Social/Emotional Learning and Character Education Curated for Elementary Students.

Students view these two short films, Mig Said Series: Let's be Friends and The Chameleon's True Colors. Each film celebrate friendship, diversity and individuality. Then students consider the following questions:

What are some things about you that are different from your friends?

Why is it important to have friends who are different than we are?

What color is your skin? Hair? Eyes?

Do your friends have the same skin, hair and eye color? 

Discuss how we are all different and that all colors are beautiful.

The short film You Are Special was created as part of a special outreach program along with the Young Writers Program, and promoted in the "Stop Bullying: Speak Up" campaign.

Students watch this short film that demonstrates that everyone is special and important in their own way. After viewing the film, encourage students to discuss what is special about themselves and their classmates. Create a bulletin board. 

Jackie McMahon's film "The Buddy Club" won first place in the Middle School category in the MY HERO International Film Festival.

The film examines an after-school program started by Jackie’s sister Katie, which pairs students with disabilities with other students with whom they normally would not have class. The program promotes the building of a community within High School that can stand against attempts at bullying and other anti-social behavior.

Students are encouraged to think of ways they can connect with other students, those with disabilities or in a different grade. Share their efforts with MY HERO.

Students watch the short film Dodged, an example of anti-bullying and class community spirit. 

After viewing the film, students discuss times that they or others have stood up to bullying or were supportive to others. 

After watching the following short PSA, New Together, students consider a time they were new to something to gain a better understanding of how a person immigrating from another country would feel.  Although this features younger children, it is appropriate for all grade levels.  

Students watch the short music video Stand Up performed by elementary students at Girard College Lower School. 

The song Stand Up was written by Paul M. Eaton for his students at Girard College Lower School in response to their association with the National Liberty Museum and being exposed to their message of "Live Like A Hero". Throughout the museum the displays contained a message of lives that were lived with purpose and a regard for others that came with personal sacrifice. This message teaches that we can all do something to change our world for the better through service, sacrifice, love and care for each other. 

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING and MY HERO

Use the following two stories to begin a discussion about the four competencies in most SEL programs:

Growth Mindset      Self-Efficacy      Self Management     Social Awareness 

Inspire your students by watching this film, Call to Action Kindness Project. This film shows the efforts of students in 6th grade sharing ways to be kind with 2nd grade children in order to promote a more positive culture in their school and community in Ontario, California. 

What can your students do to promote kindness and be a positive role model for younger students? Share your project with MY HERO.

This photo shows kids in 2nd, 4th and 6th grade working on kindness letters as a way to combat bullying with kindness. The project consisted of the children picking a name of a fellow club member out of a bag and making them an encouraging card. Every child, 80 in total, participated in making at least one card and receiving one.

Your students are encouraged to work on letters and cards to promote kindness and within their school community. This can be done as a class activity or older students writing cards for younger students.

Students at Dixie Bee Elementary School in Terre Haute, Indiana post positive messages about fellow classmates and the school's staff. SPPRAK, Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness, a local not-for-profit, sponsored this program that literally 'notes' random acts of kindness by students, teachers, and staff.