Emotional Wellness Special Edition

Virginia Department of Education sent this bulletin at 01/11/2022 07:27 PM EST

SPECIAL EDITION: Emotional Wellness

Mark Your Calendars!

Virginia Kindness Week

Kindness Week will be recognized February 13-19, 2022. Be sure to keep an eye on our Virginia Kindness Week Web Page for updated resources, ideas and more.

National School Counseling Week

Our School Counselors are champions at promoting and supporting the emotional wellness of all students. Let’s be sure to celebrate them during National School Counseling Week, February 7-11, 2022.

Social Emotional Learning Resources

The Shared Commitment and SEL Curriculum Frameworks were created alongside a team of teachers, counselors, parents, administrators, and other educators from across the state. Each was created to support the implementation of Virginia’s Guidance SEL Standards.

The following resources are intended to assist school leaders, teachers, and other educators in implementing social emotional learning in their school buildings and classrooms. Educators are encouraged to confirm alignment with the needs of your students and local division policy before implementing any suggested activities, strategies, or lessons.

Additional SEL implementation resources can be found in the Go Open Virginia SEL Group.

SEL Vocabulary Cards

The SEL Vocabulary Cards are intended to help educators make abstract or difficult to understand concepts more relatable.

Each card has a developmentally appropriate definition and many include blackline illustrations. While not all vocabulary words have illustrations, those that don’t still have space for student drawn illustrations. Each vocabulary card can be printed as a worksheet for students to decorate or one that teachers can add to a word wall or bulletin board.

Words are organized under the five core competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Decision-Making.

Each set contains over 40 words for educators to select from as they integrate SEL concepts into their curriculum and daily routines.

Emotions Wheel

Educators can use the Emotions Wheel to help students learn to identify their feelings and the feelings of others. Inspired by Robert Plutchik’s wheel of emotion, each wheel of emotion illustrates a variety of emotions that are connected to primary ones. Each version of the wheels expand on a student's emotional vocabulary as they advance from grade to grade. The suggested grade levels are flexible as every student develops at their own pace.

Check out the Emotions Wheel Guide for more information and printable emotions wheel posters.

Parents and caregivers can use the Wheel of Emotions to enrich conversations with their child. Using a Feelings Wheel: Why it’s Helpful and How it Works is an excellent article by Parent Cue with helpful tips for both educators and caregivers alike.

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS QUICK GUIDE VIDEOS

These quick guides and videos cover Social Emotional Wellness considerations for:

Students with Disabilities
Teachers and School Staff
Military Connected Learners
Parents & Caregivers
Early Learners
English Learners, and
Marginalized Groups

These short videos and guides are designed to build awareness and understanding for school communities in a digestible and friendly format. (Videos are available in both English and Spanish).

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