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Schools across the country are adopting social-emotional learning (SEL) standards as an approach to creating school communities that are safe and positive climates for learning, as well as a foundation to set students up for success in school and in life. In theory, this is a step in the right direction - we want schooling spaces where students, families, educators, school staff, and all those who come into contact with the school building feel safe, affirmed, and supported. We want schools that foster emotional support between students, staff, and communities, where there's a trust-building approach rather than school hardening, and we want restorative justice, rather than the policing, punishment, and criminalization of Black and Brown students.

However, these SEL conversations, practices, and curricula are too often based on white, cisgender, patriarchal norms and values which further enact emotional and psychological violence onto Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ youth of color, in particular. The current narrative around SEL is that students must manage and regulate themselves and their emotions, conform and constrict their identities, and not express their fullest, most authentic selves. As school districts begin to devise plans for back-to-school, we must re-examine how we talk about and teach SEL.

While visiting classrooms in a middle school this year, I perused how every classroom had the same print-out displayed on the wall. The poster detailed the five core competencies of SEL, as defined by CASEL - self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. As an example of social awareness, the signs read, "Keep your hands to yourself and don't take other people's property." While social awareness should be about unpacking bias, having critical dialogue about social issues, and collectively crafting justice-oriented solutions, this white-washed version, as Dr. Dena Simmons reminds us, made me wonder: whose social norms are we abiding by and adhering to?

In Dr. Monique Morris's newest book, Sing a Rhythm, Dance A Blues: Education for the Liberation of Black and Brown Girls, Morris tells the story of Esperanza, who as part of the EMERGE program in Oakland, California, was scheduled to speak at a national conference on Chicana/Latina girls in the...

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When SEL is Used as Another Form of Policing

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Schools across the country are adopting social-emotional learning (SEL) standards as an approach to creating school communities that are safe and positive climates for learning, as well as a...

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MindsetWorks | Growth Mindset | Growth Mindset Programs

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Brainology is an online interactive program in which middle school students learn about how the brain works, how to strengthen their own brains, and how to better approach their own learning. In the process they develop a growth mindset whereby they think of their intelligence as something they can develop through study and learning rather than as something fixed, as explained by our co-founder Dr. Carol Dweck.

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The Mindset Kit is a free set of online lessons and practices designed to help you teach and foster adaptive beliefs about learning.

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Mindset Kit - Resources for growth and learning mindsets

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A free resource for educators and parents who want to foster learning mindsets such as growth mindset. Follow lessons and practices from experts and members of our community.

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May 14th, 2020

Right now we are all doing our part to flatten the curve by following social distancing requirements. And since you've been home for quite some time now, you might be getting a little stir crazy! Fortunately, there are several simple, no-cost activities that you can do to boost your mood and help you feel less isolated. We've created a list of six happiness-inducing activities below. Plus these ideas are just plain fun!

Six Mood Boosters

1. Hold a Video Call with Your Best Friend. Text messages and phone calls can help you feel less alone, but there is something more comforting about seeing a loved one's smiling face. Ten-times the fun of your video call by turning your one-on-one conversation into a virtual happy hour with your whole crew. Tools like Skype help groups of friends video chat together.

2. Laugh Out Loud with TikTok. TikTok is a social media platform for the sharing of short-form mobile videos. Its mission is "to capture and present the world's creativity, knowledge, and precious life moments." It is filled with creative videos that will make you laugh-out-loud for hours, including many from your favorite celebrities. It may just inspire you to start creating and sharing new hilarious content.

3. Take a Virtual Yoga Class. To help ensure we are all relieving stress and still being active, many yoga studios, gyms, and personal fitness instructors are offering classes online through video streaming tools like Facebook Live, YouTube, or Instagram. Stretch out and relax with a virtual course of like-minded new friends. Namaste.

4. De-Clutter Your Living Space. Use this time to clean up and clean out your house or apartment. Living in a clean, uncluttered space will help reduce anxiety, and donating clothes or furniture to a worthy cause will give you the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something good for others. Donate books you've already read to your local Little Free Library. While you're at it, donate excess canned goods to your local Little Free Pantry.

5. Go for a Walk. Not only will time in the fresh air and sunshine revive your spirit, but a little exercise will boost your feel-good endorphins. For extra feel-good vibes, smile at everyone you pass-even though you're six feet apart.

6. Throw a Dance Party for One. Turn on your favorite music and dance in your living room. With no one watching, you can be as wild, free, or uncoordinated as you'd like. Sing out loud too and fully let loose.

Know someone who could use a pick me up?

Please feel free to share this post with your fellow teachers, students, and parents.

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Six Instant Mood Boosters During School Closures and Social Distancing

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May 14th, 2020 Right now we are all doing our part to flatten the curve by following social distancing requirements. And since you've been home for quite some time now, you might be getting a little stir crazy! Fortunately, there are several simple, no-cost activities that you can do to boost your mood and help you feel less isolated.

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Helping Friends who Have Mental Health Challenges

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Helping Friends who Have Mental Health Challenges

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SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING LESSON: HOW TO HELP A FRIEND WHO IS MIGHT HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION

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Social Emotional Learning Video Lessons - Self-Management Week 3

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This is my place: middle schoolers on social and emotional learning