What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the ability to learn how to manage emotions, recognize one's emotions and values as well as one's strengths and limitations, make ethical and constructive choices about personal and social behaviour, form positive relationships and deal constructively with conflict, and show understanding and empathy for others. Social and emotional skills need to be taught and learned and they are critical for being a successful student, citizen and worker.
The Five Competencies of SEL:
1. Self-Awareness
2. Self-Management
3. Social Awareness
4. Relationship Skills
5. Responsible Decision Making Skills
Information from: www.casel.org
Other links about SEL:
http://drdansiegel.com/
http://thehawnfoundation.org/
http://educ.ubc.ca/research/ksr/
The Five Competencies of SEL:
1. Self-Awareness
2. Self-Management
3. Social Awareness
4. Relationship Skills
5. Responsible Decision Making Skills
Information from: www.casel.org
Other links about SEL:
http://drdansiegel.com/
http://thehawnfoundation.org/
http://educ.ubc.ca/research/ksr/
Why is SEL so important?
SEL is something that I have always felt is at the heart of teaching and learning. However, recently there has been a development of research and scientific evidence showing that SEL in fact improves students' academic achievment, attitudes about self, others and schools, school and classroom behaviour and social and emotional skills. There is also evidence to show that SEL decreases school drop outs, decreases conduct problems at school, decreases student stress levels and anxiety. Another really exciting part of the research shows that the human brain can change. Neural connections can change in a positive way.
The Mind Up Program: Brain-Focused Strategies for Learning and Living
The MindUp program was developed by the Hawn Foundation. It is a comprehensive, classroom-tested, evidence based curriculum that fosters social and emotional awareness, enhances psychological well-being and promotes academic success. This program teaches students about the brain and how it functions and in the process students gain insight into their own minds and behaviours as well as those of the people around them. MindUp helps to teach children about mindfulness so they can improve self-control, and self-regulation skills, bolster enthusiasm for learning, increase academic success, reduce peer-to-peer conflict, develop positive social skills and it can create a classroom infused with joy and optimism.
I am excited to be implementing this program this year and excited about the possibilities it has for improved learning.
I am excited to be implementing this program this year and excited about the possibilities it has for improved learning.
Other Information
Mindfulness: a state of being aware of your own mind, at any given moment. it means to pay attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and without judgement.
- Jon Kabat-Zin
Mindfulness Websites:
http://www.mindfulteachers.org
https://themindfulclassroom.wordpress.com
http://www.mindful.org/
- Jon Kabat-Zin
Mindfulness Websites:
http://www.mindfulteachers.org
https://themindfulclassroom.wordpress.com
http://www.mindful.org/
Books I have Used (continually under construction!)
Children's Books:
My Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak and Sarah Ackerley
A Walk in the Rain With A Brain by Edward Hallowell and Bill Mayer
Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean
Peaceful Piggy Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer
What Does it Mean to be Present? by Rana DiOrio
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A guide to daily happines for kids by Carol McCloud
Bucket Filling from A-Z: The Key to Being Happy by Carol McCloud
Will You Fill My Bucket? Daily acts of love around the world by Carol McCoud
How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Do unto Otters: A book about manners by Laurie Keller
Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
No Ordinary Apple by Sara Marlowe and Phil Pascuzzo
Each Breathe a Smile based on teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh
What Does it Mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio
What Does it Mean to be Present? by Rana DiOrio
All books by Julia Cook
Resource Books:
The Zones of Regulation - Summer reading 2015!!
Mindset - by Carol Dweck
MindUp by the Hawn Foundation
Sitting Still Like a Frog: Simple mindfulness practices to help your child deal with anxiety, improve concentration and handle difficult emotions by Eline Snel
10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn
Mindful Movements by Thich Nhat Hanh
My Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak and Sarah Ackerley
A Walk in the Rain With A Brain by Edward Hallowell and Bill Mayer
Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean
Peaceful Piggy Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer
What Does it Mean to be Present? by Rana DiOrio
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A guide to daily happines for kids by Carol McCloud
Bucket Filling from A-Z: The Key to Being Happy by Carol McCloud
Will You Fill My Bucket? Daily acts of love around the world by Carol McCoud
How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Do unto Otters: A book about manners by Laurie Keller
Visiting Feelings by Lauren Rubenstein
No Ordinary Apple by Sara Marlowe and Phil Pascuzzo
Each Breathe a Smile based on teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh
What Does it Mean to be Kind? by Rana DiOrio
What Does it Mean to be Present? by Rana DiOrio
All books by Julia Cook
Resource Books:
The Zones of Regulation - Summer reading 2015!!
Mindset - by Carol Dweck
MindUp by the Hawn Foundation
Sitting Still Like a Frog: Simple mindfulness practices to help your child deal with anxiety, improve concentration and handle difficult emotions by Eline Snel
10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn
Mindful Movements by Thich Nhat Hanh