Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) :Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) Theme 3: Learning about me Year 8


Learning opportunities :Learning opportunities How would I feel? Take my advice When worrying gets in the way Looking on the bright side Positive psychology Emotions and memory Emotional memories Feelings and moods Review of the theme


Learning opportunity 1: How would I feel? :Learning opportunity 1: How would I feel? Overall learning outcome 14. I understand that how I express my feelings can have a significant impact both on other people and on what happens to me. Year 8 learning outcome None specific.


You will need: :You will need: Resource sheet 3.1.1 – Situation cards


3.1.1 Situations :3.1.1 Situations Looking after a baby or toddler In lessons Learning Running a marathon Taking part in a play Playing football Out with friends In my family At work Watching a film Painting a picture Cooking a meal Going shopping Driving a car Group work


Learning opportunity 2: Take my advice :Learning opportunity 2: Take my advice Overall learning outcome 15. I have a range of strategies for managing impulses and strong emotions so they do not lead me to behave in ways that would have negative consequences for me or for other people. Year 8 learning outcomes I can identify what my triggers are for feeling scared or anxious. I can tell people how I feel. I can manage strong feelings.


You will need: :You will need: Resource sheet 3.2.1 – Strip cartoon Resource sheet 3.2.2 – Feelings (NB: This is taken from Year 7 SEAL)


Learning opportunity 3: When worrying gets in the way :Learning opportunity 3: When worrying gets in the way Overall learning outcome 26. I can identify barriers to achieving a goal and identify how I am going to overcome them. Year 8 learning outcome I know what things motivate me and use this to meet a medium- or long-term goal.


You will need: :You will need: Resource sheet 3.2.1 – Strip cartoon Resource sheet 3.2.2 – Feelings (NB: This is taken from Year 7 SEAL)


Learning opportunity 4: Looking on the bright side :Learning opportunity 4: Looking on the bright side Overall learning outcomes 15. I have a range of strategies for managing impulses and strong emotions so they do not lead me to behave in ways that would have negative consequences for me or for other people. 17. I understand how health can be affected by emotions and know a range of ways to keep myself well and happy. 18. I have a range of strategies to reduce, manage or change strong and uncomfortable feelings such as anger, anxiety, stress and jealousy. Year 8 learning outcomes I can manage my anxiety. I have thought about what makes me feel good and use this to make me feel well and happy.


You will need: :You will need: Resource sheet 3.4.1 – Coping strategy cards Resource sheet 3.4.2 – Catastrophe consequences Resource sheet 3.4.3 – Catastrophe quiz


Learning opportunity 5: Positive psychology :Learning opportunity 5: Positive psychology Overall learning outcome 23. I can look to long-term not short-term benefits and can delay gratification (for example, working hard for a test or examination now to get a good job or into further/higher education later). Year 8 learning outcomes I can plan to develop areas of learning that I find difficult. I can identify obstacles (lack of motivation) that might stop me reaching my goal. I can identify what to change in terms of my learning or behaviour in order to meet a long-term goal.


You will need: :You will need: I am grateful for:


Positive psychology :Positive psychology Keep a gratitude journal. These can be big things (like ‘I’m grateful for my family’) and small things (like ‘I’m grateful for that nice meal I had today.’) ‘When we focus on the positive, we stop taking our lives for granted, and we become happier.’ Sweat it out. Working out can do wonders for the way you feel. In fact, a recent study at Duke University showed working out for 30 minutes three times a week is equivalent to popping Zoloft (this is a drug that can be used to help people who are depressed or anxious). Ben-Shahar, T. Tips for Happiness © Tal Ben-Shahar. Used with kind permission


Positive psychology :Positive psychology Other strategies we might consider are: Socialise. When we are with people we like it often lifts our spirits, especially if we ‘have a laugh’ or do something together. The power of music and song. Music is a great way to change the way we feel, but we need to choose wisely what we listen to. When we feel down we often choose music that fits the way we feel and that makes us feel even ‘lower’.


Learning opportunity 6: Emotions and memory :Learning opportunity 6: Emotions and memory Overall learning outcome 9. I understand why feelings sometimes ‘take over’ or get out of control and know what makes me angry or upset. Year 8 learning outcomes I understand that sometimes thoughts and feelings are triggered by emotional memories. I understand the power of emotional memories to trigger thoughts and feelings. I can understand that emotional memories can create feelings that can get out of control.


You will need: :You will need: Invite the pupils to collect photographs depicting both strong emotions and others that are emotionally neutral from the internet, newspapers or magazines, and number each one. Prepare six to eight sets (one for each small group) of about 12 to 18 photographs or pictures.


Learning opportunity 7: Emotional memories :Learning opportunity 7: Emotional memories Overall learning outcome 9. I understand why feelings sometimes ‘take over’ or get out of control and know what makes me angry or upset. Year 8 learning outcomes I understand that sometimes thoughts and feelings are triggered by emotional memories. I understand the power of emotional memories to trigger thoughts and feelings. I can understand that emotional memories can create feelings that can get out of control.


You will need: :You will need: Resource sheet 3.7.1 – Did it really happen?


Learning opportunity 8:Feelings and moods :Learning opportunity 8:Feelings and moods Overall learning outcome 8. I know and accept what I am feeling, and can label my feelings. Year 8 learning outcomes I can recognise what mood I am in and what might help me change it if I need to. I understand the difference between feelings and moods. I can recognise and acknowledge the moods I am experiencing.


You will need: :You will need: Photocards – moods Resource sheet 3.8.1– Scenario cards Resource sheet 3.8.2 – Feeling prompt cards


Learning opportunity 9: Review of the theme :Learning opportunity 9: Review of the theme Overall learning outcome 14. I understand that how I express my feelings can have a significant impact both on other people and on what happens to me. Year 8 learning outcomes I know what my triggers are for feeling excitement. I can use different ways to manage my excitement.


You will need: :You will need: Resource sheet 3.9.1 – Review of the theme challenge