Merrell’s Strong Start—Grades K–2

A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum

Second Edition

by Sara A. Whitcomb, Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Amherst and Danielle M. Parisi Damico, Ph.D. Amplify Education, Inc. Brooklyn, New York

Merrell’s Strong Start—Grades K–2

Contents

• About the Downloadable Material
• About the Authors
• Foreword Hill M. Walker
• Acknowledgments
• Section I Introduction and Overview
  • Chapter 1 About Strong Start
  • Chapter 2 Implementation Guidelines and Lesson Structure
  • Chapter 3 Overview of the Lessons
  • Chapter 4 What’s New: Updates to Strong Start—Grades K–2 and Strong Start
• Section II The Strong Start—Grades K–2 Curriculum
  • Lesson 1 The Feelings Exercise Group
  • Lesson 2 Understanding Your Feelings 1
  • Lesson 3 Understanding Your Feelings 2
  • Lesson 4 Understanding Other People’s Feelings
  • Lesson 5 When You’re Angry
  • Lesson 6 When You’re Happy
  • Lesson 7 When You’re Worried
  • Lesson 8 Being a Good Friend
  • Lesson 9 Solving People Problems
  • Lesson 10 Finishing UP!
• Section III Appendices
  • Appendix A Strong Start Booster Lesson 1
  • Appendix B Strong Start Booster Lesson 2
  • Appendix C Recommended Strong Start—Grades K–2 Literature List

About the Authors

Sara A. Whitcomb, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School Psychology, Department

of Student Development, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 111 Thatcher Way, Hills House South, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

Dr. Whitcomb's Work

• Associate Professor in the School Psychology program.
• Research includes quality implementation features in school-based behavioral and social-emotional learning efforts.

Danielle M. Parisi Damico, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Amplify Education, Inc.

Dr. Parisi Damico's Work

• Focus on prevention and early intervention for improving academic and social outcomes for students.

Lesson 8: Being a Good Friend

SEL Competencies Addressed in This Lesson

Purpose and Objectives

• Teach students basic communication and friendship-making skills.
• Discriminate between a nice voice and a not so nice voice.
• Practice listening skills.
• Learn the importance of eye contact and body language when relating with others.

Materials Needed

• Stuffed animal mascot
• Chart paper
• A book from the literature list (or one of your choice)

Review

2 MINS. Review previous topics and main ideas. Obtain three to five adequate ideas from the previous lesson.

Sample Script

During our last meeting, we learned about being worried. Raise your hand if you can tell me an important idea we learned from this lesson.

Introduction

2 MINS. Communicate lesson’s purpose and objectives.

Sample Script

Today, we will be learning about how to be a good friend. We will learn how to use our words, eyes, ears, and bodies to help us make friends. We will also talk about how to work together with friends.

Optional Focusing Activity

Sample Script

Let’s get focused for today’s lesson. Sit crisscross applesauce or put both feet on the floor. Place your hands on your lap and close your eyes. Let’s try five balloon breaths today.

Read a Book from the Literature List

10 MINS. Read a book from following list or choose your own book:

• Peanut Butter & Cupcake by Terry Border
• How To Grow a Friend by Sara Gillingham
• Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
• Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka
• My Best Friend by Mary Ann Rodman

Discuss

• Which people were friends in the story?
• How did they talk to each other?
• How did they become friends?
• What were some of the things they did together?

Talking and Listening

8 MINS. Discuss necessary body clues for talking nicely, and give examples of a friendly voice.

Sample Script

Today, we’re going to learn about how friends talk and listen to each other. To be a kind friend, we should smile and use a nice voice. A nice voice is soft and gentle and not loud like yelling.

Making a Class Book

5 MINS. As a closure activity, students each make a page for a class book. Use a template and ask students to dictate or write examples of what a good friend does.

Closure

1 MIN. Review lesson objectives.

Sample Script

Today, we learned how to be a good friend. We can use our words, eyes, ears, and bodies to help us make friends. It is also important for us to treat our friends nicely and work together so that we can stay friends.

Extension Activity: Friendly Skills

Encourage students to look and listen to one another and use nice voices. Prompt them during social times (e.g., recess, lunch).

Merrell’s Strong Start—Grades K–2: A Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum, Second Edition, by Sara A. Whitcomb and Danielle M. Parisi Damico.