Seneca Academy uses the Responsive Classroom® curriculum to inform the integration of social and emotional learning into our academic day. Responsive Classroom® is an evidence-based program that utilizes a variety of strategies to help teachers create a “safe, challenging, and joyful” classroom and school environment for students. At the heart of this program is Morning Meeting. Each elementary class at Seneca Academy starts the day with a group meeting to address the transition from home to school, create group cohesion, share news, address concerns, and begin the school day. Our students enjoy this opportunity to interact socially with their teacher and peers, and it provides a sense of ownership and belonging within each class.
At Seneca Academy, we know that the social milieu can have a dramatic impact on a student’s ability to learn. In addition to implementing the Responsive Classroom® curriculum, we address the social atmosphere in a variety of ways to ensure that it is a positive, nurturing one for all. Our developmentally appropriate curriculum, classroom organization, scheduling, and behavior management policies and procedures all intentionally guide our classrooms to a positive and productive social and emotional learning environment.
The attitudes promoted by the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program and supported and taught at Seneca Academy are:
- Appreciation
- Commitment
- Confidence
- Cooperation
- Creativity
- Curiosity
- Empathy
- Enthusiasm
- Independence
- Integrity
- Respect
- Tolerance
