The Impact of Social Wellness Integration on Fifth Grade Students’ Positive Social Behaviors

Harrison, Kathryn (2018) The Impact of Social Wellness Integration on Fifth Grade Students’ Positive Social Behaviors. Undergraduate thesis, under the direction of Alicia Stapp from Elementary Education, The University of Mississippi.

Preview

Text Katie Harrison Thesis.pdf Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

In recent years, schools across the United States have encountered increased pressure to focus solely on academic performance (Dillow & Snyder, 2007). Therefore, time allotted to developing fundamental social skills needed to improve the well-being of children in elementary school has decreased. However, social skills are essential to educating the overall well-being of children (Clinton, West, and Wilson, 2017). Benefits associated with social wellness education include relationship skills, responsible decision making skills, and consideration of well-being of self and others. These are all important to lifelong success (Burrow, Patrick, Kyzer, & Mckelvey 2016). To address these concerns, this study examined the impact of social wellness integration strategies into an academic unit on fifth grade students’ positive social behaviors. All participants were in the same fifth grade classroom at an elementary school in Northwest Mississippi. Twelve observations were completed from October 20, 2017- November 29, 2017 from 1:10 p.m.- 2:40 p.m.. The first six observational periods examined the students positive and negative social behaviors when academic lessons included social wellness integration, and the last six observational periods examined the students positive and negative social behaviors when academic units did not include social wellness integration. Participants positive and negative social behaviors were documented in 10-minute intervals throughout each 90-minute observational period. Results indicated that integrating social wellness standards and strategies into a fifth grade academic unit increased positive social behaviors in the classroom.

Actions (login required)

View Item