Curriculums are important, but developing social-emotional management skills will benefit students as they conduct themselves in their public and private lives.  I had the opportunity to conduct a lesson on emotional processing during my teacher practicum with Grade 8 students.  I shared with them three steps for addressing a situation: assessing feelings, needs, and requests.   

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Addressing a Situation:

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1. Feelings- the emotions we experience as a result of a situation.

2. Needs- what we want to happen which would improve the situation.

3. Requests- what actions we can take to achieve our needs and benefit our feelings.

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For example, 

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Situation: My teacher doesn’t answer my questions in class.

Feelings: upset, frustrated, unappreciated 

Needs: more attention in class

Requests: talk to the teacher, talk to administration, time after class for questions

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In my class, I handed them this sheet to put this concept into practice.  I had them work with a partner on any one situation of their choosing.  Then they went around the room to other pairs who had chosen a different situation, and shared their thoughts and choices until the they had considered every situation.  Social situations come up throughout our lives, and this is a strategy that can help students feel more in control of what they can do change a situation for the better.  I learned that this is an effective method for teachers and students to conduct themselves in a professional, supportive manner.