 2

Pixar’s Inside Out 2 was all the rage this summer, and both movies in the franchise are great tools to help students understand, respond to, and learn about their emotions. Check out this guide to bring content your kids care about into the classroom while also teaching concrete SEL skills.

Apply now! Designing School Wellness Leadership Task Force

As a part of Teach for Wellness, the Designing School Wellness Leadership Task Force will collaborate to answer the question, “What does it mean to teach for wellness?”

We ’re seeking educator-leaders to help design and finalize a brand new Teach for Wellness Framework and create tools for a toolkit that will ultimately support schools, teachers, districts, and communities in creating safer and more effective learning environments for young people.

Applications will be viewed on a rolling basis until Monday, September 23rd at 12:00pm. Click here to apply, or share the opportunity with this link: http://tinyurl.com/WellnessTaskForce.

While it’s pretty common for educators to kick off the year by asking, “What did you do over the summer?”, remember that for lots of kids, summer looks different than weekly camps, family vacations, and trips to the beach. As you work to build relationships, keep in mind that time off from school doesn’t feel safe and fun for all of your students, and guide your class towards discussions that create space for all family experiences and situations.

Try using questions that help you learn about students, their families, and their interests, but that don’t highlight disparities in your classroom community.

Who is someone special you spent a lot of time with during break?
What is the yummiest thing you ate this summer?What is something you didn’t do this summer that you wish you did?
What’s one thing you’re excited about now that we’re back at school?
What is something you enjoy that you spent time on this summer?

Lastly, consider the medium for sharing, and adjust accordingly to build in extra safety. While class conversations can be great, maybe have students journal their responses for an added layer of privacy, and invite them to share, via writing or drawing, anything they’d like you to know about their summer.

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