Whole Learner, Whole Language: Integrating Wellness and Multiliteracies for EL Success
- Jan 19
- 6 min read
Katherine Brummett, Clardy Elementary Gladstone, Missouri
Intro
The goal of this project is to enhance literacy for English Learners (ELs) by integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and holistic wellness practices into the curriculum. Through intentional wellness activities and lessons, the project aims to build student confidence and promote self-understanding through intentional wellness lessons and activities. It also encourages the use of home languages to affirm cultural identity, validate funds of knowledge, and enrich classroom dialogue. The project seeks to foster meaningful connections among students by creating a supportive, community-focused learning environment. Ongoing monitoring and evaluating of student engagement and interpersonal dynamics will help to continuously refine and strengthen our practices over time.
Step-by-Step Plan
Step 1: Preparation and Resource Gathering
Prepare for the new semester by gathering and reviewing culturally relevant SEL materials, lesson plan templates, and guidelines for community circles that encourage sharing about home languages and traditions.
Step 2: Implementation of SEL and Multiliteracy Lessons
Launch the project by integrating purposeful wellness lessons that incorporate home language use and multiliteracy activities. Introduce community circles where students share aspects of their everyday life, including family routines and cultural practices.
Step 3: Ongoing Data Collection and Monthly Reflection
Collect data on student engagement, participation, and classroom interactions through continuous observation and questioning. Keep a reflective journal noting student responses, engagement levels, and instances of conflict resolution to understand shifts in self-confidence and interpersonal dynamics.
Step 4: In-Depth Reflection and Impact Analysis
After ongoing data collection, conduct a deep reflection on the project. Carefully analyze observed changes, from students’ increased self-confidence and community connection to shifts in classroom conflict, and evaluate the impact of home language integration on multiliteracy.
Step 5: Long-Term Planning and Replicability
Document all processes, tools, and insights gained from the project. Use this documentation to refine the approach for future semesters and to create a replicable model that other teachers can adapt in their classroom.
Timeline
Prior to the start of the school year, prepare and gather resources.
Begin implementing SEL and multiliteracy lessons as a regular part of classroom practice.
Conduct ongoing data collection with brief monthly reflections throughout the semester.
Carry out an in-depth reflection and impact analysis at the end of the semester.
Prior to the start of the next school year, plan for long term and replicability goals.
Budget
Materials
Merriam-Webster's Pocket Spanish-English
Dictionary
Merriam-Webster’s Illustrated Spanish - English Student Dictionary
Merriam-Webster’s Spanish - English Visual Dictionary
English Vietnamese Picture Dictionary
Tuttle Vietnamese - English Dictionary: Completely Revised and Updated second Edition
Rosetta Stone French Picture Dictionary, French Dictionary to Learn French Vocabulary and Phrases, Dictionary for Kids and Adults
Merriam-Webster’s Pocket French-English Dictionary
My First Swahili Alphabet Book.
Swahili-English book for bilingual children
Learn Swahili for Beginners, My First 1000 Words: Bilingual Swahili-English Language Learning Book for Kids & Adults
My First 700 Words English arabic For Kids And Beginners
My Magical Choices - Teach Kids to Choose a Great Day with their Choices
QUOKKA 364 Flash Cards for Kids Adults - Real Life Large preschool Flash Cards
THE BAMBINO TREE Phonics Flash Cards
Spanish is my Superpower
Listening with My Heart: A story of kindness and self-compassion
Same, Same But Different
Why?: A Conversation about Race
America, My Love, America, My Heart
All of Us: The Magic of Diversity: Social Emotional Picture Book for Kids about Kindness, Empathy, Inclusion, Acceptance, and Making Friends
Room for Everyone
I am Perfectly Designed
Ruby’s Chinese New Year
Our Lunar New Year
What If We Were All The Same!: A Children’s Rhyming Book About Belonging and Diversity
Layla’s Happiness
Me and My Feelings: A Kids’ Guide to Understanding and Expressing Themselves
Mindfulness Workbook for Kids: 60+ Activities to Focus, Stay Calm, and Make Good Choices
A Little SPOT of Feelings and Emotions Educator’s Guide
We Are Together
Permission to Feel
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience
We Are Family
All About Diversity
Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners
Native American Stories for Kids: 12 Traditional Stories from Indigenous Tribes across North America
We are Water Protectors
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners
Our Big Book of First WOrds: A collection of 100+ Foundational Words for Language Development
Eyes That Speak to the Stars
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
You Matter
Merriam - Webster’s Elementary Dictionary
Eat Your Superpowers!: How Colorful Foods Keep You Healthy and Strong
Special Supplies Therapy Putty for Kids and Adults - Resistive Hand Exercise Stress Relief Kit, Set of 6 Strengths, 3 Ounces of Each Putty - Ocean Colors
Anabalulu Magnetic Building Tiles, 134PCS Large Magnet Building Set, Magnetic Blocs, 3D STEM Stacking Toys, Magnets Toy for Kids Boys Girls
Curious 2 Learn 300pcs Pastel Building Blocks STEM Toy
Tucimibo Jumbo Balancing Stones Toy Set, Polyhedral Plastic Stacking Rocks Educational Creative Preschool Arts Learning sensor Building Blocks Puzzle Toy
Really Good Stuff Sensory Fidget Tactile Tokens - Set of 8
Richtim Kids Humanoid Suction Sensory Toys: 24 Pack Creative Suction Toy
Autism Sensory Fidget Toys, Autistic ADHD FIgette Ball Calm Down
Fidget Toys Sensory Stone for Kids: 3 Pack Double Sided Textured Sensory Toys
Sensory Activity Board for Kids & Adults: Double Sided Stress Relif Sensory Board Toys with 40 Strings & Storage Bag
4 Pcs Marble Maxe Mat Sensory Fidget Stress Relief Toys Calming Sensory Mat Anxiety Relief Fabric Toys
Sensory Strips for Anxiety Calming Stickers, 72Pcs 2 Textured for Mood Calming
Learning Resources Cool Down Cubes Sensory Fidget Set, Fine Motor Skills
Sensory Autism Toys for Kids - Textured Stretchy Fidget Toys for Stress Anxiety
Mr. Pen - Spiky Sensory Rings, 10 Pack, Colorful Stress Relief Fidget Sensory Toys, Fidget Rings
Hand2mind Mindful Maze Board, Tactile Sensory Toys for Toddlers, Anxiety Relief Items, Calm Down Corner Supplies
4E’s Novelty Expandable Breathing Ball Sphere - Breathing Visual, Fidget Toys Expands from 6 to 12”
8Pcs 23Links Fidget wacky Tracks Fidget Toys for Kids Classroom Students
Super Z outlet Liquid Motion Bubbler for Sensory Play, Fidget Toy, Children Activity, Desk Top
Sensory Fidget Toys for Kids Adults, 12PCS Flexible Fidget Sticks for Stress Anxiety Autistic AHDD
Fidget Toys Sensory Stones for Kids: 24 Pack Textured Worry Stones for Adults
Sunshine Yoga Voyage yoga Math, 10 Pack, 72” x 24” Professional Studio and Gym Build Yoga Mats, 5mm Thick, Durable, Anti-Tear, Non-Slip Fitness and Exercise Mats
Sustainability
At its core, wellness is a way of life that can be integrated into any classroom to help students grow and learn about themselves as individuals, fostering more confident and assured learners. The clear framework and practical methods applied in my classroom can also be replicated by other educators who wish to implement similar practices in their own settings.
As I went through this process, I gained beneficial practices and resources to share with other teachers which will expand the reach of this project. The children's books and bilingual dictionaries will continue to be utilized by students and provide ELs opportunities to see themselves in texts. I taught my students how to care for the sensory items as well as the yoga mats in my classroom. This explicit teaching will ensure the longevity of our new resources.
Reflections
My experience teaching fourth grade has shown me that this year of schooling is full of academic growth and challenges, a desire for independence, and curiosity. Throughout this process I have found intentional and specific resources for my students to regulate, reflect, and recover from upset, frustration, and feelings of misunderstanding. The ELs in my classroom are thriving in fourth grade, they are making great progress academically in both content and language, as well as growing in confidence.
This project provided tools for my students to better understand themselves and their individual uniqueness, as well as the value they add to the classroom. I also saw students gravitate towards our new books as windows and mirrors that affirm their identity to help increase their sense of belonging. Having bilingual dictionaries increased curiosity about other languages and introduced the practice of translanguaging into my classroom. Students shared their languages and the rest of the class was engaged and excited to learn more about their peers.
Practicing yoga in the classroom got everyone moving and reallocated energy. When students needed a reset, they often used the yoga mats and different stretches to reduce frustration and unwanted feelings in order to reengage in the classroom. We often practiced self-regulation before lessons to ensure that our brains were engaged and ready to learn. The educator resources I implemented have brought in different mindfulness techniques, intentional lessons and activities to help teach specific skills such as focus, teamwork, and managing worry.
