BLOW-IT-OFF

 “One day . . . or day one.” Anonymous

 Cherokee month of the Windy Moon.


SEL:  #3 Self-Management   

         #5 Responsible Decision Making

Digital Learner:  #5 Knowledge Constructor

                              #6 Computational Thinker

My husband taught me a technique and I have found it profoundly valuable in social, family, and business settings. Working on a team can be complicated, even if it is a team of two in a marriage. We had an intense discussion for about seven minutes until one of us asked, “Hey, is this a blow-it-off?”

 As a drummer, for my husband, a blow-it-off could have been about driving in bad weather, other musicians in the band, the truck, the gear, the trailer, the venue, or the attendees at the venue. For me, school and my students can be festive, but a drive to school in poor weather, bad drivers who don’t know how to drive in the mountains, etc., irritate me.

He would tell me, “I need to blow this off. It has nothing to do with you and I am not mad at you. I just need to vent.”

Active listening is not done while washing the dishes or sorting laundry. It’s mirroring back what I thought I heard him say and then, letting him correct the facts.

When dealing with technology, emotions can cloud issues that #5 and #6 (above) are trying to solve.

 Aloha love,

 Carla

I am committed to being an effective member of the global digital community by writing children’s picture books on feelings and emotions and social-emotional learning (SEL). These books work to help children understand themselves and their place in the world and to enrich academic development.

The 5 SEL Competencies are: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. CASEL.org

The 7 Competencies for Technology in Education Empowered Learner: I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrating my learning.

Global Collaborator: I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others, and work effectively in teams using digital tools.

Digital Citizen: I understand the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world.

Creative Communicator: I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media.

Knowledge Constructor: I critically select, evaluate, and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge.

Computational Thinker: I identify authentic problems, work with data, and use a step-by-step process to automate solutions.

Innovative Designer: I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools. ISTE.org  

Disclaimer for Blog

This site cannot and does not contain social-emotional learning (SEL) or technology in education advice. These materials are provided for general informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice on any particular concerns or circumstances involved. This Blog: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone! aims to share ideas and best practices, in good faith, only. Any information sent to Carla Chapin, or to Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, LLC, through the website, Internet, or email is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis. The original content of the websites Carla Chapin, Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, LLC and the Blogs: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone! and Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, are copyrighted materials and are subject to the restrictions and protections set forth in the Copyright Act.

Comments

  1. Ahhh, I had to laugh and reminisce at the countless "blow it offs" encountered in the music business, as well as the teaching profession! Recognizing dialogue that indicates the speaker's need to vent or bounce something off another person for confirmation or alternate opinion is a much appreciated listening skill.

    Many times clearer insight or even just the ability to dismiss issues becomes evident after blowing off steam to an active listener. The act of organizing thoughts whirling around in the head in order to communicate them to another puts things into perspective, and a good listener can reflect information back to validate the emotion behind the words.

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