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Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

People with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially. From effective problem-solving to self-discipline, from impulse control to emotion management and more, SEL provides a foundation for positive, long-term effects on kids, adults, and communities.

Children thrive. Schools win. Workplaces benefit. Society strengthens. All due to social-emotional learning.

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Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

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Why Social Emotional Learning is Essential for Students

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Why Social Emotional Learning is Essential for Students

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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Distance Social Emotional Learning Tools 

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Distance Social Emotional Learning Tools 

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Distance Learning Social Emotional Learning Google Slides in 2020 | Social emotional learning, Social emotional learning lessons, Social emotional

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Sep 7, 2020 - Please use this FREE resource however you need it during the Coronavirus / Covid-19 school closures. You can share the link with families to provide students with 2 weeks of social emotional learning lessons at home. Each day includes:YouTube video (embedded in the Google Slides)Questions/prompts fo...

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Important Messages about Social Emotional Learning 

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Important Messages about Social Emotional Learning 

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Important Message about Social Emotional Learning
5 Ways to Incorporate SEL in High School Editor's Note: This is an article by Jill Fletcher, a poet, AVID college readiness teacher, and writer for Edutopia (where this piece originally appeared). "Social and emotional learning is more than a side curriculum - it should be woven into everyday activities throughout the school day."
Paper tweets: I used a paper and pencil version of Twitter in class, an exercise in which learners would initially connect with a friend, an acquaintance, and a classmate with whom they rarely spoke. Sometimes, I used this for formative assessment, but it also worked as an SEL break - learners wrote and discussed anything they wanted with their peers. I didn't read or assess this writing - it was solely for learners.

Check in before you check out exit passes. Last year, I starting using exit tickets daily to ask learners questions like: How are you feeling? What's new with you? What do you want to share with me? I was surprised by how many learners wrote that they were sad, bored, or upset when they seemed engaged and outwardly happy, but at least asking these questions allowed me to address their emotional needs more quickly and more often.

Group one-pagers: In groups of four to six, learners would create a sheet called a one-pager with their team name, group favorites, such as food and movies (or any other favorites you'd like to ask them about), and a symbol to represent each member of the group. They also listed their favorite meme.

R elationship-building one-pagers: Learners also created one-pagers about one of their peers or an adult on campus. On a piece of white printer paper, they would draw an image of the person and write their name, and then ask three peers for positive quotes about that person. Next, they would draw three funny or meaningful images, and share two inside jokes or memories of the person. Then they would write a thoughtful, made-up definition of the person's name. Finally, they created a border in writing around the page with three or four adjectives to describe the person.

Learner-led end-of-quarter celebrations: I gave learners the freedom to create class-bonding celebrations. They selected themes, created potluck sign-ups, made invitations, and set up activities like a cupcake-decorating challenge or group craft projects. Some of the most memorable activities were a karaoke party with a strobe light, a fashion runway walk-off using materials like garbage bags and paper bags, a school-wide scavenger hunt, an escape room challenge, and a blindfolded makeup challenge.

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Important Message about Social Emotional Learning

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5 Ways to Incorporate SEL in High School Editor's Note: This is an article by Jill Fletcher, a poet, AVID college readiness teacher, and writer for Edutopia (where this piece originally appeared). "Social and emotional learning is more than a side curriculum - it should be woven into everyday activities throughout the school day."

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Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a top implementation priority for districts, ed-tech companies and education researchers, and for good reason: Kids need it.

With the rise in youth suicide rates, increased numbers of violent incidents in schools and the growing rate of American youth diagnosed with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, the social emotional instability of America's youth has, according to some experts, become a national crisis. Many are turning to SEL as a means to address this growing concern and spark conversation around sensitive or vulnerable topics.

Today, all 50 states have free-standing standards for SEL, according to a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures. (However, only 8 states currently have standards that address PreK through grade 12.) Many districts and schools throughout the nation have begun to adopt and implement well-researched curricular programs such as Second Step in order to begin to address SEL topics with their students.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures

But what if you work in a district or school that has yet to place SEL on the priority list? Perhaps you are thinking, "I know SEL is important, but I don't have time to teach another subject on top of what I already do." Implementing SEL in your own classroom does not need to feel so daunting. There's things you can start doing right now.

According to The National Commission on Social, Emotional and Academic Development's January 2019 report, "A Nation at Hope," educators should "explicitly teach social, emotional and cognitive skills" and "intentionally teach specific skills and competencies and infuse them in academic content."

Here are four easy steps to begin the process of addressing SEL within your own teaching practice. In fact, implementing these steps now can be extremely helpful as you near the end of the school year and set learning priorities for your next class of students.

Review the CASEL Framework

Taking time to familiarize yourself with state SEL standards is necessary, but time consuming. Instead, use the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)'s framework for SEL as a starting point.

CASEL is the leading organization in the development and support of social emotional learning research, practices, and policies. The SEL framework includes five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. While reviewing the framework, you may wish to reflect on questions such as:

What are my own strengths and areas for growth?

How might I model this competency to my students? or

How might a student demonstrate this SEL skill?

Becoming familiar with these core competencies will provide you with a frame of reference as you begin to reflect on strengths and opportunities for growth for both you and your students.

Source: CASEL

Take an Inventory

After reviewing CASEL's framework, take time to reflect on your own interactions and those of your students. Self reflection is just as important as observing your students. Take notice and observe how you interact with your students during all parts of your school day. Where do these interactions fit within the five CASEL competencies? Are there moments within your current lessons that allow students to practice certain SEL skills? What student behaviors (both positive and developing) do you observe?

Thinking about all of the competencies at once will be too overwhelming. Instead, select one area to focus on. Then spend a few days (or even a school week) honing the applicable behaviors and interactions that you observe. Documenting your reflections and observations will allow you to identify patterns and gaps in student learning and in your own practice.

Start Conversations

Take your work a step further by explicitly identifying these interactions in a meaningful way. For example, create a visual space where examples of behaviors can be briefly written down. The visual can then be used to start conversations about real interactions. These observable moments may occur outside your formal classroom. Playgrounds, hallways, cafeterias and other social hotspots are great places to observe behaviors in real-time. Starting these conversations will depend on the age of your students and the type of behaviors observed.

Regardless of the means by which you explicitly identify these interactions, the discussions that follow-based on authentic interactions-will allow SEL behaviors to become observable and real to your students.

Broaden the Scope

Conversations about authentic experiences will likely cause a shift in both your thinking and that of your students. However, social emotional learning extends well beyond your classroom. A supportive and engaged school culture and climate are key components in creating environments conducive to social emotional growth. Expand these conversations to include all stakeholders. Classroom teachers, specialists, coaches, administrators and parents should be encouraged to participate in the conversation.

For example, reflecting on authentic data points with other teachers can help inform teaching for your peers. Discussing these findings with parents may help you understand students in a more meaningful way. And sharing this information with administrators can help to recognize patterns of behavior (of both teachers and students) at a school and district level. These conversations can be extremely helpful in making informed decisions when adopting SEL programming on a larger scale.

Like any worthwhile education initiative, implementing social emotional learning into your classroom, school and district takes time, effort and commitment. However, social emotional learning is different; when implemented in a thoughtful and meaningful way, SEL can play a vital role in moving our nation's youth towards a more healthy, stable emotional path. The steps above can assist you in beginning this vital work.

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Not Enough Time to Teach Social-Emotional Learning? Try These 4 Easy Steps. - EdSurge News

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Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become a top implementation priority for districts, ed-tech companies and education researchers, and for good reason: Kids need it. With the rise in youth suicide rates, increased numbers of violent incidents in schools and the growing rate of American youth diagnosed with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, the social emotional instability of America's youth has, according to some experts, become a national crisis.

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Speaking the Language of Social Emotional Learning 

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Speaking the Language of Social Emotional Learning 

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5 Strategies for Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

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5 Strategies for Incorporating Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

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contributed by Meg Price, the ei experience

Social emotional learning (SEL) by definition is a process for learning life skills, including how to deal with oneself, others and relationships, and work in an effective manner. Although there are many great SEL programs, SEL can also be incorporated into each lesson as a way of teaching for students to really understand how to action the skills in a variety of situations and form positive habits.

All students start school with some level of social and emotional skills and all will develop their social and emotional skills at a different rate. Parents and teachers are both responsible for teaching students life skills and certainly much of what they learn will be by watching our actions.

The 5 strategies below are will not only benefit students SEL but will also be beneficial to teacher's well-being.
5 Strategies For Incorporating Social Emotional Learning Into Your Classroom 1. Mindfulness
Mindfulness is: paying attention, in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, non- judgmentally.

We are hearing more and more about the benefits of mindfulness for children. Increased attention leads to better performance academically and increased emotional and social intelligence. Children are better able to learn, to nurture themselves, and to be aware of their emotional needs.

Mindfulness practices helps students pay attention to their breath, body, thoughts, feelings and the world around them. When they can observe their thoughts and feelings they have the freedom to choose how they will speak and act. And this can lead to a happier, more harmonious classroom.

There are many mindfulness activities on the Internet or via apps today. Why not start each lesson with a different mindfulness activity.
2. Clarify that thoughts leads to feelings
Research shows that students who are more resilient are more academically successful. Resilient students bounce back quicker, they are mindful of their thinking, understand their beliefs and importantly are able to challenge their beliefs and thoughts to create more positive outcomes.

This is an important concept because we may not always be able to influence what happens to us but we do have a powerful influence in how we interpret what happens to us and how we deal with it. Many students are unaware that their thoughts play a large role in influencing how they feel. No matter what happens to you, nobody can take this away from you and it is an empowering lesson to teach when ever you hear a student express frustration, anger and other negative emotions. Listen for the emotion, catch the moment and help your student challenge their thinking.
3. Model persistence and determination
A really important aspect of wellbeing and SEL is the ability to accomplish things in life. Many students naturally strive to better themselves in some way, whether they are seeking to master a skill, achieve a valuable goal, or win in some competitive event.

Other students need some coaching in this area. Teaching students each and every lesson that to accomplish things takes effort, patience and perseverance is really important. Praise for effort is critical in this area of SEL. Each student will need to be encouraged to set stretch goals during lessons to feel a sense of accomplishment. By being mindful, and challenging negative thoughts students can be encouraged to dig deep to find the determination to succeed.
4. Listen with empathy
Put another way, listen to be surprised.

Part of SEL is an understanding of the importance of positive relationships. To have these relationships we need to have empathy. Teachers have a wonderful ability to model empathy. Encourage students to listen to others, ask them to listen to be surprised and try to understand how other students might be feeling. What opportunities do you have each class to find ways for students to help each other and learn something new about other people's ideas?

Use the opportunity in class to teach students to ask questions framed to encourage response not encourage defensiveness. For example when John says "Sam, why can't you just follow the instructions"- encourage John to re-frame his question for a better understanding of what Sam is seeking "Sam, can we work through these instruction together to ensure they make sense?
5. Emphasize gratitude
Once again research is showing us that a really important aspect of well-being is gratitude. This research indicates those who regularly express gratitude have more energy and enthusiasm, less stress and better physical wellbeing. There are some very simple ways to increase your experience and expression of gratitude; however, this may require that we train ourselves to think differently. For students this can be done by incorporating some simple exercises into each lesson.

At the end of each class ask students to reflect on the class using these three questions:

- What aspects of this class did you enjoy today?

- Who did you enjoy working with today?

- What areas of this topic would you like to learn more about?

Most importantly above all have fun each and every class; learning should be fun and play is a really important part of SEL!

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5 Strategies For Incorporating Social Emotional Learning Into Your Classroom

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contributed by Meg Price, the ei experience Social emotional learning (SEL) by definition is a process for learning life skills, including how to deal with oneself, others and relationships, and work in an effective manner.

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Self- Awareness in Social Emotional Learning

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Self- Awareness in Social Emotional Learning

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Posted by jglassman on

Research suggests that social-emotional attributes such as perseverance, grit, empathy, and mindfulness, contribute to students' success in school and beyond. In recognition of these findings, BrainPOP is excited to announce the launch of our Social-Emotional Learning collection and theme pages that support the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework.

BrainPOP's SEL topics, such as mindfulness, bullying, and ethics, are aligned to CASEL's five core competencies: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making.

BrainPOP's SEL-themed collections help you integrate SEL into your lessons by providing opportunities for your students to discover, play, and create with activities such as coding an anti-bullying campaign, producing a movie chronicling daily emotions, and making a self-image concept map.

BrainPOP is committed to continuing development of SEL topics and activities. To help us, please complete our survey. We'd love to hear what you think of our new initiative, how you use SEL content in your classroom, and more.

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Social-Emotional Learning on BrainPOP! | BrainPOP Educators

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Research suggests that social-emotional attributes such as perseverance, grit, empathy, and mindfulness, contribute to students' success in school and beyond. In recognition of these findings, BrainPOP is excited to announce the launch of our Social-Emotional Learning collection and theme pages that support the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework.

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The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

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The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

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Does your child have trouble listening and following directions? Does your child get upset when given challenging schoolwork? Does your child have trouble making friends? If so, your child may need help building social emotional skills.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is how children learn to understand and manage their emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. These skills are based on five strategies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Buffalo County Community Partners Behavioral Health Coordinator, Tana Miller, says, "Social emotional development is giving children the skills they need to learn how to listen, pay attention, manage their emotions, and get along with others. The skills we teach them today, will help children thrive in the future."

Research shows that SEL makes a difference in your child's success in school, work, and life. Children who have strong SEL competence are 50% more likely to graduate from high school and have a full-time job by the age of 25. They are also twice as likely to earn a college degree. Research also suggests that children with strong SEL skills have more friends, feel connected to school, and want to do well. Through participating in SEL, students learn the skills to succeed in every facet in school and the rest of their lives.

Within the school, occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are an important resource for school faculty and students. OT practitioners focus their treatment sessions on education, play, leisure, common activities done throughout the day such as eating, dressing, and toileting, and sleep. OT practitioners give teachers and staff the tools and knowledge that can help with reducing challenging behaviors and promote social emotional development within the classroom. They can also help your child develop the skills to:

Develop positive relationships

Resist inappropriate social pressure

Understand social expectations and manners during different situations

Participate in social groups

Maintain academic performance during frustrations

Self-regulation techniques to control emotions

Social and emotional learning are critical skills needed to help your child thrive in both the classroom and in life. Reach out to your school or an occupational therapy practitioner for more tips and ideas on how you can promote stronger social emotional learning skills in your child.
Written By: Maggie Lesiak, Behavioral Health Coordinator Assistant at Community Partners. Maggie is finishing up her degree at Central Community College to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She would like to practice occupational therapy in the pediatric or school setting so she can make an impact on the kids in her community by helping them live their life to their fullest potential.

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The Importance of Social Emotional Learning in Children

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Does your child have trouble listening and following directions? Does your child get upset when given challenging schoolwork? Does your child have trouble making friends? If so, your child may need help building social emotional skills. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is how children learn to understand and manage their emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.