Wheeler Creative Studios
  • Wheeler Creative Studios
  • Rocketoons!
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
  • Wheeler Creative Studios
  • Rocketoons!
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

7/25/2019 1 Comment

How Rocketoons Align With the 5 Core Competencies of Social Emotional Learning

What exactly is SEL (social emotional learning)?
Who is teaching it?
How are they teaching it?

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL.org) is a group focused on collaborating with “leading experts and support districts, schools, and states nationwide to drive research, guide practice, and inform policy.” As the experts, here is what they say about SEL:

“SEL competencies are the essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and mindsets that individuals need to succeed. They are the product of SEL, through which schools and districts implement practices and policies that allow children and adults to acquire and apply those competencies. Commitment to SEL has the potential to shape a school’s partnerships with afterschool programs, families, and community members as they collaborate to educate the whole child.
 
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) introduced one of the field’s earliest set of SEL competencies in 1997, identifying a set of five core competencies that schools could promote in their students that are keys to academic and life success.”
Picture

​The Five Core Competencies:

1. Self-awareness - the ability to accurately recognize your own emotions, thoughts and values and how they influence your behavior. 
         •        emotion identification
         •        accurate self-perception
         •        strengths recognition
         •        self-confidence
         •        self-efficacy

​2. Self-Management - the ability to control your own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors - effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating yourself. The ability to set and work towards achieving goals (personal and academic)
         •        impulse control
         •        stress management
         •        self-discipline
         •        self-motivation
         •        goal-setting
         •        organizational skills
​3. Social awareness - the ability to empathize with others different from you. The ability to understand acceptable social and ethical behaviors.
         •        understanding different perspectives
         •        empathizing
         •        understanding and appreciating diversity
         •        respecting others
4. Relationship skills - the ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with different individuals and groups. Conversing, listening, cooperating, resisting peer pressure, negotiating conflict, asking for help.
         •        communicating
         •        engaging socially
         •        building relationships
         •        working in teams
5. Decision-making - the ability to make constructive choices about your own behavior. The ability to understand consequences of choices and understanding how our decisions affect others.
         •        identifying problems
         •        analyzing situations
         •        problem solving
         •        reflecting
         •        taking responsibility

​We Have A Cartoon For That!

There are 15 episodes of Rocketoons, each with a ONE PAGE curriculum guide - also called a Cartoonversation Card. Each of the fifteen episodes fit into one or more of these categories, helping educators and counselors introduce SEL topics and initiate conversations, discussions, or interviews on these topics. Let’s take a look at the 15 episodes and how they fit into the categories.
1. Self-Awareness
E1 Too Many Activities
E2 Moving to a New School
E3 Bullying
E5 Last One Picked
E6 Think Tank - Cyberbullying
E8 Resilience
E10 Build-A-Bear - Assertiveness
E12 It’s Written in the Stars - Dealing with the Death of a Loved One
E13 Divorce
E14 On the Fly - Mindfulness
2. Self- Management
E1 Too Many Activities
E2 Moving to a New School
E3 Bullying
E4 Snail’s Pace - Inappropriate Use of Social Media
E5 Last One Picked
E6 Think Tank - Cyberbullying
E7 Hop, Skip, and a Jump - Truancy
E8 Resilience
E10 Build-A-Bear - Assertiveness
E11 Riding the Pine - Spending too much time on personal devices
E14 On the Fly - Mindfulness
E15 Garbage In, Garbage Out - Managing what we eat, watch, and think
Picture
3. Social Awareness
E2 Moving to a New School
E3 Bullying
E4 Snail’s Pace - Inappropriate Use of Social Media
E5 Last One Picked
E6 Think Tank - Cyberbullying
E10 Build-A-Bear - Assertiveness
E12 It’s Written in the Stars - Dealing with the Death of a Loved One
E13 Divorce
E14 On the Fly - Mindfulness
4. Relationship skills
E2 Moving to a New School
E3 Bullying
E5 Last One Picked
E6 Think Tank - Cyberbullying
E7 Hop, Skip, and a Jump - Truancy
E8 Resilience
E10 Build-A-Bear - Assertiveness
E11 Riding the Pine - Spending too much time on personal devices
E13 Divorce
5. Decision-making
E1 Too Many Activities
E2 Moving to a New School
E4 Snail’s Pace - Inappropriate Use of Social Media
E6 Think Tank - Cyberbullying
E7 Hop, Skip, and a Jump - Truancy
E8 Resilience
E10 Build-A-Bear - Assertiveness
E14 On the Fly - Mindfulness
E15 Garbage In, Garbage Out - Managing what we eat, watch, and think
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of using Rocketoons in your school or classroom is their simplicity. There is no in-service training required. There is no four-inch binder of curriculum administration. There is no rigid guideline for administering the cartoon. The simple one-page Cartoonversation Card sets the scene for the cartoon, provides background information about the characters, and provides five conversation starter questions, five facts about the topic, and five additional online resources. Rocketoons will supplement your SEL curriculum or you can build an entire SEL curriculum around Rocketoons. ​
Remember, Rocketoons are FREE for everyone (teachers, counselor, parents, kids, clowns, and superheroes) in North America. Our generous sponsors make it possible for us to create and maintain this program.
Watch Rocketoons Now
Related Articles
Getting Started with Rocketoons
Rescuing Childhood and Making Sure Every Child Is Safe, Secure, and Silly
Why Kids Need to Talk About Their Stress

Categories

All Assertiveness Bullying Childhood Classroom Management Confidence Cyberbullying Discipline Grieving Happy Healthy Kids How To Use Rocketoons Mindfulness Moving To A New School Parents Rocketoons School Social Emotional Learning Social Media Stress Too Many Activities Truancy

1 Comment

5/17/2019 0 Comments

Rocketoons Change Classroom Atmosphere

Picture
​We know that the great teachers are the ones who connect with their students.

Many teachers are using Rocketoons to make those connections and to improve the learning atmosphere in their classrooms. Rocketoons start conversations that help:
  • Teachers connect with students
  • Students connect with each other
  • Teachers identify and deal with issues that could be causing disruptions to learning

We hear from teachers every week who love how Rocketoons have helped them connect with their students. One teacher recognized one of her fourth grade students as a potential problem. A loud and aggressive child, he alienated many of his classmates. She used Episode 3: Bullyvision, to start a Cartoonversation on bullying.

Read More
0 Comments

5/9/2019 0 Comments

Rocketoons as a Detention Tool

As common as detention is, we know very little about its effectiveness to change behaviors.

Opinions are mixed on the best way to utilize detention time, or to practice the use of detention at all.  A study done by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Education points out that very little research has been done on the effectiveness of using detention to correct student behavior. This study also found that despite the lack of evidence “detentions are one of the most common disciplinary actions utilized by schools with varying ages of students.” 

​What little research there is about after school detentions reveals that detention alone is ineffective with repeat offenders. Kids who frequently find themselves in after school detention quickly perceive it as a part of their normal school routine. Think Judd Nelson’s character John Bender from Breakfast Club. 
However, detention can be an effective form of discipline to those students that rarely misbehave or cause trouble. “[Because] these students are not used to being disciplined by staying after hours, [it has] more of an effect on these students instead of the students who grow accustomed.” https://blogs.edweek.org/topschooljobs/careers/2017/07/classroom_management_and_disci.html
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

5/3/2019 0 Comments

Episode 3: Bullyvision Addresses Mean-Spirited Behavior at Recess

(The names in this article have been changed for the sake of the students’ privacy.)
When fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Watkins became aware of a potential bully situation on the playground, she enlisted the help of Rocketoons.

Dealing with mean-spirited behaviors before they become full on bullying situations, saves kids the pain and stress associated with being bullied and also being a bully. Mean-spirited behavior includes when a student aggressively harasses another student. It is possible for mean-spirited behaviors to escalate into full-blown bullying when the behaviors aren’t addressed and appropriately handled. 

​In this case, Mrs. Watkins became aware that one little girl in her class was teasing another girl in a mean-spirited way. The behavior had not been chronic nor was it directed at any other students. She knew a gentle intervention could diffuse a potentially hurtful situation.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

5/1/2019 1 Comment

Sometimes what students need is not on the lesson plan.

Stressed Out Students Are The Ones Who Act Out

How are you supposed to slow down, stay calm, and be empathetic when kidsare acting out? Because, you know, the kids who are acting out are the ones in need. They’re the ones who: 
  • realize it’s Wednesday. “The day I switch from mom’s house to dad’s house. But dad won’t answer the phone when mom calls to remind him, so sometimes he forgets me at school. I’m worried I’ll be forgotten again.”
  • just saw Suzy’s post on Instagram. “She took a picture when I fell down at lunch, and everyone is commenting LOL. The whole school is laughing at me!”
  • are worn out and exhausted. “I didn’t get to bed until 10 last night because I had soccer, a band concert, my violin lesson, and a boy scout meeting. I’m so tired.”
  • are lost in class and in the lessons. “I miss a lot of school. It’s only third grade. What’s so important in third grade that I have to go to school every day?”
  • who are afraid to speak up. “I’m too nervous to ask for help. What if no one will help me, or I get in trouble for asking?”
Picture

Read More
1 Comment

4/21/2019 0 Comments

When Your Mobile Devices Are Putting You on the Sidelines

Rocketoons Episode 11: Riding the Pine - Avoiding the Social Media Crab Pot is a look at what happens when our mobile devices absorb all of our attention. Too much social media and screen time can bring us down or keep us from participating in the things we really love to do. And we may not even realize it!

This engaging cartoon is designed to encourage thinking and discussions about what happens when you spend too much time on social media and cell phone apps.  This episode helps lead discussions about the difference between participating in life and posting on social media. Watch the trailer below and for full episodes visit Rocketoons.com - Rocketoons are always FREE for everyone. No memberships or subscriptions are required.
Have you ever tried something new? Of course you have! Everything you have ever done was brand new to you at some time, right? Maybe it went well, maybe it didn’t, but getting up off the bench and giving it a try is a great first step to take.

What about trying social media? Well, it can be a great way to connect with new friends and old friends, but it shouldn’t replace playing and learning. These are the things that Coach Hampton and her team are about to find out – and they would like you to join them!
Visit Rocketoons.com
Getting Started With Rocketoons
0 Comments

4/19/2019 0 Comments

Helping Kids Learn How to Build Themselves Up

Build-A-Bear is the clever title to the Rocketoons episode on assertiveness. For some kids, assertiveness comes naturally; for others, it’s a real challenge. It’s important for kids to understand that the courage to be assertive is something they can develop.

​Assertiveness takes confidence and confidence comes with practice. This inspiring and engaging cartoon is designed to encourage thinking and discussions about what it takes to speak out, be assertive, and stand up for yourself.  Parents, teachers, and caregivers can use Episode 10 to guide a conversation (Cartoonversation) on how to overcome the difficulties of being assertive.
Everything takes practice! And that includes learning how to be assertive – how to speak up. It may come easier for some than it does for others, but it’s an essential life skill that we can all develop. Episode 10 will help to show you how.
Visit Rocketoons.com
Getting Started With Rocketoons Guide
0 Comments

4/15/2019 1 Comment

Listening to Kids on Mindfulness, Resilience, and Gratitude

Rocketoons encourage kids to think and talk about essential life skills and social-emotional learning topics. Episode 8 - Resilience uses tardigrades - the world's most resilient creatures - to help kids understand the importance of a growth mindset.   

This engaging and inspiring cartoon is designed to encourage thinking and discussions about what to do when things don't go our way. Mindfulness, gratitude, and asking for help are just a few of the ideas brought up in this animated video to help kids learn how to navigate through adversity.  Watch Rocketoons Episode 8: Making the Grade - Resilience and use the Rocketoons Cartoonversation™ Card to help your kids discover the many ways they can build resilience and succeed.
Resilience. When something doesn't go well, we need to be able to bounce back - to get back on track. That isn't always easy. In fact, sometimes it feels impossible. We all need to work on being more resilient, and we all need to know that it's okay to ask for help. Join our tardigrades, nature's most resilient creature, to learn a few secrets about how to get back on our feet when things don't go our way.

​
Visit Rocketoons.com
Getting Started With Rocketoons Guide
Rocketoons are FREE and available for everyone. There is no subscription, password, or membership required. We don't take any personal information!
1 Comment

4/13/2019 1 Comment

Helping Kids Discover the Consequences of Skipping School

It might sound like great fun to skip school, until you realize the damaging consequences. Truancy, which is any unexcused absence from school, causes kids to fall behind in school, and falling behind can lead to low self-esteem and depression. Kids who skip school regularly are more likely to experiment with drugs, drop out and not graduate, and get in other kinds of trouble.       

Episode 7: Hop, Skip, and a Jump - Truancy is an award-winning and fact-packed animated cartoon designed to encourage thinking and discussions about the troubles caused by skipping school.  Watch the cartoon and use the Rocketoons Cartoonversation™ Card to help your kids talk about how skipping school puts them on a dangerous and challenging path. For help getting started refer to our step-by-step guide "Getting Started With Rocketoons." Rocketoons are free - there are no passwords, memberships, or subscriptions!
Let's all play Hop, Skip, and a Jump, the game show that proves truancy is never a good idea. Join our contestants as they match wits (or try to) with show host Flynn Valentine. All of our contestants are skippers, one way or another, and it shows when they try to keep up with the questions. From low self-esteem to losing your driver's license, skipping school never leads to anything good - and it certainly can lead to something bad. 

Have some fun with our contestants, but pay careful attention to the facts and figures. You will hear everything you need to know about staying in school and avoiding the pitfalls of truancy.
Visit Rocketoons.com
Getting Started With Rocketoons Guide


Episode Awards

Picture
1 Comment

4/12/2019 0 Comments

The Different Faces of Cyber-Bullying

It feels terrible to be cyberbullied, but have you ever considered what cyberbullying does to the cyberbully? There are many victims in the cyberbullying cycle, and when kids understand the many different and harmful sides to this form of bullying, they can help stop it.

​This award-winning and inspiring cartoon is designed to encourage thinking and discussions about the ways that cyberbullying hurts and how cyber bullies get hurt, too.  Watch Rocketoons Episode 6: Think Tank - Cyber Bullying to help kids students talk about the different ways cyber bullying is hurtful and how we all need to work to stop cyberbullying. Rocketoons are free for everyone to use.  Refer to our "Getting Started With Rocketoons" guide for help getting started.
Have you ever been cyber bullied? Do you know what can happen to a cyber bully? This growing problem needs your help, and everyone at the Think Tank is counting on you to put an end to cyber bullying. Join Archie and the rest of the undercover (and sometimes underwater) agents to learn about cyber bullying and how it can harm so many people - including the cyber bully!
Visit Rocketoons.com
Getting Started With Rocketoons Guide


​Episode Awards

Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Wheeler Creative Studios

    Archives

    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019

    Categories

    All Assertiveness Bullying Childhood Classroom Management Confidence Cyberbullying Discipline Grieving Happy Healthy Kids How To Use Rocketoons Mindfulness Moving To A New School Parents Rocketoons School Social Emotional Learning Social Media Stress Too Many Activities Truancy

    RSS Feed

Work with us.

Call us to start the conversation 231. 750. 9676

Contact Us:  231 . 750 . 9676