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?