1. Implementing the Second Step Program
A partnership between home and school

2. What is the Second Step program?
It is a universal, classroom-based curriculum.
It is based on research.
Its lessons are developmentally appropriate and sequential.
Its materials are teacher-friendly.
It teaches students skills to help them be successful in school.

3. The Second Step program is a universal, classroom-based curriculum designed to:
Increase students’ school success
Decrease problem behaviors
Promote social-emotional competence
and self-regulation

4. The Second Step program is research-based
Self-regulation and school success
Executive-function skills
Differentiation between grade levels to reflect children’s development
Interactive teaching strategies
Best practices for developing and reinforcing skills

5. Lesson Length (minutes)
The Second Step program’s lessons are developmentally appropriate and sequential
Grade Level
Lesson Length (minutes)
Number of Lessons
Unit Topics K
20–25 25
Skills for Learning
Empathy
Emotion Management
Problem Solving 1
25–30 22 2
30–35 3 4
35–40
Empathy and Skills for Learning 5

6. Second Step program materials are teacher-friendly
Color photo-lesson cards
Media: CDs and DVDs
Teaching resources online

10. The Second Step program teaches students skills to help them be successful in school
Being successful in school requires the ability to:
Cooperate with adults and meet school expectations
Focus attention
Remember directions
Stay on task
Handle emotional challenges
Get along with teachers and other students

11. Home Links
Home Links are activities sent home for students to complete with an adult caregiver, then sign and return to the classroom teacher.
Home Links can be provided by the counselor or found online by the teacher.

13. Reinforcing Second Step Skills Schoolwide
Using consistent language and problem-solving strategies
Having consistent expectations for behaviors in common areas (playground, hallway, bathroom, lunchroom)
Connect to home- ‘home link’ activities , online resources (songs, games, videos)