The Social Emotional Classroom

Learn to implement powerful new learning techniques in your classroom experience In The Social Emotional Classroom, celebrated educators and authors Anna-Lisa Mackey and Melissa Ragan deliver an insightful, rigorous, and accessible treatment of social emotional learning in education. Using research from the Theory of Constructed Emotion, the authors highlight the relationship between the new view of neurobiology and Social Emotional Learning. The book connects five key competencies, including self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills, to this new understanding of the brain. You'll also learn from: Teacher stories included in each chapter The inclusion of over two decades worth of experience and research in the field of social and emotional learning Instructions and guides for educators to embed social and emotional learning into their everyday practices Perfect for K-12 educators, principals, superintendents, and other education leaders, The Social Emotional Classroom will also earn a place in the libraries of parents and caregivers who are responsible for young people's day-to-day learning.

Dedication vii About the Authors xv Acknowledgments xvii Introduction xix 1 Social Emotional Learning 1 What Is Social Emotional Learning? (And Why Is It Important?) 1 Why Is SEL Important? 2 SEL Programs 3 Understand the Research 4 Keeping the "Social" in SEL 4 Get into a Routine 5 Be Clear and Aim High 5 Prioritize 6 Encourage Connectedness 6 Stay in Touch 6 The Importance of Professional Development 7 2 Self-Awareness 9 What Is Self-Awareness? 9 What Does Current Research Say About Self-Awareness? 11 Self-Awareness in Action 16 In the Classroom 16 Calm Classroom 16 Diaphragmatic Breathing 17 Yoga 17 For Teachers 17 Self-Awareness Resources: Thermometer Check-ins 18 Improve Your Practice 19 Reflect on Self-Awareness 22 3 Self-Management 25 What Is Self-Management? 25 What Does Current Research Say? 26 Sleep 27 Nutrition 28 Exercise 31 Working with Your Concepts 32 Deconstruction 32 Recategorization 32 Emotional Granularity 33 Gratitude 34 Social Reality 34 Self-Management in Action 34 In the Classroom 35 For Teachers 36 Improve Your Practice 41 Keep Track of Your Body Budget Account 42 Reflect on Self-Management 45 4 Social Awareness 47 What Is Social Awareness? 47 What Does Current Research Say? 48 Reading Between the Laugh Lines 48 Who Doesn’t Love a Surprise Party? 49 How Our Relationships Impact Body Budget 50 Think Before You Speak/Words Matter 51 Social Awareness in Action: A Case Study on the Power of High Expectations 52 In the Classroom 54 For Teachers 54 Resources 55 Understanding Perspective 55 Improve Your Practice 55 Keep a Gratitude Journal 55 Research Community Supports 58 Complete Community Service Projects 58 Reflect on Social Awareness 62 5 Relationship Skills 63 What Are Relationship Skills? 63 What Does Current Research Say? 64 Relationship Skills in Action 66 In the Classroom 67 Elementary School 67 Middle and High School 67 Improve Your Practice 68 Reflect on Relationship Skills 70 6 Responsible Decision Making 73 What Is Responsible Decision Making? 73 What Does Current Research Say? 74 The Theory of Social Construction 76 Developing Problem-Solving Concepts 77 Decision Making in Action: Integrating Ethics into SEL 77 Improve Your Classroom Practice 83 Giving Appropriate Choices 87 Consequences that Matter 87 Reflect on Decision Making 89 7 SEL for All Students 91 Students with Autism 91 English Language Learners 94 Extra Enrichment 94 8 SEL in Every Content Area 101 Self-Awareness 101 Self-Management 103 Social Awareness 103 Relationship Skills 105 Responsible Decision Making 106 9 SEL Lesson Plans and Novel Study Ideas 111 Self-Awareness Sample Lesson 112 Character Strengths 112 Character Strengths Graphic Organizer 114 Self-Management Sample Lesson 115 SMART Goals 115 SMART Goal Setting 118 Social Awareness Sample Lesson 1 119 Engineering Design Challenge 119 Engineering Design Challenge Graphic Organizer 122 Social Awareness Sample Lesson 2 123 Community Stories 123 Community Stories Graphic Organizer 126 Decision Making Sample Lesson 127 Video Game Creator Challenge 127 Video Game Creator Challenge Graphic Organizer 130 Relationship Skills Sample Lesson 131 Sharks & Minnows 131 Novel Studies 132 Discussion Questions 133 10 Implementing SEL 135 Part I: Implementation 135 Step 1: Build Foundational Support and Create a Plan 135 Step 2: Strengthen Adult SEL 136 Step 3: Promote SEL for Students 137 Step 4: Practice Continuous Improvement 137 SEL Observation Model 140 Building a School-Wide SEL Culture 140 Safe 140 Valued 141 Authentic 141 Positive 141 A Note About Trust and Confidentiality 141 11 Advanced SEL Classroom Skills 143 Foundational Mindsets 144 Relationship 144 Coaching Skills 145 Using Questions 146 Powerful Questions 147 Questions to Avoid 148 Advanced Coaching Strategies 149 Paraphrase 149 Metaphors 149 Celebrate 150 Brainstorm 150 Aspirations 150 Silence 151 Visioning 151 Accountability 151 Coaching Notes 154 References 155 Resources 163 SEL Indicators per Grade Range 164 SCOPE 169 Student Goal Tracker 171 SEL Learning Model 173 PLC Study Guide 175 Feelings Journal 181 Epilogue 189 Index 191