I know how I feel about SEL, but I wanted to ask some of my colleagues to share their thoughts about SEL in the classroom, and find out their perspectives.
The general consensus was that without SEL, learning cannot take place effectively; teachers understand how important SEL is. SEL encompasses many learned skills- self-regulation, management of emotions, social thinking skills, problem-solving, empathy, friendship, using "I" statements, the list goes on. Without teaching to and addressing the many aspects of SEL, academic learning becomes increasingly difficult. This not only effects the child who is struggling, but the entire class, as it alters the classroom dynamics, and negatively effects the learning environment. Teachers end up having to spend more time on classroom management, which takes away from the learning experience. This is not what teachers want, and this is not best for students. Teachers know that teaching to and addressing SEL in the classroom has a positive effect on the classroom culture and on learning.
It was also clear that many teachers believe that SEL is important for all children- even those that don't seem to "need it" as much. The truth is though, SEL is beneficial for all children- some are just in a greater immediate need of it than others. For those who have already learned many of these skills, they have the opportunity to develop and grow them; they also have the opportunity to develop their empathy and understanding towards others, and learn how to support peers who are struggling.
Teachers shared that having the support of parents, colleagues, and administrators is very important when it comes to teaching SEL. Children need to have the opportunity to build and develop their skills over time, not just learn and practice them here and there, or for one year and not again for another two years. There needs to be consistency.
From my perspective, SEL should be a school-wide (district-wide) initiative. We have reading, writing, and numeracy initiatives, but what good are these in isolation of SEL? Research tells us that academic learning improves when SEL skills improve- so why not have a SEL initiative? Our children need this.
What Do You Think? Is this Useful?
Are you a teacher? What do you think about SEL? Have you used SEL? What have you tried? Do you think this site is/will be useful for teachers? Please share your feedback here, and if you would like to contribute to the site, go to the "Your Ideas & Stories" page!
The general consensus was that without SEL, learning cannot take place effectively; teachers understand how important SEL is. SEL encompasses many learned skills- self-regulation, management of emotions, social thinking skills, problem-solving, empathy, friendship, using "I" statements, the list goes on. Without teaching to and addressing the many aspects of SEL, academic learning becomes increasingly difficult. This not only effects the child who is struggling, but the entire class, as it alters the classroom dynamics, and negatively effects the learning environment. Teachers end up having to spend more time on classroom management, which takes away from the learning experience. This is not what teachers want, and this is not best for students. Teachers know that teaching to and addressing SEL in the classroom has a positive effect on the classroom culture and on learning.
It was also clear that many teachers believe that SEL is important for all children- even those that don't seem to "need it" as much. The truth is though, SEL is beneficial for all children- some are just in a greater immediate need of it than others. For those who have already learned many of these skills, they have the opportunity to develop and grow them; they also have the opportunity to develop their empathy and understanding towards others, and learn how to support peers who are struggling.
Teachers shared that having the support of parents, colleagues, and administrators is very important when it comes to teaching SEL. Children need to have the opportunity to build and develop their skills over time, not just learn and practice them here and there, or for one year and not again for another two years. There needs to be consistency.
From my perspective, SEL should be a school-wide (district-wide) initiative. We have reading, writing, and numeracy initiatives, but what good are these in isolation of SEL? Research tells us that academic learning improves when SEL skills improve- so why not have a SEL initiative? Our children need this.
What Do You Think? Is this Useful?
Are you a teacher? What do you think about SEL? Have you used SEL? What have you tried? Do you think this site is/will be useful for teachers? Please share your feedback here, and if you would like to contribute to the site, go to the "Your Ideas & Stories" page!