I am fortunate enough to spend my days with elementary aged students. Being a Title I Specialist Teacher means that I teach every child in our building as well as develop programming that promotes student success, both academically and socially! What an honor to be trusted on such a large scale! Approximately 3/4 of my students live in poverty, thus all students are given free breakfast and lunch daily via federal funding. Also, around 50% of my students speak English as a second language.
Being a teacher at a Title I School opens up opportunities to serve students in unique and creative ways.
As part of my job, I help to develop school programming that fosters SEL; Social and Emotional Learning. I primarily do this through a weekly elective called "Life Skills" where all students attend a 40 minute session that focuses on a social/emotional topic, such as emotional regulation, self awareness, peer relationships etc. As Social and Emotional Learning is relevant for all, a Center For Poverty Research Study indicated that children of poverty suffer more severely when it comes to issues related to social and emotional management.
My Project
How lucky am I to be chosen to lead an elective in Social and Emotional Learning! Currently, I have a very traditional classroom set up with tables with seating for four students at each table. Most elective sessions host around 24 students. My lessons typically boast a Social Skills Story, Video Clip, Game/Movement Based Activity and "Mini Written Assessment." Although we do just fine at tables I feel that the subject matter that I teach (social and emotional learning) lends itself to being more effective if seated on a carpet for portions of the lesson.
How fun would it be to have "circle time" to share stories about emotions or self regulation techniques?
Also I can imagine "feelings charades" in a circle setting, sitting comfortably on the carpet. Short stories could be seen and enjoyed more while seated on a crisp new classroom rug! I'm sure students would enjoy practicing how to appropriately hold a conversation/greet/shake hands while seated on a carpet, rather than a table.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Valentine-Turner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
