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the Human Values Foundation |
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Read more about Social and Emotion Education - a programme for secondary schools. |
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Why did the Human Values Foundation create another programme to teach values and life- skills to young people? “The Human Values Foundation created the Social and Emotional Education programme because the now successful and proven Primary programme called Education in Human Values is already established in many Primary schools. The Human Values Foundation feels that it is important that the values and life-skills which are explored, developed and internalised during the early years, are extended to meet the requirements of older students (12+) and we needed a new approach to meet the challenges faced by this audience.”
How does it differ from the Education in Human Values programme for Primary schools? “The Social and Emotional Education programme carries forward all the essential elements of the Primary programme with its universal, core values of Truth, Love, Peace, Right Action and Non Violence and is therefore similar to the programme for Primary schools but it has a more mature approach in its subject matter and the way in which the teacher presents the programme to the class. Most importantly, it caters for the fast developing emotions and attitudes of the older children during a period of significant change and increased awareness. Crucially, the Social and Emotional Education programme is presented in a way that older students will appreciate - through inclusion in discussion and participation in dialogue. This is important to this age group as they respond well to be consulted and listened to. By adopting this consultative process and by creating interaction, experience shows that we are more likely to engage the interests of the older students, who tend to switch off when they are talked at through “chalk and talk” as teachers describe it. By contrast, when students are engaged through dialogue and the exchange of ideas, the teacher is more effective in helping them to find answers, in order to tackle the complex issues and life choices that they will face even before they leave the school environment. The Social and Emotional Education programme provides a blueprint to guide the teacher on how best to achieve this.”
What does the Social and Emotional Education programme cover in its syllabus? “The programme builds on students’ experience of translating the core values and many ‘related values’, incorporating them into their understanding of everyday life. Multi-cultural in its approach to Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), Citizenship and Emotional Literacy, it builds confidence, self-esteem and helps to tackle problems such as racism, drug abuse and violence. The programme also helps students develop a healthy life-style, good relationships, caring attitudes, confidence and responsibility.”
Why is the Social and Emotional Education programme needed? Don’t teachers already do this in class anyway? “Social and Emotional Education is a coherent, easy-to-follow-programme, which meets students’ different learning styles. It is an instant boon for busy teachers who can use it to explore a values system in an exciting and innovative way with their students. The comprehensive, ready-to-go resource pack, teeming with practical, inspirational ideas, includes a Teacher’s Manual and two volumes of Lesson Plans (some lessons contain up to 20 pages), providing teaching material for two or three years. Use of the programme requires little preparation by teachers, who appreciate the photocopiable resources and find the course not only easy to use but also very stimulating, interesting and enjoyable. A variety of teaching techniques and materials are employed, including discussions, role play, quotations, worksheets, creative and extended activities. The truly universal approach appeals to students and teachers alike.”
Have you had any feedback about the Social and Emotional Education programme from teachers “in the field”? “We have piloted some of the Lesson Plans in classes and the feedback has been very positive. As a result of the complexity of some of the issues being tackled, we have consulted with a number of teachers and used their suggestions for improvements after they have applied it in the “real world”. The Foundation believes that this was an important part of the programme’s development. So often, courses are designed in a bubble and are too idealistic or unrealistic in what they aim to achieve. Our testing process has ensured that the programme’s “feet” are firmly on the ground. One teacher comments: “I have used the course with a top set – Year 8 class - for the past 6 weeks. I have found the resources to be extremely user-friendly and the topics well suited to ages 12/13+. I liked the interactive approach the books take. The variety of activities suggested catered for all learning styles and would easily be integrated with English or ICT. C. Lanham (Yr 9 PSE) Downside Middle School, Isle of Wight. |
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© 2005 Human Values Foundation |
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Teaching Values and Citizenship in our schools |
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See Human Values Education at work in schools |
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The Social and Emotional Education programme comprises of a manual for teachers and a complete set of lesson plans for 2-3 years.
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Ordering information. |
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June Auton talks about the new Human Values course - Social and Emotional Education - a programme for secondary schools |
