This year, learning is happening in new and varied settings as schools adopt a mix of in-person, virtual, and hybrid models.
Because of this, students are getting the chance to learn, practice, and apply social-emotional competencies in a host of new ways: working through big emotions when they can’t get their laptops to turn on, practicing empathy when wearing masks, and self-reflecting about their goals for when the pandemic finally becomes a thing of the past. No matter how different learning looks this year, SEL is just as important as ever before.
Our new tools, the SEL Integration Approach Companion Guides, help educators to prioritize and integrate SEL into all aspects of the school day. Designed to accompany the Quick Reference Guide, the Companion Guides go into more detail on each of the five components of SEL Integration to support educators in answering the question, “Now and in future years, how can we take an intentional approach, aligned with best practices in pedagogy, to helping students develop their social-emotional skills and mindsets?”
Each two-page (plus references) Companion Guide focuses on one component of SEL Integration. Here’s a sneak peek of what each Companion Guide includes:
The Companion Guides released today are part of a bundle of resources that will be released throughout the Fall. These accompanying tools and resources include a teacher reflection tool, a leader reflection tool, and a case study compilation.
We look forward to hearing the ways in which you are using the Companion Guides to deepen your understanding and practice of SEL Integration! When sharing these new resources with your friends and colleagues, don’t forget to tag us on social media and use the hashtag #SELIntegrationApproach.
Dive into our next mini module, which focuses on and breaks down the material within the Examine Identity section of our SEL for Educators Toolkit.
WHERE TO FIND US
Recently, Transforming Education’s work has been featured in publications around the world.
Mini Vogue UK’s a
rticle, Eliminate Back-To-School Stress With This Psychologist’s Encouraging Advice, highlights our 2019 Mindfulness Report, which was created in collaboration with Harvard’s Center for Education Policy Research.
Additionally, TIME for Kids is working with us to highlight strategies from our SEL for Educators Toolkit each week of this school year for teachers across all grade-levels.
Informational Resources on Improving Social and Emotional Learning and Outcomes
(McColskey, W., Comprehensive Center Network, September 2020)
This resource document was developed because the area of improving students’ social and emotional outcomes is of such interest to so many (and the reports/publications/online resources are so numerous). This document attempts to organize the information into nine categories for more streamlined sense-making. The nine categories are listed under two broad headings: 1. What is SEL? 2. How is SEL being implemented?
Supporting School Community Wellness with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) During and After a Pandemic
(Cipriano, C., Rappolt-Schlichtmann, G., Brackett, M., Penn State University, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, August 2020)
The latest issue brief shows school district leaders and administrators, teachers, parents, and communities how to use social and emotional learning (SEL) to promote wellness during the compounding traumas of a pandemic.
Facilitating Dialogue About the Coronavirus Among Students
(Fullmer, L., SEL4US, 5/13/20)
This blog post, from earlier in the year, showcases a teacher’s experience navigating conversations about coronavirus with students. By implementing strategies from the social action pedagogy known as Students Taking Action Together (STAT), students respectfully expressed and listened to the perspectives of others.
About the Author: Transforming Education
