Tennessee K–6 social-emotional learning standards

Recognizes and accurately names emotions/feelings

Identifies and communicates an emotion/feelings

Describes emotions and the situations that cause them

Describes personal likes and dislikes

Recognizes personal qualities and interests

Identifies an interest as it relates to personal experiences

Identifies and describes preferences

Identifies likes and dislikes

Describes things one does well or the knowledge they have

Describes an activity/task in which one may need help in order to improve

Understands and follows school-wide expectations for safe and productive learning

Recognizes that there are positive and negative consequences of personal choices, behaviors, and actions

Demonstrates responsible use and care of personal and others’ belongings

Identifies attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning

Advocates for themselves by asking for help

Identifies at least one adult they trust

Identifies situations in which they need to seek help from an adult

Recognizes how and where to get help in an emergency situation

Identifies sources of common stress and demonstrates the ability to manage emotions

Identifies and describes how emotions relate to thoughts and behaviors

Describes and practices using words to share their emotions about an interaction or situation

Identifies a short-term goal (wish, dream)

Identifies the steps needed to accomplish a short-term goal

Identifies people/resources needed to meet one’s short-term goal

Recognizes if a goal is under one’s own control or someone else’s

Describes something they have accomplished

Recognizes the emotions/feelings of others by using attention and/or listening skills to assess facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice

Recognizes the effect of words and actions on others’ emotions

Recognizes and names how others within their school, home, and community help them

Identifies how to help others

Expresses how it feels to help others

Describes characteristics of two people that are similar and different

Name common traditions of a variety of world cultures.

Develops and maintains friendships

Uses positive communication and behaviors such as: taking turns,

Uses positive communication and behaviors such as: sharing with others,

Uses positive communication and behaviors such as: saying “please”, “thank you,” and/or “excuse me,”

Uses positive communication and behaviors such as: using compliments to encourage others, and

Uses positive communication and behaviors such as: paying attention when others are talking

Effectively and appropriately communicates needs, wants, and ideas in a respectful manner

Identifies multiple types of relationships they have with others

Identifies and practices appropriate behaviors that maintain positive relationships

Lists traits of a good friend

Demonstrates the ability to make friends and sustain positive relationships

Begins to develop and practice the use of problem-solving and conflict resolution skills

Recognizes that there are many ways to solve conflicts and practice solving problems using different methods, including using “I” messages

Identifies and states feelings and problems when in a conflict situation

Identifies interpersonal problems that need adult help to resolve, and appropriately asks for help

Recognizes that one has choices in how to respond in a situation and that all choices have consequences

Identifies and illustrates safe and unsafe situations

Identifies the difference between a stranger, acquaintance, and friend

Implements stop, think, act, review strategies in solving problems

Demonstrates appropriate social and classroom behavior

Demonstrates constructive academic behaviors

Recognizes intensity levels of emotions in different situations

Recognizes how emotions can change

Recognizes how thoughts are linked with emotions and emotions are linked to behavior

Describes ways emotions impact behavior(s)

Compares likes and dislikes of self and others and is aware of personal qualities and interests of self and others

Understands the relationship between interests and continued experiences and development

Demonstrates awareness that personal qualities and interests affect decision-making

Identifies strengths and limitations

Describes and prioritizes strengths and interests that one wants to develop

Defines what it means to be responsible and identifies ways one can be responsible in everyday life in school and in the community

Explains the benefits of being responsible

Demonstrates responsible behaviors

Demonstrates the ability to say "No" to negative peer pressure and explain why it is important

Self-advocates to support responsible choices and to avoid negative behaviors by reaching out to adults for assistance

Recognizes qualities of positive role models

Identifies positive adults in various facets of their lives

Identifies peer, home, and school supports and/or resources to help solve problems

Uses self-monitoring strategies (i.e., self-talk) to manage stress and regulate emotions

Identifies the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and actions

Demonstrates skills to respond effectively to pressure situations (e.g., calm down, walk away, seek help, or meditation)

Expresses emotions in a respectful manner

Distinguishes between short- and long-term goals

Describes why learning is important in helping them achieve personal goals

Identifies ability to meet the goal independently or with supports

Identifies personal skills, planning, or strategies that lead to accomplishments

Evaluates what one might have done differently to achieve greater success on a recent goal

Recognizes the emotions of others by using listening and/or visual cues

Recognizes multiple points of view or perspectives in a situation

Recognizes non-verbal, environmental, or social cues to identify the emotions and perspectives of others

Predicts the impact of one’s own behavior on the emotions of others

Describes what they learned about themselves in helping others

Shares reasons for helping others

Identifies ways to contribute to their school, home, and community

Works collaboratively with peers to complete a job, task, or address a need

Defines stereotyping, discrimination, and prejudice

Recognizes the similarities of different cultures and social groups

Recognizes the value of cultures and social groups

Gives and receives compliments in a genuine manner

Uses active listening skills to foster better communication

Demonstrates good sportsmanship: plays fairly

Demonstrates good sportsmanship: is a gracious winner

Demonstrates good sportsmanship: is an accepting loser

Demonstrates cooperative behaviors in a group (e.g., listens, encourages, acknowledges opinions, compromises, and reaches consensus)

Recognizes the difference between helpful and harmful behaviors in a relationship

Identifies a problem in a relationship and determines the appropriate means of resolution (e.g., problem-solving process, peer mediation, adult assistance)

Describes the positive and negative impact of peer pressure on self and others

Shows an understanding of conflict as a natural part of life

Describes ways to be proactive and prevent conflict

Describes causes and effects of conflicts, including how one’s behavior impacts personal and others’ emotions

Distinguishes between destructive and constructive ways of dealing with conflicts

Activates steps of the conflict resolution (problem solving) process (active listening, expressing feelings, identifying the problem, brainstorming solutions, make amends etc.)

Identifies social norms that affect decision making

Defines cyber-bullying and response strategies

Understands bullying and how to respond to support the victim or targeted person/group

Describes steps of a decision-making model

Effectively participates in group decision-making

Reflects on the pros and cons of the decision made or options considered

Recognizes uncomfortable emotions as indicators of situations in need of attention

Identifies emotional states that contribute to or detract from ability to problem solve

Explains the possible outcomes associated with the different forms of communicating emotions

Accommodates and plans for the likes and dislikes of a group

Identifies interaction between personal qualities and interests with academic activities and social opportunities

Demonstrates awareness that personal qualities and interests affect decision-making

Evaluates influence of personal qualities and interests on decision making

Identifies personal strengths and limitations as they relate to specific activities

Applies self-reflection techniques to recognize potential, strengths, and growth areas

Implements a plan to build on strengths or address limitations

Identifies areas of school and life that are within personal control

Plans and develops an action plan to set and achieve short- and long-term goals

Analyzes the short- and long-term outcomes between safe and responsible behavior versus risky and harmful behaviors on their health and well-being

Explains the connection between choice and responsibility for the consequences involved if they engage in risky and harmful behaviors

Recognizes, establishes, and adheres to personal boundaries and responsibilities

Identifies positive peer/adult support when needed

Evaluates the benefits of additional external supports when participating in extracurricular activities

Recognizes outside influences on the development of personal traits and discerns whether they are supportive or non-supportive

Maintains confidence during stress, emotional responses, or changing emotions

Recognizes the affective behavioral responses to thoughts, emotions, and actions

Reflects on possible consequences, both positive and negative, before expressing an emotion or behavior

Designs action plans for achieving short-term and long-term goals and establishing timelines

Identifies and utilizes potential resources for achieving goals (e.g., home, school, and community support)

Sets a positive character goal

Establishes criteria for evaluating personal and academic success

Demonstrates goal-setting skills related to potential career paths

Analyzes ways that a person’s emotions can be affected by the behavior of others

Accepts and shows respect for other people’s perspectives, opinions, or points of view

Explains how their decisions and behaviors affect the well-being of their school, home, and community

Explores a community or global need to generate possible solutions

Evaluates the impact of a school, home, or community initiative in which the student was personally involved

Recognizes the value of cultures and social groups

Analyzes how traditions and perspectives impact historical events

Recognizes how beliefs are shaped by personal experiences

Practices reflective listening

Demonstrates ability to perform different roles in a cooperative group to achieve group goals

Uses understanding of how and why others respond in a given situation (e.g., assertive, passive, or aggressive) in order to respond respectfully and effectively with others

Identifies appropriate and inappropriate uses of social and other media and the potential repercussions and implications

Distinguishes between helpful and harmful peer pressure

Demonstrates strategies for resisting harmful peer pressure

Is involved in positive activities with their peers

Develops friendships based on personal values

Identifies the impact of social media in developing and sustaining positive relationships

Identifies the difference between safe and risky behaviors in a relationship

Identifies the roles of individuals in conflict and understands one’s own responsibility in reaching resolution

Develops self-awareness of their part and actions in creating conflict (e.g., spreading rumors, use of social media, wrongful accusations)

Applies conflict resolution skills to deescalate, defuse, and resolve differences

Identifies and accesses positive supports when needed in a conflict situation/crisis

Stands up for other peers when they are teased, insulted, or left out

Analyzes the reasons for school and societal rules and their impact on decisions

Analyzes the impact of media on one’s behavior

Explains how honesty, respect, and compassion (empathy) enable one to take the needs of others into account

Identifies and applies the steps of systematic decision-making

Develops decision-making strategies for avoiding risky behavior

Defines how external influences impact decision-making

Analyze how decision-making skills affect study habits and academic performance