Academics » Social And Emotional Learning

Social And Emotional Learning

Social-emotional skills are vital for student success inside and outside of school. Research has consistently shown that SEL supports:
 
  • Academic Achievement
  • Student Well-being  
  • Success in School and Life 
  • Positive Social Behavior
 
 
 
To support our students in developing these essential skills, NYCDOE is implementing an SEL screener and intervention program that will help in providing targeted, highly responsive support to each individual student. We will build on each student's strengths while identifying skills they need to further develop. 
 

This year, a student in your care will be assessed by their teacher or counselor using the DESSA, a suite of research-based screening tools and assessments used with students K-12 created by Aperture Education.

 

The DESSA will measure your student’s grasp of important skills that will help them succeed during their school years and even after they graduate from high school. These skills are known as social and emotional skills and include taking responsibility for their actions, and working well with others.

 

The 8 skills measured by the DESSA can easily be taught and learned by students of all ages.

 
Family Resources to develop SEL skills: Strong Resilient NYC Family Resources
 

 

6th Grade – Compassion: Assess students’ prior knowledge of compassion; introduce students to the concept of compassion
7th Grade – Determination: Introduce the concept of determination; Identify examples of determination
8th Grade – Individuality: Assess students’ prior knowledge of individuality; Introduce the concept of individuality
6th Grade – Commitment: Explore commitment through literature; reflect on learning and present projects
7th Grade – Courage: Apply courage in a creative project; reflect on the learning journey
8th Grade – Humbleness: Create a commercial that markets humbleness; Reflect on the importance of humbleness

6th Grade – Commitment: Reflect on personal goals and commitment; learn about historical figures who showed

commitment.

7th Grade – Courage: Understand the importance of courage in stopping bullying; explore courage in friendships.

8th Grade – Humbleness: Present findings on humbleness; present findings on humbleness using media.

6th Grade – Commitment: Engage with real life scenarios and practice commitment (Vignettes: ‘Late Delivery’ and Surprise Shift’)
7th Grade – Courage: Understand courage in honesty; Encourage trying new things
8th Grade – Humbleness: Apply humbleness in a workplace setting; Understand the importance of humbleness in the workplace
6th Grade - Commitment: Engage with real-life scenarios and practice commitment reflecting on personal goals
7th Grade - Courage: Understand courage in difficult situations and develop strategies to face fears
8th Grade - Humbleness: Engage with real-life scenarios and practice humbleness (vignettes: ‘Helping Friends’ and ‘The Promotion’)
6th Grade - Commitment: Explore commitment to family responsibilities; explore commitment to community service
7th Grade - Courage: Understand courage in customer service; Reflect on daily acts of courage
8th Grade - Humbleness: Engage with real-life scenarios and practice humbleness (vignettes: ‘Employee of the Month’ and ‘The Contest’)
6th Grade - Commitment: Explore commitment to sports goals; Evaluate students’ understanding of commitment
7th Grade - Courage: Understand courage in public speaking; Evaluate students’ understanding of courage
8th Grade - Humbleness: Engage with a real life scenario and practice humbleness; Vignettes: “Helping Friends” and “The Promotion
6th Grade - Commitment: Plan actionable steps to practice commitment; Explore commitment to academic goals.
7th Grade - Courage: Explore courage in performance situations; Link courage with perseverance.
8th Grade - Humbleness: Engage with a real-life scenario and practice humbleness; Engage with a real-life scenario and practice humbleness.
6th Grade - Commitment: Reflect on personal experiences with commitment, Reflect on the importance of commitment
7th Grade - Courage: Understand courage in the context of bullying, Reflect on personal experiences of courage
8th Grade - Humbleness: Understand the importance of humbleness, Plan actionable steps to practice humbleness
6th Grade - Commitment: Understand the definition of commitment; Differentiate between what commitment is and isn’t
7th Grade - Courage: Assess students’ prior knowledge of courage; Introduce student to the concept of courage
8th Grade - Humbleness: Differentiate between what humbleness is and isn’t; Reflect on personal experiences with humbleness

6th Grade - Commitment: Assess students’ prior knowledge of commitment; Introduce students to the concept of commitment

7th Grade - Courage: Understand the concept of courage; Differentiate between what courage is and isn’t

8th Grade - Humbleness: Assess students’ prior knowledge of humbleness; Introduce students to the concept of humbleness

6th Grade - Acceptance: Promote acceptance within the school community; Celebrate students’ efforts and achievements

7th Grade - Cooperation: Engage with real life scenarios and practice cooperation; Apply cooperation strategies in a work setting

8th Grade - Honesty: Understand the importance of honesty in jobs; Discuss honesty in digital communications

6th Grade - Acceptance: Reflect on personal growth in acceptance; Create a representation of acceptance
7th Grade - Cooperation: Engage with real life scenarios and practice cooperation; Apply cooperation strategies in a family setting
8th Grade - Honesty: Reflect on honesty in personal relationships; Learn about honesty through historical figures
6th Grade - Acceptance: Synthesize learning in an academic context; Measure student growth and understanding of acceptance
7th Grade - Cooperation: Engage with real life scenarios and practice cooperation; Apply cooperation strategies in a work setting
8th Grade - Honesty: Evaluate honesty in media; Discuss the relationship between honesty and cheating

6th Grade - Acceptance: Engage with real-life scenarios (vignettes)

7th Grade - Cooperation: Engage with real life scenarios, practice cooperation; apply cooperation strategies – group setting

8th Grade - Honesty: Evaluate students’ understanding of honesty; discuss honesty in workplace scenarios

6th Grade - Acceptance: Engage with real-life scenarios (vignettes)
7th Grade - Cooperation: Engage with real life scenarios, practice cooperation; apply cooperation strategies – group setting
8th Grade - Honesty: Evaluate students’ understanding of honesty; discuss honesty in workplace scenarios
6th Grade - Acceptance: Engage with real life scenarios (vignette: new boy); evaluate students’ understanding of acceptance 
7th Grade - Cooperation: Apply cooperation strategies in a team setting; evaluate students’ understanding of cooperation 
8th Grade - Honesty: Analyze honesty in different situations; evaluate honesty in academic settings 
6th Grade - Acceptance: Plan actionable steps and engage in real-life scenarios
7th Grade - Cooperation: Plan actionable steps and engage in real life scenarios
8th Grade - Honesty: Engage in honesty challenge and explore honesty in school scenarios
 
6th Grade - Acceptance: Reflect on personal experiences and importance
7th Grade - Cooperation: Reflect on personal experiences and importance
8th Grade - Honesty: Reflect on personal experiences and plan actionable steps

6th Grade - Acceptance: Understand the definition and differentiate

7th Grade - Cooperation: Understand the definition and differentiate

8th Grade - Honesty: Understand the definition and differentiate

6th Grade - Acceptance: Prior Knowledge and Introduction
7th Grade - Cooperation: Prior Knowledge and Introduction
8th Grade - Honesty: Prior Knowledge and Introduction