Adoption & Implementation of

Character Education Program:

Maria Liston and Wendell Perry

EDU 595
Dr. David Horton
Concordia University Irvine
September 17, 2023
 Introduction
A character education program designed to shape the values,
ethics, and virtues will not only guide our students through their
academic journey, but also equip them with humanistic skills to
help them become responsible and compassionate citizens. Second
Step is a leading research-based SEL curriculum for students
kindergarten through eighth grade that will teach children
techniques to gain confidence, set goals, make better decisions,
collaborate with others, and navigate the world more effectively.

(Second Step, 2023).

 Table of Contents

01 02 Character Themes K-5 & Sample

Need for a Program Lesson

03 Character Themes: 04
6-8
 01
Need for a Program

Please click
audio first,
then video.
 Suspension Rates for McAuliffe School

0.0% 0.67% ?%

2020-21 2021-22 2022-23

(COVID YEAR) Exact number of Percentage is currently
students??? unavailable

(SARC, 2022)
 What is Second Step?
K-5 Program 6-8 Program
 Benefits of SEL

Improved
Academic
Performance SEL Programs Studied Social Competence is a
Return $11 for Every Predictor of Future
$1 Invested Outcomes

SEL Helps Prevent School-Wide Gains

Bullying in SEL Support Among
Parents

(Committee for Children, 2023)

 02

Second Step’s Character

Themes
Social Emotional Learning Themes for K-5

Skills for Empathy

Learning

Emotion Problem-
Management
Solving
 Skills for Learning

K- 3 Skills: 4- 5 Skills:
● Learning to Listen ● Listening & Attention
● Focusing Attention ● Conversations and Compliments
● Following Directions ● Joining In
● Self-Talk for Staying on Task ● Understanding Different
● Being Assertive Perspectives
● Being Respectful
● Planning to Learn
 Empathy

4- 5 Skills:
K- 3 Skills: ● Respect
● Being Assertive
● Feelings ● Respecting Similarities and
● Identifying Anger Differences
● Showing Care and Concern ● Understanding Complex
● Compassion Feelings
● Making Friends ● Understanding Different
● Accepting Difference Perspectives
● Conversations and Compliments
● Compassion
 Emotion Management

K- 3 Skills:
● Managing Frustration
● Calming Down Strong Feelings
● Managing Anger - Self Talk
● Managing Worry
● Managing Embarrassment
● Handling Accusations
● Managing Hurt Feelings
4- 5 Skills:
● Managing Strong Feelings
● Calming Down Anger
● Managing Anxiety
● Handling Put-Downs
● Resisting Revenge
● Managing Frustration
● Avoiding Assumptions
 Problem-Solving

K- 3 Skills:
● Fair Ways to Play
● Handling Name-Calling
● Taking Responsibility
● Playground Exclusion
● Dealing with Negative Peer Pressure
4- 5 Skills:
● Solving Playground Problems
● Taking Responsibility for Your
Actions
● Dealing with Peer Pressure
● Dealing with Gossip
● Seeking Help
Second Step 5th Grade Sample
Lesson

In this lesson, students will learn how to identify

when and where to work on solving a problem, and
who should be included.

Lesson Plan (PDF)

Lesson Presentation
 Second Step for Grade 6-8

Please click
the video.
Social Emotional Learning Themes for
Grades 6–8

Thoughts, Emotions
Mindsets & & Decisions
Goals

Recognizing
Managing
Bullying &
Relationships &
Harassment
Social Conflict
Mindsets & Goals
 Learning to develop a growth mindset
 Learning to apply research-based goal-setting strategies
 Set and achieve collective and personal goals
 Learn from challenges
 Recognize personal strengths
 Explore their identities.
 Recognizing Bullying & Harassment

 Learning to recognize bullying

 Harassment
 Stand up safely to bullying
 Respond appropriately to harassment.
 Empathy
 Factors contributing to negative behaviors
 solutions
 Thoughts, Emotions & Decisions

 Learning to recognize strong emotions

 Unhelpful thoughts
 Apply strategies for managing emotions
 Reducing stress.
 Respond to emotions
 Meet wants and needs.
 Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

 Develop healthy relationships

 Maintain relationships
 Perspective-taking
 Deal with conflict.
 Honor differences
 Understand differences
Second Step Grade 6-8 Sample
Lessons
Second Step Grade 6 Sample Lesson

In this lesson, students will learn ways to

communicate during a conflict to keep it from
escalating.

Lesson Plan (PDF)

Lesson Presentation
Second Step Grade 7 Sample Lesson

In this lesson, students will learn how to use

positive self-talk to reframe a challenging situation.

Lesson Plan (PDF)

Lesson Presentation
Second Step Grade 8 Sample Lesson

In this lesson, students will learn how the physical

space and rules within an area can make bullying
and harassment more likely to happen.

Lesson Plan (PDF)

Lesson Presentation
 References
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The Impact of Enhancing Students’
Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432.
https://doi-org.cui.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x

KENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. (2018, June 23). Social Emotional Learning / Grades 6-8.
Www.kent.k12.Wa.us. https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/Page/11788

Middle School Curriculum | Second Step. (2018). Secondstep.org.

https://www.secondstep.org/middle-school-curriculum

Pérez-Clark, P., Royer, D. J., Austin, K. S., & Lane, K. L. (2022). A Systematic Review of Second Step
Social-Emotional Skills Program in Middle Schools. Remedial and Special Education,
074193252211319. https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325221131913
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