Social and Emotional Learning

Classroom focus on social-emotional learning dramatically amplifies a child’s success as a student.

At Lake Forest Country Day School, we believe that a student’s social emotional well-being is a direct contributor to academic success. The LFCDS curriculum is designed to enable and foster SEL core skills in every division through myriad delivery systems. The various SEL delivery systems lend themselves to creating opportunities for students to gain awareness and take charge of themselves, which cultivates the ability to adapt and ultimately leads to the understanding that they have the capacity to shape and direct their path. The School uses a universal language around social and emotional competencies, which allows faculty and students to develop a clear sense of purpose and understanding.

 

In the Early Childhood and Lower School Divisions (age 2 through Grade 4), teachers utilize the Responsive Classroom Model. This curriculum is designed to create classrooms that are responsive to children’s physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs through developmentally appropriate educational experiences. Teaching practices include morning meetings, rule creation, interactive modeling, positive teacher language, logical consequences, guided academic discovery and academic choice.

 

In the Upper School Division, students are placed in a group of 8-10 students which is led by a faculty advisor.  These groups meet for two 40 minute periods during the six-day cycle. This small group forum that provides students opportunities to build and grow the five core competencies of SEL:  self-awareness, social awareness, self-regulation, relationship skill and responsible decision making. Group discussions, group process, group activities, exploration and definition of character traits and time for reflection all serve to activate awareness around core competencies and ultimately build skills in this domain.