Creating a School of Belonging David A. Levine

Howard Gray

The Pressures Children Feel Where do they come from?

Managing life’s challenges vs Coping with them

Difficult Life Situations What is predictable? What is unpredictable?

The Spectrum for Emotional Safety Pro-active vs reactive Prevention vs intervention Manage vs cope

The Container… Belonging: affiliation, connection, support Power: competence, social skills Freedom: voice, independence, accountability Fun: engaged in learning, having healthy relationships

Real World Learning Please watch the video and write down any reflections you have…

Resilience What is your definition?

Protective Factors Internal and environmental safeguards -a charismatic teacher/significant adult -school success (competencies) -welcoming environment (school-wide, class, groups) -predictable and consistent -pro-social skills (the great protectors)

Resilience External: relationships, emotionally safe (needs-oriented), pro-social cultural norms, feeling of community Internal: pro-social skills, perspective, trust, self-competence, altruistic opportunities

21st Century Survival Skills - Wagner 1. Critical thinking and problem solving 2. Collaboration across networks 3. Agility and adaptability 4. Initiative and entrepreneurialism 5. Effective oral and written communication 6. Accessing and analyzing information 7. Curiosity and imagination (empathy)

Empathy What does it mean? Is it innate and can it be learned? What does lack of empathy look like?

Social Learning Taught through modeling Conversation Feedback Public praise/private correction Built into all learning opportunities

Emotional Learning Courage: what is your definition and how does it impact one’s life journey?

Emotion is learning… Think of a time when you were lost? How old were you? Where were you? Who were you with? What happened? How did you feel?

Emotion is learning… Imprints Family School Polarizing issues of society Heroes and entertainers Mores and Sexual Values Imprint/value statements

What are your buttons? These are your imprints Emotional intelligence (EQ) reflects how you respond when under pressure. How do you “manage” your emotions?

Mindfulness Training as EQ Training Is gaining momentum as a new way to pay attention Teaches self-control, reflection, empathy, choice-consequence

Rituals Empower an experience Make the statement this is important Focus the group on what is going on

Common Language Key words, phrases or names for processes that help create the culture you are seeking to promote and bring everyone to the same place at the same time.

Dialogue The art of collective thinking. Open-ended questions: Who, what, where, when, how Clarify and summarize Reflect feelings and impressions

Dialogue about the day In small groups: What will you take home? One thing you will remember Something you want to know more about What surprised you? Where were you touched?