Emotional intelligence is an important factor in the success of students. Ideally, students enter your classroom with the ability to be self-aware and manage their emotions so that they can pursue academic success. Sadly, this is not always the case and it is left to the schools to help students grow in this area. You (The Classroom Leader) have to tend to this as well as deliver outstanding instruction. Many schools are stepping up to meet the needs of students in the area of emotional intelligence. However, these lessons need to be continuously taught in the classroom as well. Often, teachers have to take the initiative to find tools/resources to address non-academic needs in the classroom.

Thankfully, there are a number of resources available to teachers to help them build their students emotional intelligence. I recently took my kids to the bookstore and we came across Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang. The main character of the book is Jim the chimpanzee. Throughout the book, other characters bring to his attention that his countenance is conveying the idea that he’s having a bad day. Jim constantly refutes this and becomes increasingly irate. Ultimately, he begins to self reflect and he realizes that he is not in a good place. He is having a bad day. What I really like about this book is that students from elementary all the way up to high school and beyond can get something from this book. I highly recommend it and I am using it with my daughter to help her stop and self reflect when she becomes emotionally charged. Lastly, don’t think that middle/high school students won’t receive from this book. Remember, there’s a certain Dr. Seuss book that sells like crazy during graduation season.

MB

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