Soaring Higher in Literacy and SEL at McKinney

At McKinney, our eagles are committed to growing strong wings in both literacy and social-emotional learning (SEL). This year, we are focusing on two interconnected goals:

Strengthening inferencing skills in reading
Building empathy, responsibility, and self-awareness through SEL

Why Inferencing Matters

Following our Fall Reading Assessment (RFRA), data highlighted that inferencing—the ability to read between the lines and interpret clues—is an area for growth across Grades 1–7. To address this, we are aligning instruction with the BC Language Arts Curriculum and the First Peoples Principle of Learning:

Learning involves recognizing the consequences of one’s actions.

Curriculum Connections:

Big Idea: Language and story help us understand ourselves and others.
Competencies:
- Comprehend and Connect: Make inferences using textual evidence.
- Create and Communicate: Share interpretations respectfully.

Connecting Literacy and SEL

Inferencing isn’t just about reading—it’s about understanding people and situations. When students interpret clues, predict outcomes, and connect actions to emotions, they practice empathy and responsibility. These skills align perfectly with our SEL focus on Care for Self and Others, where we encourage students to:

Explore emotions and feelings
Think before they act
Recognize the impact of their choices

What This Looks Like in Action

Classroom Activities: Students engage in stories and texts that require them to infer characters’ feelings and motivations, then discuss respectful responses. This is also being done in buddy activities with 2 classes learning together.
Eagle Feathers of Care: Acts of empathy and responsibility are celebrated on our school-wide bulletin board, reinforcing that every feather strengthens our eagle community.
Assemblies & Discussions: We connect reading strategies to real-life scenarios, helping students soar as thoughtful readers and caring classmates.

At McKinney, literacy and SEL go hand in hand—because when our eagles learn to read deeply and care deeply, they truly soar.

Check out the attached images to see how each grade did on the inferencing section of the RFRA.