The Social Emotional Classroom

Anna-Lisa Mackey is the CEO of PATHS Program LLC, a publisher and distributor of award-winning social emotional learning programs for students and teachers. She is an SEL expert with more than 20 years of experience in SEL training, professional development, and student behavior. In addition, she is an international speaker presenting on numerous SEL topics and the host of the Social Emotional Us podcast. Melissa Ragan is a former educator. Her professional focus is on the development of new social and emotional learning programs for K-12 students. She is a sought-after speaker at national conferences on English learners, parent engagement, and special education.

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