What is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. 

E.M. Baker School incorporates both the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and learning and the Second-Step program.  In addition, we incorporate Mindfulness throughout all grade levels, which complements the Responsive Classroom approach.  Daily classroom activities are coupled with Baker’s Mindful Mondays. We start each week off by introducing a new mindfulness exercise to the entire school during morning announcements.

What is Responsive Classroom?

In order to be successful in and out of school, students need to learn a set of social and emotional competencies - cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control. Alongside these, students also learn academic competencies such as academic mindset, perseverance, learning strategies, and academic behaviors.

• Click here for Responsive Classroom’s Guiding Principles
• Click here to “visit” a Responsive Classroom
• Click here for general age-specific behaviors

What is Second Step?

The Second Step program is a school-wide curriculum that gives students the tools to navigate their way through school and their community. Through games, activities, and songs, students build skills to become ready for learning, show empathy, manage emotions, and problem solve. 

• Kindergarten: Second Step Scope and Sequence

• Grade 1: Second Step Scope and Sequence

• Grade 2: Second Step Scope and Sequence

• Grade 3: Second Step Scope and Sequence

• Grade 4: Second Step Scope and Sequence

• Grade 5: Second Step Scope and Sequence