PAIN POCKETS

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

Cherokee Month of the End of Fruit Moon

SEL:  #1 Self-Awareness

         #3 Self-Management

Digital Learner:  #3 Digital Citizen

I was watching a medical series this summer and noticed pockets of tears and pain triggered by the emotions of the characters. I’d done my grief work after my husband died four years ago. My friend started a widow’s support group for me the year before his passing. We said goodbye 1,000 times in the years preceding his death. Nevertheless, other grief work was not done and it began to squirt out sideways.

As I explored my triggers, I discovered I had not grieved my Auntie’s death (mother’s older sister) in February, at age 99, because my husband was on hospice and died the following July, of the same year. He passed on a Friday. On Monday, I made a routine transfer of the property title, in the event of my sudden death, for one acre of land on a river now worth $475,000, in 2022. When my lawyer went to the courthouse, he discovered 50% of the property’s ownership had been sold the month prior to my husband’s passing! My retirement vanished. I was 67 years old.

I moved into an apartment, sold the property in December of the year my husband died, and split the modest sum with the co-owner of said property. What a mess! Doesn’t it make sense, in all of the chaos, that I would stuff my feelings and grieve “later”? I started a new business and took all of the continuing-ed classes at the college I could, to ground myself in business principles. I took on-line classes from best-selling children’s picture book authors. Next, I began my journey into the land-of-odd-and-strange: the world of independent publishing of children’s picture books on the subjects of earth science and feelings/emotions taught through humor and friendship. They include sight-words, phonics, and Learning-to-Learn Skills.

Four years later, I’m still untying the knots of frozen pain. I feel like Swiss cheese never knowing which hole I’ll fall into next. Our hearts emotionally arrest at the time of trauma then, at a safer time, we process all of our feelings. If not, they squirt out sideways. Not fun! No joy!

Things will get better when we do our work, make a plan, and don’t quit! Please note below the Commitments of Digital Citizens (2022) our teenagers are using as they learn technology in school.

Aloha love,

Carla

A kind word to one in trouble is often like a switch in a railroad track. . .an inch between wreck and smooth sailing.

                                                                                                                                           – Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

I am committed to being an effective member of the global digital community. Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners publishes children’s picture books, for ages 4-8, on feelings and emotions, earth science, and social-emotional learning (SEL). These books work to help children understand themselves and their place in the world through animal characters and diverse human companions. They provide Learning-to-Learn Skills, sight-words, and phonics to enrich academic development.

Commitments of a Digital Citizen (2022):

I am inclusive. I engage with others online with respect and empathy.

I am informed. I evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and validity of online information.

I am engaged. I use technology for civic engagement and to be a force for good.

I am balanced. I prioritize my time and activities online and offline.

I am alert. I know how to be safe online and create safe spaces for others.  digcitcommit.org  ISTE.org   

The 5 SEL Competencies:

 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.