KFSD has adopted Character Strong as their Social Emotional Learning curriculum. Students from grades K-12 participate in lessons at least one time a week that focus on well-being, engagement, and belonging.
The lessons use a variety of activities for getting to know each other, team building, and lessons on a social skill. For example the 8th grade students participated in lessons that taught about planning ahead, making habits, emotions, and practicing regulation. Students are grouped in numerous ways to ensure that students are working with ALL students and not just their friends. They work together to build a common understanding of the social skill and how it can help them in their lives. Another component of Character Strong are Character Dares. Students and staff participate in “dares” to continue the lessons beyond the classroom. Staff at KFMS were dared to “Teach Like the Floor was on Fire,” which encouraged staff to move around the room and make 1:1 connections with students throughout their class periods. Following a week of this dare, teachers reflected and discussed how the dare impacted their teaching and classroom culture. Character dares are grouped by grade levels. Students in the 6th grade were challenged to write a friendly note to someone and put it in a special spot where that person would find it. Students were excited to share what they wrote and where they hid it. One student put a note it in the fridge for their mom! Character Strong also has Family Dares. We dare you to complete: No Tech Table Time: Have no technology during dinner tonight. ~ Have everyone store phones and other distractions away, and enjoy a meal or snack together. Reflect on how it was different from normal meals and how dinner time can be a time to connect. At the end of the summer, the entire district will participate in a day long professional development with experts from Character Strong. We are eager to see how we can improve our lessons with the students.
