Course Plan: Academics for Behavioral Students
Course Overview
This course is designed for Year 1 students focusing on academic skills through a social-emotional learning lens. In a supportive, structured environment, students will learn to build essential academic skills while promoting positive behaviors and emotional regulation. Each of the 30 lessons integrates concepts from iReady math and reading programs, along with activities aimed at enhancing students' social and emotional learning.
Lesson Plan Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction to School Routines
- Objective: Understand daily routines and classroom expectations.
- Activity: Create a class chart of daily routines.
Lesson 2: Identifying Emotions
- Objective: Learn the names of feelings and how to express them.
- Activity: Feelings wheel activity—students color in their emotions.
Lesson 3: Numbers Around Us
- Objective: Recognize and count numbers in the classroom.
- Activity: Number scavenger hunt around the classroom.
Lesson 4: Sharing is Caring
- Objective: Understand the importance of sharing and cooperation.
- Activity: Group game that requires taking turns.
Lesson 5: Reading Together
- Objective: Develop listening skills through storytelling.
- Activity: Circle time story reading and discussion.
Lesson 6: Expressing Ourselves
- Objective: Use words to express emotions effectively.
- Activity: Role-playing scenarios to practice expression.
Lesson 7: Counting Objects
- Objective: Count and group items based on characteristics.
- Activity: Use manipulatives (like blocks) to count and sort.
Lesson 8: Practicing Patience
- Objective: Learn to wait for our turn.
- Activity: Board game focused on taking turns.
Lesson 9: Recognizing Letters
- Objective: Identify and write the alphabet letters.
- Activity: Alphabet song and letter tracing.
Lesson 10: Positive Affirmations
- Objective: Build self-esteem through positive thoughts.
- Activity: Create a “Me” poster with affirmations.
Lesson 11: Number Comparison
- Objective: Understand more than, less than, equal to.
- Activity: Use counters to compare groups of items.
Lesson 12: Conflict Resolution
- Objective: Learn strategies to resolve disagreements.
- Activity: Discuss and role-play conflict scenarios.
Lesson 13: Story Sequencing
- Objective: Recognize the sequence of events in stories.
- Activity: Story sequencing cards from a familiar tale.
Lesson 14: Emotions in Stories
- Objective: Identify emotions of characters in stories.
- Activity: Draw a character and their emotion during a read-aloud.
Lesson 15: Math Games
- Objective: Use games to reinforce math concepts.
- Activity: Play an interactive math game on iReady.
Lesson 16: Importance of Friendship
- Objective: Understand the value of making friends.
- Activity: Friendship map—students draw friends they admire.
Lesson 17: Basic Addition
- Objective: Introduce addition using manipulatives.
- Activity: Use counters to solve addition problems.
Lesson 18: Understanding Rules
- Objective: Recognize and understand classroom rules.
- Activity: Create a class rules poster together.
Lesson 19: Listening Skills
- Objective: Improve listening skills during group activities.
- Activity: Simon says game emphasizing listening.
Lesson 20: Math in Nature
- Objective: Observe patterns and shapes in nature.
- Activity: Nature walk to find shapes and patterns.
Lesson 21: Expressing Gratitude
- Objective: Discuss the importance of being thankful.
- Activity: Gratitude tree—students write what they’re thankful for.
Lesson 22: Basic Subtraction
- Objective: Introduce subtraction using objects.
- Activity: Use snacks to demonstrate subtraction.
Lesson 23: Learning from Mistakes
- Objective: Emphasize that mistakes are part of learning.
- Activity: Share stories of times when things didn’t go as planned.
Lesson 24: Reading Comprehension
- Objective: Enhance comprehension skills through discussion.
- Activity: Read a short story and ask questions about it.
Lesson 25: Social Skills
- Objective: Understand basic social skills for interactions.
- Activity: Role-play to practice greetings and introductions.
Lesson 26: Exploring Measurements
- Objective: Learn about basic measurements using non-standard units.
- Activity: Measure classroom items with paper clips or blocks.
Lesson 27: Community Helpers
- Objective: Identify various community helper roles.
- Activity: Dress-up day—students come as their favorite helper.
Lesson 28: Visualizing Stories
- Objective: Create mental images while listening to a story.
- Activity: Illustrate a scene described in a story.
Lesson 29: Community and Belonging
- Objective: Discuss the importance of feeling part of a community.
- Activity: Create a class mural representing the community.
Lesson 30: Celebrating Our Achievements
- Objective: Reflect on personal growth and learning.
- Activity: Host a class celebration to share accomplishments.
References
- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). (2020). Core SEL Competencies. Retrieved from CASEL Website
- iReady. (2023). Curriculum Guides. Retrieved from iReady Website
- McKown, C. (2017). The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in Education: Research and Practice. New York: Education Press.
- Zinsser, K. (2018). Emotional Intelligence and Learning: A Review of Research. Journal of Educational Psychology, 110(7), 931-941.