Social Emotional Learning, Curriculum & Resources
What is Social Emotional Learning?
"Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions." (DPI)
SEL isn't just a curriculum to follow, it's creating the environment needed for students to apply and generalize these skills.
SEL isn't just a curriculum to follow, it's creating the environment needed for students to apply and generalize these skills.
DPI's Vision of SEL
"The ability of manage emotions, focus attention, respect self & others, make responsible choices, and engage with communities
prepares students for college, career and life success."
prepares students for college, career and life success."
SEL Simplified
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Implementation of SEL can appear HUGE-- in time, money, and human resources.
Don't be intimated by the overwhelming task. It's better to start and do something than nothing. You probably have some of these components in place, build from there. |
Implementation (what's your plan)
Build a plan with a team.
- Gather a team. SEL isn't just the school counselor, the goal is to embed SEL everywhere... in academics, RtI, PBIS, ACP.
- Plan should be intentional; document it. Share it with administration; time will be needed as well as financial resources.
- Prioritize the competencies for grade level bands by need & goals. There are 24 competencies for each band-- you can't do them all. Prioritize, pick three to start. List of 24 competencies in each grade band.
- Plan for ongoing team meetings, once a month to ensure sustainability.
Staff Support & SEL Knowledge Matters
- Staff that are mentally & emotionally supported are better able to support students. A welcoming environment for students, staff, and parents is an essential element of implementation.
- Adults cultivate social emotion knowledge by reflecting on their own competencies, then they can model SEL behaviors. (Watch for Mental Health Message on adult SEL)
- Collaboration time is needed to promote SEL practices and build a community within the staff.
- Build on adult knowledge and understanding of Trauma Sensitive Schools, ACEs, and mental health.
Promote SEL for Students
- For 4K-12, focus on competencies within the grade bands. Using programs and/or curriculum, implement a school wide, intentional plan. This is where you put in the curriculum piece.
- Goals for each grade band should be embedded everywhere... "so deep and often that you can't find it."
Where? In the discipline policy, in student-staff relationship building, in how welcoming is the physical layout of the day and the building. - Effective SEL instruction should empower students-- it's not be about behavior regulation or promoting compliance.
Review and continue...
- Here's where you collect data on student outcomes. Use and share the data to show the positive effects of focusing on SEL.
- Improve on the plan, incorporate more staff, train and support new staff.
- For sustainability, re-energize. Don't make your SEL school-wide plan so formatted it becomes stale. Fidelity is a good thing but know when to step away from it... like when the plan is no longer working.
Guide to Effective SEL Programs |
Free from Casel, information that helps you compare programs based on effectiveness in several areas.
Elementary Programs- Comparison Chart Elementary Programs- Description & Links to sites |
Click image for link to SEL tracker
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Free online survey tools based on the WI DPI SEL competencies. Tools are designed to help schools recognize how they can improve SEL, teaching, and professional development in their schools. The three surveys monitor students, teachers/staff, and classrooms in three SEL domains: Emotional Development, Self-Concept, and Social Competence. Surveys may be taken up to four times per school year to track progress trajectories.
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SEL Curriculum |
This list is NOT extensive and is based on information from conferences and provider websites.
Pros and cons list are based on my opinions and/or experience with the materials. |
CASEL
The big guys in social emotional learning. "District-wide, theory of action." Key elements of instruction, integrated into academics, focus on classroom climate. Systemic: youth voice, discipline that is restorative not punitive, adult support in managing their own stress, family & community engagement.
PROS- covers everything; DPI supported; name/program recognition in submitting a grant. A lot of SEL supportive information on their site.
CONS- Major expense in staff time, student time, and money. Full cost- $40,000 for district analysis; curriculum cost- ?? (They were vague about money after that... and I did ask.)
Used in Mequon-Thiensville School District
Website: https://casel.org/casel.org/
Positive Action
"a systematic educational program that promotes an intrinsic interest in learning and encourages cooperation among students."
PROS & CONS- 15 minute scripted lessons; builds on common language.
$400 per classroom; staff training required.
Used in Adams-Friendship School District (they added a Positive Action Coach & PA Assistant Coach)
Website: https://www.positiveaction.net/
MindUp Curriculum
"research-based curriculum features 15 lessons that use the latest information about the brain to dramatically improve behavior and learning for all students. Each lesson offers easy strategies for helping students focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mind-set in both school and life. The lessons fit easily into any schedule and require minimal preparation. Classroom management tips and content-area activities help you extend the benefits of MindUP throughout your day, week, and year."
PROS- $25 per manual; manual for 4K-2, 3-4, and 5-6 grade levels; published by Scholastic. Easy to use. Building-wide focus on common objectives.
CONS- not a comprehensive program.
Used by Winter School District, Nicole Crosby, School Counselor
Website: http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/mindup/
Too Good For Violence
"Character Education and Asset Development are at the core of Too Good for Violence Social Perspectives providing students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need for positive social development and supportive relationships."
PROS & CONS - research based; Scripted lessons: K-5 includes 7 weekly 30-60 minute lessons, 6-8 includes 9 weekly 45 minute lessons, high school- 14 weekly one hour lessons. Cost- $179 per grade level.
Website: https://toogoodprograms.org/collections/too-good-for-violence
Used by Bruce School District
Zones of Regulation
"a framework to foster self-regulation and emotional control." Developed in Minnesota (almost home), K-8, "cognitive behavioral approach used to teach self-regulation by categorizing all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete colored zones. "
PROS- uses a common language, variety of activities, inexpensive, 15 minute lessons during community circle or homeroom time.
CONS- not a comprehensive building wide approach; would need to supplement or extend; inexpensive, about $55 for manual.
Website: www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html
Cost listing: https://www.socialthinking.com/Search%20Results?utm_source=zonesofregulation.com&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=zones_search#q=zones
The big guys in social emotional learning. "District-wide, theory of action." Key elements of instruction, integrated into academics, focus on classroom climate. Systemic: youth voice, discipline that is restorative not punitive, adult support in managing their own stress, family & community engagement.
PROS- covers everything; DPI supported; name/program recognition in submitting a grant. A lot of SEL supportive information on their site.
CONS- Major expense in staff time, student time, and money. Full cost- $40,000 for district analysis; curriculum cost- ?? (They were vague about money after that... and I did ask.)
Used in Mequon-Thiensville School District
Website: https://casel.org/casel.org/
Positive Action
"a systematic educational program that promotes an intrinsic interest in learning and encourages cooperation among students."
PROS & CONS- 15 minute scripted lessons; builds on common language.
$400 per classroom; staff training required.
Used in Adams-Friendship School District (they added a Positive Action Coach & PA Assistant Coach)
Website: https://www.positiveaction.net/
MindUp Curriculum
"research-based curriculum features 15 lessons that use the latest information about the brain to dramatically improve behavior and learning for all students. Each lesson offers easy strategies for helping students focus their attention, improve their self-regulation skills, build resilience to stress, and develop a positive mind-set in both school and life. The lessons fit easily into any schedule and require minimal preparation. Classroom management tips and content-area activities help you extend the benefits of MindUP throughout your day, week, and year."
PROS- $25 per manual; manual for 4K-2, 3-4, and 5-6 grade levels; published by Scholastic. Easy to use. Building-wide focus on common objectives.
CONS- not a comprehensive program.
Used by Winter School District, Nicole Crosby, School Counselor
Website: http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/mindup/
Too Good For Violence
"Character Education and Asset Development are at the core of Too Good for Violence Social Perspectives providing students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need for positive social development and supportive relationships."
PROS & CONS - research based; Scripted lessons: K-5 includes 7 weekly 30-60 minute lessons, 6-8 includes 9 weekly 45 minute lessons, high school- 14 weekly one hour lessons. Cost- $179 per grade level.
Website: https://toogoodprograms.org/collections/too-good-for-violence
Used by Bruce School District
Zones of Regulation
"a framework to foster self-regulation and emotional control." Developed in Minnesota (almost home), K-8, "cognitive behavioral approach used to teach self-regulation by categorizing all the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete colored zones. "
PROS- uses a common language, variety of activities, inexpensive, 15 minute lessons during community circle or homeroom time.
CONS- not a comprehensive building wide approach; would need to supplement or extend; inexpensive, about $55 for manual.
Website: www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html
Cost listing: https://www.socialthinking.com/Search%20Results?utm_source=zonesofregulation.com&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=zones_search#q=zones
FREE SEL Curriculum |
No, it's not too good to be true... and sometime you get much more than you pay for!
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Overcoming Obstacles
"free life skills curriculum that provides educators with the tools to teach elementary, middle, and high school students the skills necessary for success. With hundreds of easy to teach activity-based lessons covering more than 30 critical life skills, students learn how to communicate effectively. They learn how to make informed decisions. They learn how to set and achieve goals, resolve conflicts, solve problems, respect one another, and more."
PROS- Free, easy to use lessons. Lessons are 30-45 minutes in length, engaging, by subject area and grade level.
CONS- Time may be a factor, not set up for daily lessons. Need for team to determine who and what lessons to deliver and by whom.
Website: https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/
"free life skills curriculum that provides educators with the tools to teach elementary, middle, and high school students the skills necessary for success. With hundreds of easy to teach activity-based lessons covering more than 30 critical life skills, students learn how to communicate effectively. They learn how to make informed decisions. They learn how to set and achieve goals, resolve conflicts, solve problems, respect one another, and more."
PROS- Free, easy to use lessons. Lessons are 30-45 minutes in length, engaging, by subject area and grade level.
CONS- Time may be a factor, not set up for daily lessons. Need for team to determine who and what lessons to deliver and by whom.
Website: https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/
Random Acts of Kindness
"FREE K-8 lesson plans; curriculum features developmentally appropriate, standards-aligned lessons that teach kids important Social Emotional (SEL) skills." A CASEL selected program (it has their blessing).
Create an account and download all materials, including posters.
PROS- Free. Lessons are practical and workable. Set up to focus on a shared objective (caring for others, feelings & behaviors, following rules, etc.) throughout the building. Could be used in group format for upper elementary.
CONS- Not a stand alone program but would be good starting point. Need for staff to be self-starters in providing lessons.
Website: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/for-educators
"FREE K-8 lesson plans; curriculum features developmentally appropriate, standards-aligned lessons that teach kids important Social Emotional (SEL) skills." A CASEL selected program (it has their blessing).
Create an account and download all materials, including posters.
PROS- Free. Lessons are practical and workable. Set up to focus on a shared objective (caring for others, feelings & behaviors, following rules, etc.) throughout the building. Could be used in group format for upper elementary.
CONS- Not a stand alone program but would be good starting point. Need for staff to be self-starters in providing lessons.
Website: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/for-educators
Raising Caring Kids (not a curriculum but good SEL lessons for grades 1-5)
Developed for parents, includes 16 short articles with 1-2 minute videos to teach different social and emotional learning skills. Can easily be adapted to the classroom.
PROS- Free. 15 minute lessons great for daily SEL time. Incorporates SEL competency with daily life through videos or senarios. Good for enhancing discussion.
CONS- Need to download pdf for each lesson separately; states grades 1-5 but may not work for all grade levels, especially lower; requires teacher to lead appropriate discussion.
Website: https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/raising-caring-kids/
Developed for parents, includes 16 short articles with 1-2 minute videos to teach different social and emotional learning skills. Can easily be adapted to the classroom.
PROS- Free. 15 minute lessons great for daily SEL time. Incorporates SEL competency with daily life through videos or senarios. Good for enhancing discussion.
CONS- Need to download pdf for each lesson separately; states grades 1-5 but may not work for all grade levels, especially lower; requires teacher to lead appropriate discussion.
Website: https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/raising-caring-kids/
Medal of Honor Character Development
"Medal of Honor CDP is a resource designed by teachers to provide students with opportunities to explore the important concepts of courage, commitment, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity and citizenship and how these values can be exemplified in daily life."
K-6: courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism into language and behavior
MS/HS- Courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism; non-fiction accounts of Medal of Honor Recipients' and citizen heroes' actions. Assignments for individual and group work, assessment suggestions, and extended activities, educator guide.
PROS- Free. Lessons hold interest of students; teachers appreciate complete lessons. (We used the HS curriculum for an elective Citizenship course.)
CONS- The heavy military theme may be a little strong for some. Also, not a stand alone, but part of infusing SEL skills into culture.
Website: https://themedalofhonor.com/character-development
"Medal of Honor CDP is a resource designed by teachers to provide students with opportunities to explore the important concepts of courage, commitment, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity and citizenship and how these values can be exemplified in daily life."
K-6: courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism into language and behavior
MS/HS- Courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism; non-fiction accounts of Medal of Honor Recipients' and citizen heroes' actions. Assignments for individual and group work, assessment suggestions, and extended activities, educator guide.
PROS- Free. Lessons hold interest of students; teachers appreciate complete lessons. (We used the HS curriculum for an elective Citizenship course.)
CONS- The heavy military theme may be a little strong for some. Also, not a stand alone, but part of infusing SEL skills into culture.
Website: https://themedalofhonor.com/character-development
Resources |
Links to sites and information that are helpful. |
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DPI- Social Emotional Learning Competencies
Full Booklet- information about SEL, competencies, plus resource listing. Wisconsin DPI Webpage
Resources to build your expertise in SEL Link: https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/social-emotional-learning/build-your-sel-expertise Main page for Social Emotional Learning Link: https://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/mental-health/social-emotional-learning Technology Enhanced Social-Emotional Activities
Activities for every grade level Link: http://seltechnology.weebly.com/ |
Parent Resources
Raising Caring Kids "Raising Caring Kids is a free resource for schools to deliver to parents and caregivers of 1st-5th graders that offers ways to build children’s social and emotional learning." UW Madison Extension Sign up for 18 weeks of emails to share with families, or go to the website and use lessons in the classroom. A lot here! Also five short videos to share on school Facebook page. Website: https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/raising-caring-kids/ Robert Wood Johnson- Social Emotional Learning
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