Why a Social Curriculum?

          A great deal of research has been done over the past decade regarding the importance of social and emotional learning to support academics.  Results compiled by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) show that teaching a social curriculum has a direct as well as indirect impact on student learning and school success.  Creating a learning environment that is safe, caring, well-managed, and participatory leads to the students having a greater attachment to the school and developing less risky behavior as they enter adolescence.  Through these programs students learn self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, and how to make responsible decisions.

          The New Hampshire Curriculum Frameworks includes expectations for the social arena.  Students must listen effectively, recognize and use non-verbal cues (body language, tone, volume, gestures, and eye contact) to emphasize meaning, listen and respond thoughtfully and respectfully to others, enter into discussions and interactions appropriately, take turns, and respond effectively to others.  They are also expected to make developmentally appropriate decisions about preparation for life and work.  Swasey Central School social curriculum incorporates three programs, Responsive Classroom®, Second Step Violence Prevention and Steps to Respect.

          The Northeast Foundation for Children explains the Responsive Classroom® approach to teaching and learning as one that “fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools.  It consists of practical strategies for bringing together social and academic learning throughout the school day.”  The basic principles underlying this approach emphasize that there is a set of social skills children need in order to be successful academically and socially which includes cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control.  The main teaching strategies and elements are broad.  A daily “Morning Meeting” is held to build community, create a positive environment for learning, and reinforce academic and social skills.  Rules and logical consequence provide a clear and consistent approach to discipline that fosters responsibility and self-control.  Guided Discovery is a way to introduce materials that encourages inquiry, raises interest, and teaches students to care for the school environment.  Children are given academic choices that help them become invested, self-motivated learners.

          The Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum is the second piece of our program.  Its content varies by grade level and is organized into skill building units covering empathy, impulse control and problem solving and anger management.  Discussion, modeling, coaching and practice are used to increase social competence, risk assessment, decision-making ability, self-regulation and positive goal-setting.  This program is used in kindergarten through third grade.

          Steps to Respect, A Bullying Prevention Program teaches children friendship skills and how to recognize, refuse, and report bullying through the use of videos, classroom discussions, skill practice, and children’s novels.  This program is implemented in the fourth and fifth grade classrooms.

Please read Disclaimer on our site concerning copyright and privacy.
Last updated: December 27, 2007
Comments and questions can be sent to the webmaster.

Swasey Central School
355 Middle Road
Brentwood, NH 03833
Phone (603) 642-3487
FAX (603) 642-6825