Elementary social-emotional learning lessons help shape lifelong skills

Across Washingtonville’s elementary schools, students are building skills that go beyond academics through social-emotional learning (SEL) activities designed to help them manage emotions, stay motivated and support one another.

At Little Britain Elementary School, the counseling program introduced a “Monthly Traits Calendar,” with each month spotlighting a specific character trait.

January focused on resilience, helping students understand that challenges are a natural part of learning. 

"This month, students are learning the importance of never giving up, even when things feel challenging,” Guidance Counselor Kayla Gonzalez explained. “The lessons are designed to build on that foundation by fostering a growth mindset and helping students understand that mistakes are an important part of learning and growing."

Students explored the difference between fixed and growth mindsets, practicing phrases like, “I can’t do this yet, but I can learn.” After reading “The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes” by Gary Rubinstein and Mark Pet, classes discussed how mistakes are not failures, but opportunities to grow.

At Round Hill Elementary, second graders recently turned emotional awareness into an engaging game through “Zones of Regulation Jeopardy.”

Working in teams, students identified examples of emotions such as frustration, sadness and boredom, along with their associated color zones. They tackled questions like, “You are furious after losing, which zone are you in?”

They also brainstormed coping strategies to help them return to the “green zone,” where they are ready to learn. Second grade teacher Erin Wilson said the activity helps students apply self-regulation skills independently. 

One student, Justin, summed up the impact of this lesson by saying, “When my friend feels sad in the blue zone, I give them a hug.”

Meanwhile, at Taft Elementary, students stepped into the role of “behavior detectives” to solve a classroom mystery. Guidance Counselor Juliet Krasiy presented first grade students examples of classroom behavior in fictional teacher Mrs. Lurnur’s class and asked them to investigate why the once-focused classroom full of “super students” had become “loosey-goosey.”

Students pointed to messy desks as signs of disorganization, paper airplanes as evidence of off-task behavior and classmates facing each other instead of the teacher as a sign of distraction.

“By stepping into the role of ‘behavior detectives,’ students get to look at the classroom environment through a new lens,” Ms. Krasiy explained. “It moves beyond telling students to ‘pay attention,’ it helps them discover for themselves how listening and organization support a successful learning community.”

Together, these lessons reflect a shared goal across Washingtonville’s elementary schools of helping young students build the self-awareness, resilience and empathy necessary to thrive both in and out of the classroom.