School is a place where children learn a lot more than reading, writing and arithmetic. They also learn how to get along with others, including how to share and resolve conflict, and to be a true mensch. Many of these social-emotional skills are also needed for academics. For example, the ability to find multiple ways to solve a problem is important when solving a math problem and when resolving a conflict with a peer.
While children are born with some innate social skills, we also know that these skills can be taught and enhanced. Some children need more support in this area than others – and that is okay because we all have our own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Every child needs to grow and develop in this important area. At school, we help children maximize their social competencies in a variety of ways throughout the day. Miss Sarah, our guidance counselor, teaches the children about “Kelso’s Wheel” – a tool for conflict management.
The nine strategies on Kelso’s Wheel should be familiar to our students and are currently being introduced to our kindergartners. Miss Sarah is currently reviewing the Kelso strategies with students during guidance lessons. Try this at home! If you see your child having a conflict with a sibling or a peer, encourage him or her to try out one or two of the choices on the wheel.
This school year ushers in our second year of implementation of our new approach to homework. For those of you who are new to SDJA this fall, allow me to provide a little background. In conversations with parents, we were hearing many stories about the difficulties and stress caused by homework. Homework was causing conflict […]
Students of the 21st century are lucky because, with the Internet, they can connect with others around the world. The students here at SDJA participate in many such projects throughout the year. Currently 2B is participating in Project OREO where they stack OREO cookies, collect data, and compare their results with other classes around the […]
School is a place where children learn a lot more than reading, writing and arithmetic. They also learn how to get along with others, including how to share and resolve conflict, and to be a true mensch. Many of these social-emotional skills are also needed for academics. For example, the ability to find multiple ways […]
The high tech industry represents the career field with the fastest rate of job growth and wage growth. But having great technical skills isn’t enough. The key for today’s high tech workers and the high-tech workers of the future is to have both great technical skills AND great interpersonal skills. Through the Mission Innovation program, […]
Some of my fondest childhood memories focus on celebrations. A Jewish holiday, a birthday, an achievement in school, or a cousin visiting from Israel. All were simchas and a chance to celebrate. I have learned from my parents to celebrate not only the big moments in life but also to appreciate the smaller moments too. […]
