Improve Teacher Social and Emotional Well-Being
For teachers, these past few years have been a roller coaster with crazy twists and turns as well as surprising ups and downs. Our social and emotional well-being has taken a dive, not to mention that of our students.
Many hurdles lie ahead as we navigate teaching in this post- Covid world. Here are just a FEW of our challenges;
- Providing students with choice and voice to keep them engaged.
- Attending to students’ social and emotional needs and fostering resiliency as they sit in your classroom or in front of their screens all-the-live-long-day.
- Attending to your own social and emotional needs while feeling perpetually behind the 8 ball.
- Managing the workload that teaching entails without losing your mind.
As teachers, we continue to experience a gamut of emotions but if you poke through the angst, many self realizations will bubble to the surface. Think about the unintended practices we developed during Covid. How slowing life down, connecting to nature and intentionally nurturing our relationships brought fulfillment and pleasure to our lives.
These life lessons are ones I DO NOT want to forget.
To this end, I am resurrecting a class inquiry project, developed a few years ago, centering around classroom design. Embarking on this class inquiry will change your relationship with the world around you and will prove to be incredibly beneficial for both you and your students.
How to Begin A Class Inquiry
I’m not going to lie, the Covid shut down definitely improved my teaching as I challenged myself to creatively develop new ways to engage my students. All my classes finished that insane school year with inquiry projects, which to my surprise, was an overwhelming success and a complete game changer for me. I guess they are right when they say that “choice and voice” are important – who knew?
This unit teaches the steps of the Inquiry Model, connects students to nature, and addresses their social and emotional needs. Students will carry this new knowledge well into adulthood and I guarantee, will transform yourself as well.
This is our first inquiry project; it is a teacher guided, structured class inquiry. The goal is for students to learn basic inquiry skills, collaboration, and writing skills. As the year progresses, with future inquiry activities, I gradually let go of the reins and students gain more control of their learning.
We begin with the essential questions, and in groups, students unpack these questions by identifying key words and developing a set of foundation questions to create the road map that guides our learning.
Research That Builds Social and Emotional Intelligence
While it is essential to introduce students to various methods of conducting research; video, personal data and print resources, this by no means is a solitary activity.
- I begin with a couple of short videos – one of which I find hilarious because the guy is so delightfully awkward. The students at this point, are still a little shy. However, I’ve heard it’s important for teachers to be authentic so I laugh out loud like a nutbar as we view the video. I use the gradual release of responsibility method to teach proper note taking strategies through the use of short documentaries.
- Another form of research students partake in is to complete surveys on themselves, classmates and family members. One of the many activities we create surveys for is taking a quick walk outside. The goal is to give students unstructured time to become acquainted with each other (by, heaven forbid, communicating WITHOUT their phones) as well as realize the effect that nature has on them personally. Yes, there are always kids who whine and some will have every excuse in the book NOT to walk, but listen closely – IGNORE THOSE HATERS! Trust me.
- Lastly, we dive into reading for meaning. Students read differentiated articles on the effects of nature and make notes using Padlet. They participate in a jigsaw activity which culminates with a group oral presentation to the class.
Three Ways Knowledge Creates Social and Emotional Intelligence
ONE:
Students need intentional time to personalize their learning. It is crucial to slow things down for students to reflect and create ways to demonstrate how this new knowledge has changed their thinking and their actions. These mini-products are an authentic means of creating a connection with students as you read their insights and dialogue with them through written comments and conferences. Students are resilient when they have a strong connection with adults other than their parents.
Read: Improve Student Well-Being and Class Community Through Nature and Gratitude
TWO:
Students apply their learning and analyze their relationship to place. When asked to do this during a teacher pro d session, I thought of the path I use for my morning walk with my dog. This simple exercise completely changed my view of this space and made me see this walk as more than just a picking-up-dog-poop adventure. Every morning, I notice the way the sunlight (or the rain) dances through the trees, and the beauty of the greenery around me creates a sense of calm as I start my day. Having a relationship with the nature around us increases our social and emotional well-being. This value of nature has long since been demonstrated by First Nations Peoples. Also, have you ever noticed how strong and resilient outdoor enthusiasts are?
THREE:
Lastly, groups are formed to develop a proposal for the intentional design of our classroom. After watching informative videos and adhering to a budget, students create a plan for how to integrate their new knowledge into our classroom. They love looking online for ideas and shopping for the best prices. With this activity, I find every single person is completely engaged! No one asks to go to the bathroom during these classes!
People who have strong social and emotional intelligence are those who can find the calm during turbulent times. By utilizing intentional classroom decor, you and your students will have that sense of peace. I participated in a teacher inquiry around the effects of classroom decor with a small group of colleagues. When the classroom environment was intentially designed, we noticed a boost in on-task behavior and participation, less kids asking to go to the “bathroom”, and a decline in behavioral issues. Plus, students love being in our mutually designed classroom space!
Transformational Performance Pieces
To bring closure, students lay out all their research and evidence to compose the all exciting writing piece answering the essential questions. This is my opportunity to teach the “Writing Process” and to gain an authentic writing sample. I really am SO OVER asking students to write about their summer vacation. Hats off to any kid who can craft a great piece of writing centering around staying home and staring at their phone. This piece of writing is their chance to analyze their A-HA moments and the changes they have applied to their lives.
Lastly, there is one more activity; that is a creative piece. I know you are thinking, WHAT? That writing piece was gripping enough – there’s more? Yes, hold on to your seats because this is truly the best part! The final “”HURRAH” of this inquiry is an activity I created at the beginning of our lock down because quite frankly, I was trying to buy myself time to sort through the discombobulation and the tears – remember those?
I am always surprised at how much the students and I love this particular exercise. Students apply their learning into their lives and spaces outside of school. They use visuals and explain their thinking when presenting to the class while class members write positive feedback on each other’s presentations. It is always heart-warming to witness the authentic way our classroom community takes shape. It allows me a small window into their lives and provides insight as to who they are on a personal level, something we are not always privy to.
Why Do This Inquiry?
Overall, this inquiry is one of my favorites. Never again, will you spend countless hours hanging student work to clutter up the walls. Nor will you spend your money buying inspirational posters that kids quickly ignore. Your classroom will be an oasis for yourself and your students.
EVERYONE who enters your room will encounter a visible transformation. You will literally see the stress melt from their shoulders and the look of serenity cross their face. Recognizing we spend most of our time at work, this will dramatically improve your own social and emotional well being. Connect to your students by showing them you care about their environment and their emotional needs. Do this to get through these trying times and to build the resiliency of you and your students forever.
Best of all, now when you say we are going for a class walk…. NO ONE will complain!
This unit can be all encompassing, or modified to be shorter in length. It can be conducted face to face, online or a hybrid model. If you don’t have your own classroom yet, you can omit the classroom design and focus on using other spaces.
Stay Posted for lesson plans and handouts.
