3 Ways to Use PBIS Points to Support Social-Emotional Learning in Your School

One memory that is very vivid to me is “Meditation Monday.” Sitting in the dark, taking deep breaths to some relaxing music. This is how we would start our mornings every Monday. Strangely enough, this memory was one of my favorites as a 2nd grader (aside from recess). 

I didn’t know the meaning behind “Mediation Monday.” I just knew it relaxed me every morning for 5 minutes…and prepared me for the day. 

Looking back on this memory, as a teacher, this was “mindfulness.” It was a strategy my teacher used to encourage Social Emotional Learning–specifically teaching a tool to use for stressful moments. 

In this article, I am going to discuss the importance of social-emotional learning and how it goes “hand in hand” with PBIS points. I am also going to give you ideas on how you can use PBIS points to support Social Emotional Learning in your very own classroom!

What is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of helping students develop the skills and mindsets they need to succeed in school and life. It is an educational method that aims to foster social and emotional skills within the student. 

This amazing process assists with instructing the whole child, not just their academics in school.

What are PBIS points?

PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) is a framework for promoting and celebrating good behavior in the classroom. PBIS points reward positive behavior for students. 

LiveSchool, specifically, awards students with digital PBIS points and tracks behavior trends for school staff.  

A point system works because students are not only rewarded with points to celebrate preferred behavior, but it also gives them a choice to “cash in” those points for items or privileges. 

To sum it up, SEL is the lesson we teach to be a well-rounded individual. We use PBIS points to award the student for positive behaviors seen.   

Combining PBIS Points and Social-Emotional Learning

As teachers, our role is to educate young minds. However, our roles are much broader than that. 

As we see the structure of school look different, no longer a “closed door” policy, more and more educators are collaborating with one another in order to instruct the whole child, not just the academic components. After all, we are educating future citizens. 

The lessons we teach need to go beyond taking a test, learning to read, or adding and subtracting. While those are important, we are shaping the future. We are educating future grocery workers, engineers, lawyers, doctors, and future teachers! 

Making sure students are able to collaboratively work well with others, self-regulate if they are upset, communicate when there is an issue, or problem-solving are all necessities needed in the real world. 

Educating children on social-emotional skills is needed to shape children into well-rounded individuals. Which then allows teachers to reward positive behaviors in the classroom with LiveSchool points. 

Let me give you an example: Our monthly SEL goal is to communicate kindly when there is an issue involving friendships. The other day on the playground, I overheard a student using an “I feel” statement that was taught in class.

“I feel upset when you run away from me on the playground.” 

The other student responded with:

“I was playing a game and didn't know you were upset. I’m sorry.”

Both of these students were awarded LiveSchool points for applying what they were taught in a social situation, using “I feel” statements, and hearing each other out. 

How Can You Use PBIS Points to Support Social-Emotional Learning?

PBIS and SEL are intertwined: the ultimate goal of PBIS in your school is to catch behavior problems before they become critical issues–SEL helps students recognize how their own emotions contribute to those same behaviors. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Gather Classroom Social-Emotional Learning Data

Know your students. Each and every one of them. The data you find will assist with information about your class.

It also provides information on the students who may need more targeted support. Understanding your students assists with PBIS because a student could be struggling with a specific SEL area and that could be the root cause of the behavior. 

Rewarding students with PBIS points becomes a whole lot easier when you understand who your students are!

2. Make Frequent SEL Goals

Set SEL goals for your kids to achieve.  Every couple of weeks, I create a new SEL goal for our classroom…with a fun twist.

Print out a jumbo face of your pet and accessorize every season! Each time I accessorize her, she has a new SEL goal in her speech bubble. 

We call it “Stella’s SEL goal.” Last month, the goal was “What things can you do to be a great test taker?” 

Every morning meeting, my star student of the week asks about the SEL goal for our class. My students and I have a 3-5 minute discussion every morning and elaborate on what the goals mean to them. 

Anytime I catch my students participating in our group discussions or applying a goal to a real-life scenario, they receive LiveSchool points.

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My students love participating in our SEL discussions because it is displayed in a unique way for them! That’s just one way I make SEL elementary-friendly!

3. Daily Check-ins

Students need to know you care about them. It goes back to building relationships with the kids inside and outside the classroom. Every morning, our class shares the good news and zone check-ins. 

This is embedded into our daily schedule. I use a stick system for good news and every student expresses their colored zones. 

“I’m red today because I got into a fight with my little sister, I’m green and happy, I’m yellow because I didn't get enough sleep last night.” 

These daily check-ins assist with communication and give insight into how the child may respond to instructions for that day. It also helps with identifying non-preferred behavior and why a student may be acting a particular way.

Looking Further into PBIS Points and Social-Emotional Learning

I have seen amazing improvement in my students’ self-awareness and ability to adapt to social situations by simply incorporating SEL goals with LiveSchool points. 

If you would like to explore more about how districts can combine concepts like PBIS and SEL head over to Spotify and listen to Dedeeh Newbern, Fayette County Public Schools Director of Student Support, on Episode 25 of The LiveSchool Podcast.