Social-emotional learning(SEL) is a crucial part ofa student’sdevelopment. It provides a framework for helpingyoungpeople learn how to manage their emotions, set and achieve goals, show empathy for others, maintain their relationships, make responsible decisions, and develop healthy self-identities.
SEL should be an integral part of any school’s master schedule. However, that’s often easier said than done. With other educational prioritieslike standardized testing and state-mandated curriculaat the forefront of administrators’ minds,finding the time to integrate SEL into the school day can be a nearly impossible task.But it’s not one without solutions.In fact, there are a variety of ways to naturally and easily implement SEL time into your school’s master schedule.
Direct SEL Instruction
The most common way to integrate SEL instruction is to set aside a specific time block each week devoted to SEL. Forexample:
- Elementary schools– Schools will utilize the homeroom period once a week for SEL instruction.
- Middle schools – Schools will replace one advisory period each week for SEL instruction.
- High schools – Schools will either set aside time during one period (for example, the first 15 minutes of second period every Tuesday) or replace onephysical educationor health period with SEL instruction.
This is considered “direct SEL instruction,” and it requires the cooperation of administrators, educatorsand superintendents alike to develop school schedules that accommodate SEL curriculum.
To properly implement direct SEL instruction, educators will have a set of curriculato follow each weekthat helpsstudents acquire the skills and knowledge integral to social-emotional learning.While educators can develop their own curriculum, a better option isto usea self-guided programthat has allthe lessons and resources at their fingertips.
Ƶ Social-Emotional Learning provides a comprehensive library of lessons specific to age and the challenges students are facing,with immersive content scaffolded bygrade.TheCASEL-aligned lessonsincludetopics such aseffective communication, bullying prevention, mental health,digital civility, alcohol and drug use,college prep, social awareness, academic successand much more.
WithƵ Social-Emotional Learning, educators can easily weave SEL lessonsinto their busyschool day, reinforcing the usefulness of SEL as a toolinstead of a requirement.They can use predetermined time each dayto teach the SEL lessonsto the class,or studentscan complete the lessonson their ownusing a digital device.In doing so, students canengage with the material in front of them and have more ownership in the practice of learning and acquiring SEL skills.ƵSEL solutions also featureteachercompanionguides that accompany each lesson to help teachers take the content students learn online and apply it in the real world.
Other Ways to Prioritize SEL
Of course, not all school districts have the resources and time to provide direct SEL instruction.Setting aside a specific time block each week isn’t the only way toimplementSEL. Here are some other practical tipsschool staffcan usetoprioritize SEL:
EmbedSEL InstructionintoAcademic Learning
This method involves administrators deciding which SEL skills students should master based on their grade levelandeducatorsembeddingshortmini lessonsinto regular classroom learning.
For example, if a middle school teacher wants to help his students learn how to set appropriate goals, he may introduce this concept when discussing a class project. The students will be encouraged tosettheir own personal goals to complete the project, and the teacher can assess how wellstudents have mastered the concept ofgoal-settingbased on the types of goals they set and whetherthe goals are accomplished.
Examples of SEL in the classroom:
- Use storytelling and community circles to build relationships
- Create “cozy” or “calm down” corners in each classroom
- Hold a dedicated check-in and reflect circle time
- Conduct weekly mindfulness lessons
- Use a mood meter to help kids identify feelings
- Conduct regular mental health check-ins
- Add a box with fidget toys to keep the students’ bodiesactive and mindsopen to communication and comprehension
- Schedule movement breaks for students throughout the day
- Use instructive feedback and error correction as appropriate to teach and reinforce appropriate social-emotional skills
For more tips on incorporating SEL into the school master schedule,see our ideas and best practices from a recent webinar.
Create an SEL Advisory Period
Anoptional studentadvisory periodcan happen at the beginning or end of the dayand include a small group of students and a teacher.During each advisory period, the teacher will provide an SEL minilesson and lead a discussion with the students to help them understand the concept and how to apply it in a real-world setting.
Utilize School Counselors to Provide SEL Lessons
Schoolcounselors can be a tremendous resource when it comes toSEL. They can rotate through classrooms and homerooms to deliver short SEL lessons to students and be available as a sounding board tothosewho may want to discussSEL conceptsin greater detail.
MakeSEL a Part of Every Faculty Meeting
It’s important to note that educators, administratorsand other school staff should be practicing social-emotional learning, too. After all,prioritizing SEL doesn’t begin and end in the classroom—it’s something that should bediscussed, trainedonandpracticed byeducators,administratorsand other school staff.Duringevery faculty meeting,devotetime to discussing SEL topics like burnout,compassion fatigue,empathy, mental healthand mindfulness.
Ƶ Social-Emotional Learning for Your School District
TolearnhowƵ Social-Emotional Learningcan help yourschooldistrictprioritize andintegrateSELinto themaster schedule,contact ustoday.
