Our Character Development and Leadership Curriculum is a leading social-emotional learning curriculum (SEL) for middle and high schools. We focus on 18 character strengths to help students understand their strengths and limitations. To teach each trait, we utilize a consistent set of 14 lessons to offer differentiated instruction that helps each student reach their full potential.
What is Social-Emotional Learning?
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Why is a Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Important?
A 2011 analysis of more than 200 school-based programs involving more than 270,000 kindergarten through high school students found that students who took part in SEL curricula saw an 11 percent increase in academic achievement when compared to students who didn’t participate. Contrasted with the control group who didn't participate in Social-Emotional Learning programs, SEL participants demonstrated significantly improved social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance.
18 Character Strengths: The Foundation of Our Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum
Positive Attitude
Respect
Courage
Empathy
Service
Compassion
Preparation
Honesty
Appreciation
Gratitude
Loyalty
Leadership
Perseverance
Integrity
Composure
Tolerance
Responsibility
Character
What the Colors Mean
Red - Building a Strong Foundation of YOU: What Makes YOU Who YOU Are
Green - YOU in Relation to Other People: How YOU Interact with Other People
Blue - The Future YOU: The Person That YOU Want to Become
How Our Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Works
To help instill these 18 character strengths, our program provides 12 different SEL lessons per unit (216 lessons total). The goal is to encourage students to develop cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. Additionally, each of these lessons were created to align with the unique learning styles of all children. For example, each lesson focuses on a different learning style: small and large group discussion, lecture, reading, writing, video, verbal presentation, web, and behavioral.
(1) Definition/Quote Exercise (writing, large group discussion-based learning) (cognitive development)
(2) Ethical Dilemma (writing, large group discussion-based learning) (emotional development)
(3) Topic Lecture (lecture-based learning) (cognitive development)
(4) Character Movies (video-based learning) (emotional development)
(5) Role models chapters from textbook (reading-based learning) (cognitive development)
(6) Local Community Leader Presentations (lecture-based learning) (emotional development)
(7) Basic Skills (behavioral-based learning) (behavioral development)
(8) Leadership Principles (video, small group discussion-based learning) (emotional development)
(9) Leadership Exercises (behavioral-based learning) (emotional development)
(10) Online Blog Featuring Current Events (web-based learning) (emotional development)
(11) World Wide Web Assignment (web-based learning) (emotional development)
(12) Expository Writing Assignment (writing, verbal presentation-based learning) (cognitive development)
Each of the 18 units focuses on a particular topic area to encourage students to develop in all five key areas (a.k.a. The 5 SEL Core Competencies) that are recognized in the field of social-emotional learning, including (1) self-awareness, (2) self-management, (3) social awareness, (4) relationship skills and (5) responsible decision-making.
Curriculum Topic | Social-Emotional Learning Competency |
---|---|
Choose Your Daily Attitude | Self-Awareness |
Developing Goals & Priorities | Self-Management |
The Importance of Education | Self-Management |
Showing Respect to Others | Responsible Decision-Making |
Building a Positive Reputation | Responsible Decision-Making |
Developing Personal Values | Self-Awareness |
Handling Peer Pressure | Relationship Skills |
The Importance of Role Models | Social Awareness |
Managing Anger & Aggression | Self-Management |
Positive Communication Skills | Relationship Skills |
Expressing Gratitude to Parents | Social Awareness |
Cultural Competence | Social Awareness |
Citizenship in the Community | Responsible Decision-Making |
Sustaining Long-term Relationships | Relationship Skills |
Employability & Workplace Skills | Self-Management |
Addressing Bullying at Your School | Social Awareness |
Becoming a Strong Leader | Self-Awareness |
Being a Strong Role Model | Self-Awareness |
Next steps
See What Students Say About the Curriculum
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Students access all 252 lessons via our online platform
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Includes teacher binders, textbooks and workbooks
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To receive more information on this program (pricing, samples of curriculum, samples of Role Models textbook, research reports, common core alignment) call Dr. Joe Hoedel (231) 938-4140, Email jhoedel@characterandleadership.com, call or complete the form below.
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