Lindell Elementary School students transformed the sidewalks outside their school into a symbolic work of art during a “Chalk the Walk” activity on Sept. 29. This annual event ties in with the district’s emphasis on social-emotional learning, as it reviews an array of emotions with a focus on self-awareness.

This year’s event featured a new approach; it was introduced through morning meetings held by all classes, more affectionately known as Lindell’s Social Emotional Learning Families (S.E.L.F.). The groups explored a rainbow of feelings and moods and learned to identify their own as well as recognize those in others. They reviewed related vocabulary words and discussed visual representations for the various emotions, which were incorporated into the chalk portion of the event.

Each class had the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and sunshine during a drawing activity, in which they created beautiful displays of self-expression using colored chalk. As a science component, some teachers also described the steps through which chalk is made. Students illustrated their school’s outside grounds with a collage of pictures, ranging from hearts and flowers to suns and faces. 

The district’s approach to social and emotional learning is the CASEL competency framework. The philosophy focuses on the key competencies of self-awareness, social awareness, relationship tools, responsible decision-making and self-management.