Building Lifelong Learners: Fostering Literacy and Self-Regulation

At Semá:th Elementary, we encourage all our students to become lifelong learners and take responsibility for their learning. A big part of what we do here is build strong literacy skills through engaging and interactive activities. We also focus a lot on self-regulation, teaching kids how to understand and manage their feelings and actions. In our classrooms, we use group discussions, teamwork, and personalized feedback to help students see what they’re good at and celebrate their achievements.

We have been fortunate to have received the support of Samaritan’s Purse after the flood in our self-regulation and literacy goals. Recently, with their support, we had the pleasure of hosting Angela Murphy, an author who shared her 6-book series on self-regulation with our students over six sessions and provided parent support over two evening sessions. The books feature characters inspired by her two dogs, Zane and Draper, who accompanied her during the visits. Students had the chance to interact with the dogs at the end of each session. Angela’s books provide practical tips and strategies to help kids manage their emotions and make positive choices. Each visit included a fun, interactive activity that the students enjoyed. Students and staff alike enjoyed her visits, and after she completed reading her book series, every student was given a copy of their favourite book to take home. This way, they can use the tools she teaches at school and home.

The lessons from Murphy’s books have become a regular part of our curriculum, with teachers using them in discussions and activities that help students better understand self-regulation and how to practice it in their daily lives.

CHELSEA ELLIOTT, PRINCIPAL
Semá:th Elementary