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Title
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Building Bonds: A Relationship-Centered Toolkit for Promoting Engagement and SEL in the Elementary Classroom
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Creator
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Laney O'Neil
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Degree Name
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Master of Science in Education: Early Childhood Education
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Project Type
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action_research_project
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Date
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4/1/2026
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Abstract
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This professional project presents the development of the Building Bonds Toolkit, a relationship-centered resource designed to support student engagement in upper elementary classrooms. Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework, the project emphasizes the role of relationships, social-emotional learning, and collaborative practices in promoting academic engagement.
Using a design-based, action research–informed approach, the toolkit was created to translate research into practical, accessible strategies for educators. The resource includes structured activities and tools across four domains: relationship-building practices, peer collaboration, social-emotional supports, and teacher reflection. Each component is designed to be adaptable across diverse classroom contexts, including technology-supported and culturally responsive learning environments.
The project prioritizes usability by providing ready-to-implement routines and templates that align with the realities of classroom teaching. Rather than adding additional demands, the toolkit integrates relational practices into existing instructional structures. The Building Bonds Toolkit offers educators a cohesive framework for fostering connection, belonging, and engagement as foundational elements of student learning.
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Keywords
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Student Engagement
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Social-Emotional Learning
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Teacher-Student Relationships
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Committee Member
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Cindy Ryan
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Marie LeJeune
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Gregory Zobel
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 07/27/2026, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.
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https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
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Language
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eng
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Type
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text
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Image;StillImage
