Sharing and cooperation are cornerstones of a thriving classroom ecosystem. When students willingly share their knowledge, ideas, and experiences and embrace the spirit of cooperation and teamwork in the classroom, their learning potential exponentially increases. In an environment where collaboration thrives, a sense of unity and synergy among learners emerge, transcending the boundaries of individual achievement. As students pool their diverse perspectives and skills, they enrich the educational experience for everyone involved.
In this evidence-based SEL lesson, Polly the Friendship Parrot imparts valuable insights on sharing and cooperation. She begins the lesson with a brief recap on the previous topic of patience and courtesy, acknowledging that practicing these positive actions can sometimes be challenging. Polly emphasizes that when one makes a mistake or becomes impatient or uncourteous, it’s important to apologize and do better next time.
"In an environment where collaboration thrives, a sense of unity and synergy among learners emerge, transcending the boundaries of individual achievement. As students pool their diverse perspectives and skills, they enrich the educational experience for everyone involved."
Moving on to the main topic, Polly reveals her secret to having many good friends — sharing and cooperating. Polly explains that these actions help individuals connect and get along well with others. To drive the point home, the teacher writes the word "Cooperation" on the board, along with its definition, and encourages the students to repeat it together, reinforcing its meaning.
To deepen students’ understanding, the teacher elucidates the consequences of failing to share and cooperate, explaining that without these positive actions, individuals often find themselves trapped in an Unhappy Thoughts-Actions-Feelings Circle. By neglecting to share and cooperate, negative thoughts emerge, leading to unkind actions, and ultimately resulting in unhappy feelings.
Next, the teacher presents a scenario requiring students to share and cooperate actively. Together, they navigate the Happy Circle, experiencing the positive effects of working together and supporting one another. Through this exercise, students gain a deeper understanding of the rewards of helping one another succeed.
As the lesson draws to a close, the teacher introduces a creative and enjoyable coloring activity. The students are encouraged to work together, sharing their coloring tools and cooperating with their classmates to add vibrant hues to Polly's poster. Through this collaborative endeavor, the students not only reinforce the lesson's main principles but also witness the positive impact of sharing and cooperating on a tangible level.
This SEL lesson is a powerful tool for developing social awareness and relationship skills, both core competencies of SEL education. By encouraging sharing and cooperation, students learn to appreciate their peers' diverse perspectives and skills. This enhances their ability to work with others, communicate effectively, and build meaningful relationships within and beyond the classroom.
Pasela is a digital product presented by Positive Action.
Find out more