District 181 students enjoy social, emotional activities
By Chuck Fieldman cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com January 31, 2012 5:10PM
Fourth-graders Halle Knutson and Andrew Tannebaum play the part of British citizens as students at Monroe School re-enact what different groups in India have dealt with over the years. | Tamara Bell~Sun Times Media
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Updated: April 2, 2012 1:55AM
The second annual Social Emotional Learning for Academic Success Week at Monroe School incorporated a study of India into activities and discussions.
Committees at the nine schools in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 planned activities in which students took part last week. While the specifics of activities at each school were different, the overall focus was to reinforce District 181’s social/emotional learning curriculum.
Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to recognize and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions and handle challenging situations constructively, according to information from District 181.
The theme for Monroe’s week was a quote by Mohatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Monroe students began the week by using meditation jars and having an opportunity to practice quieting their minds while reflecting on what it means to “be the change” in the world.
The rest of the week at Monroe focused on how to change, using a theme of “Think, Say, Do.”
“We talked about thoughts, words and action,” said Danica Carden, a Monroe Parent-Teacher Organization member who was involved in activities at the school. “We talked about change you would like to see and the choice you have about how you want to see a situation.”
While Monroe students shook their meditation jars and watched the glitter inside slowly settle to the bottom, they learned from that experience and others.
“It’s good to try to meditate and relax sometimes,” said fourth-grader Colin Pope. “We learned about being nice to all your friends and thinking about good thoughts and not being negative.”
Trying to keep positive thoughts is very important, said fourth-grader Jack Galassi.
“You have to believe in what you can change in the world to make it a little better,” he said.
Halle Knutson, another Monroe fourth-grader, found Social Emotional Learning for Academic Success Week a way to honor leaders who helped to change the world.
“It’s interesting because in some ways our country and India are alike,” she said. “Gandhi and Martin Luther King both protested in peaceful ways to help people.”
Other activities included dealing with stress at Hinsdale Middle School; a focus on kindness and respect at Elm; empathy, the ability to feel or understand what someone else is feeling, at Madison; daily themes, such as empathy, being different in your own way, loyalty and courage at Oak; and anti-bullying, helping others and working together at Walker.
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