Responsive Classroom
The Responsive Classroom model provides elementary educators with strategies for building strong classroom relationships, supporting student learning, and developing positive, inclusive school communities. The approach consists of a set of practices that build academic and social-emotional competencies that can be used throughout the educational experience. With consistent guidance and opportunities to practice, students gradually develop the confidence and independence to take greater responsibility for their learning.
Teachers work intentionally to build classroom communities where high-quality learning and collaboration go hand in hand. They teach and practice classroom routines, expectations, and social and academic skills. Through shared expectations, supportive relationships, and daily practice, students learn to contribute to a classroom environment in which everyone can learn and succeed.
Responsive Classroom Leading Competencies
Our elementary SEL framework uses Responsive Classroom’s C.A.R.E.S. competencies as a common language for teaching and reinforcing social and behavioral skills. The five competencies—Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control—provide a student-friendly structure that children can understand, practice, and apply throughout the school day.
Each competency will be introduced through a schoolwide assembly led by the principal. These assemblies establish shared language and expectations and provide a common experience that teachers and students can revisit throughout the year.
Following each assembly, teachers will reinforce the learning through classroom SEL lessons and Responsive Classroom Morning Meetings. The classroom lessons, called Classroom Connections, will break each competency into specific skills that students can discuss, practice, and apply in their daily interactions. This approach provides a consistent schoolwide foundation while giving teachers the flexibility to meet students where they are developmentally.
Character Trait of the Month: Cooperation
Throughout the school year, our MPS Elementary Responsive Classroom Facilitators Ms. Jennifer Ellis & Ms. Jessica MacIsaac will be creating newsletters for our elementary communities. These newsletters will inform caregivers about the Responsive Classroom Character Traits of the Month, habits for life and learning, discussions to have at home with your student, and other materials that connect to each month's theme.
Please see the October & November Traits of the Month: Cooperation.
To learn more about the Responsive Classroom approach, visit the Responsive Classroom website. For additional information about the research and competencies that inform social-emotional learning, explore CASEL and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.