Social and Emotional Curriculum
KSDS Social Emotional Learning – Bo N’daber (Come, Let’s Talk!)
Bo N’daber was developed by utilizing appropriate resources from a variety of different social emotional curriculum. One of the main sources, Safe and Caring schools, developed by Katia Peterson, Ph.D., uses monthly themes to help teach social skills, build character, and instill values. Our monthly themes are modeled on the Safe and Caring Schools program. At KSDS, we added a Judaic component in which each theme is accompanied by text representing a saying or value from our Judaic teachings that correspond to that monthly theme. Responsive Classroom is another evidence-based approach to educating children with an emphasis on social emotional learning. The Morning Meeting, which is part of the Responsive Classroom, is our model for how and when we use Bo N’daber in the lower school. Our goal is to come together as a classroom community at the start of the day or the start of a class in lower school and once a week in the middle school, and use that time to focus on the important social emotional constructs. Our monthly themes are as follows:
September – Safe and Caring Community; Al tifrosh min hatzibur (Don’t separate yourself from the community)
Goals:
- Identify and set up a safe and caring community in school
- Develop cooperation skills
- Learn about diversity within the classroom and community
October – My Support System; V’ahavta L’rayacha Kamocha (Love your friend as you love yourself)
Goals:
- Help each student understand their support system
- Understand the meaning of friendship
- Learn where to go for help
November – Emotions
Goals:
- Learn to name feelings
- Be able to learn appropriate ways to express feelings
- Understand and demonstrate empathy
December – Respect; Eyzehu Mechubad? Hamechabed et habriyot (Who is respected? The one who respects others)
Goals:
- Identify and practice good manners
- Identify and demonstrate respect to others
- Learn how to respect oneself
- Learn how to be a responsible member of our community
January – Good Citizenship; Kol yisrael arayvim zeh la zeh (We are all responsible for each other)
Goals:
- Learn what it means to be compassionate and kind
- Learn to accept people for who they are
- Practice empathy skills
February – Teamwork; Ayzehu haham? Halomayd mi Kol adam (Who is smart? The one who learns from others)
Goals:
- Learn about responsibility and being accountable for one’s own actions
- Understand teamwork
- Practice communicating effectively
March – Conflict Resolution; Shalom Bayit (Peace in the home/community)
Goals:
- Learn how to be an active listener
- Develop respectful communication skills
April – Power to Choose; Behirah Hofsheet (Free will)
Goals:
- To learn what it means to be responsible for your own actions
- Practice treating people with respect and fairness
- How to make good choices
May/June – Perseverance; Lo alecha hamlacha ligmor V’lo atah ben horin l’hibatel mimena (It is not up to you to complete the job. But you must do all that you can…)
Goals:
- How to deal with a challenge using a growth mindset
- To be able to set a goal and plan steps to achieve that goal.
- Celebrate each other’s growth during the school year.