Social Emotional Learning is so important to children, and teen yet many of the programs are geared only towards grades K-5. I found this so astonishing considering how much students are going through at the middle school level. This is a time where they need as much support as possible because many days school is like a battle field (okay an obstacle course) and they need not only a foundation but practice and strength training to get through it. In my 10+ years of experience teaching at a middle school I haven't see very much bullying but what I do see every day is indirect bullying. Every day is an understament, about 25 times a day. This kind of bullying is done constantly and I see it worsen every year.
Danah Boyd discusses the effects of indirect bullying in her book It's Complicated "Ashley told Alice that there was very little outright bullying in her community; the meanness and cru- elty she saw at school often took the form of what she called “indirect bullying”—gossip and rumors—or “drama.” Ashley told Alice about various incidents that took place at school and among classmates, such as when boys mocked cheerleaders for their eating habits. Gossip about who might be pregnant, who was hooking up with whom, and who did what while drunk appeared to be standard fare. Ashley also described the cliques at school, the normalized fashion statements meant to show who was in and who was out, the dynamics of good and bad attention, and the politics of “frenemies”—friends who are some- times enemies when faced with competition, jealousy, and mistrust" (129-130). This is one reason why students are addicted to their phones. They feel the need to keep up with their own account in order to know what is being said about them. Of course this kind of constant state of worry will lead to stress and anxiety. Although I feel Mindfulness will benefit the most students I also feel the school could benefit from Social and Emotional Learning Programs. I like the following two the most not just because they are geared towards middle schoolers but also because they give an option of also participating at home and within the community.
MindUP™ for TeachersMindUP™ is a way of teaching that provides a richer learning experience for students and returns the joy of teaching to teachers. Learn more about how our program helps improve student focus, improves classroom communication, and creates harmony in the classroom. MindUP™ for SchoolsWe offer school and district-wide support plans and training programs with one of our Certified Workshop Facilitators. Learn more about why over 400 schools worldwide have chosen to implement our program. MindUP™ for HomeThough initially designed as a classroom program, MindUP™ has lessons that are easy to use by parents, helping to improve relationships and promote a healthy dialogue among family members. Learn more about how to use MindUP™ at home. |
Benefits:
The Be Kind People Project offers unique and culturally relevant youth development programs that effectively combine academics, character education, fitness, nutrition, digital citizenship, civic awareness, teacher appreciation, and family engagement. |
http://gratmap.mindup.org