Impact of Social-Emotional Learning in a Low-Income Elementary School
Level of Education of Students Involved
Undergraduate
Faculty Sponsor
Selina Bartels
Streaming Media
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Elementary Education
ORCID Identifier(s)
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0887-4575
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 4-25-2024
Abstract
I conducted research in a first grade classroom at Lake Hills Elementary School in Michigan City, Indiana. The purpose of my research was to answer the question of how social-emotional learning (SEL) impacts the wellbeing and behavior of students in regards to being implemented in the classroom. I found this to be particularly significant to Lake Hills Elementary School based on the backgrounds of my students; most of which stemmed from low-income and/or low support households. I hypothesized that by implementing a stronger SEL presence in the first grade classroom that I have been completing my student teaching in, there would be a smaller frequency of poor behaviors and choices being made throughout the school day. According to research that I completed prior to implementing this hypothesis into my classroom, I found information regarding the impact of SEL instruction on students who are identified as a minority race or low socioeconomic status. Additionally, I conducted research on how SEL instruction assists with developing character among students. The results that I documented were all positive, which gave me hope with my own research. I collected data from mid-February through March in order to see the effect of the SEL instruction that I included in the classroom. Most data was monitored based on student behavior. I took this data directly from the behavior-tracking methods that my students could use to monitor themselves through charts. The results from my research yielded an overall positive impact of SEL on my students.
Recommended Citation
Peacock, Grace, "Impact of Social-Emotional Learning in a Low-Income Elementary School" (2024). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 1316.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/1316
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Grace Peacock is a senior elementary education major with a social work direct practice minor. Currently, she is in the process of completing her semester of student teaching in a first grade classroom at Lake Hills Elementary School located in Michigan City, Indiana. Her current students are what inspired her research topic for this project, as she believes that it is important to build both knowledge and character in each child.