Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is an oft-mentioned topic these days. It’s clear that helping students learn to cope with emotions, make decisions and maintain positive relationships is a worthy endeavor, but establishing what that should look like in a classroom setting isn’t as easily discernible.

In an effort to better understand how educators are thinking about SEL, we held a Twitter chat in August and asked SEL-based questions. What followed was a pertinent and rewarding discussion!

Here are some of the biggest takeaways.

1. SEL as a teaching technique has yet to acquire a definitive characterization.

While SEL has been in practice for decades, it’s only recently become more of a buzzword. This may be due to a growing number of kids affected by anxiety, depression and the pressure to adapt in a society governed by likes and digital clout. This sudden need, in turn, results in numerous questions about the best way to incorporate such abstract concepts into a structured school day.

Teachers are left with questions: Is there such thing as an SEL lesson or unit? Or is this something I have to consider incorporating into every lesson I’m already developing? Do I now need to be a counselor, too? As Molly Castner, an 8th grade ELA teacher, points out, “Something teachers worry about is what is appropriate developmentally at each age. We aren’t psychologists and require some guidance here.”

The good news is that we’re all talking about SEL, so we can be each other’s assets. Sharing experiences in forums like our #BooksourceChat can open up new perspectives.

Another great authority is CASEL or the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.

CASEL breaks SEL down into five core competencies that help proved framework for educators: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills and social awareness. We recommend reading more on their website, especially if you’re just starting out with SEL.

2. It’s common practice to incorporate SEL competencies through all content areas.

We were perhaps most curious to find out how teachers are structuring their SEL practices, wondering if there would even be a conclusive answer. As it turns out, most of those who joined us try to authentically weave SEL competencies throughout everything they do.

In a May installment of The EdSurge On Air Podcast, Christina Cipriano, the director of research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence said “[SEL] doesn’t mean that you’re providing a pull-in lesson every week on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. to teach them how to reappraise their emotions, but rather that you are modeling those skills in the way that you interact with that student and with that learner before, during and after the situation, so that they’re continuously seeing and learning.”

Regardless, teachers seem quick to incorporate mindfulness exercises as one way of dedicating time solely to SEL.

Allowing your students (and yourself) to check in with feelings and focus solely on emotional health for a moment is a valuable habit.

3. Books are an amazing way to open students up to exploring SEL-related topics.

It’s no secret we support using novels, chapter books, picture books and authentic literature in all classroom units, but we think they’re especially helpful for social emotional growth and #BooksourceChat participants agree!

Stories inspire self-realization and empathy. Lynn Hagen, a 10th grade ELA teacher, says “Books are wonderful for helping students explore issues in a safe way; [they] can discuss characters’ actions and choices instead of having to discuss real or personal topics.” Recognizing one’s own emotions becomes easier when viewed through the lens of a relatable, fictional person. Not to mention, students can gain insight into what others around them may be thinking and experiencing.

Of course, employing books as part of your SEL strategy means figuring out which books to use and how.

Never underestimate the power of a great picture book—even if you teach older grades. Castner says “I like to use picture books to introduce an idea or a theme that might be difficult because students are drawn in to [sic] the simplicity/engagement of the story. Everyone can participate in the discussion since the text is accessible.”

Putting in the work to find out what’s best for your particular students is what it’s all about. Which brings us to…

4. Personalizing SEL for your students is key.

Because social emotional development deals with emotions that are extremely personal to a given student’s situation, it’s necessary to take a look at your roster and assess. As Hagen asks, “Who are they? What do they need?” SEL topics aren’t restricted to universal reflections.

One way to do this is to ensure your classroom library is diverse and inclusive. Using resources like our Inclusive Classroom Library Checklist, you can determine any gaps that need to be filled, enabling students to then discover the perfect book at the perfect moment to unlock their growth.

The fact that constant analysis is needed reinforces that SEL is a comprehensive practice.

Educators should be considering social emotional learning in everything that they teach, and books are the optimal tool.

5. Involving the community can achieve great results when it comes to a student’s SEL development.

Children don’t learn from teachers alone. Parents, administrators and all who have an impact on a student’s daily life should be in tune to the activities that affect their emotional development.

Find ways to invite the community to see what children are reading whether it’s through a book club, a social media account or an event on school property. Everyone can get on the same page and you might be surprised by the things you learn from new perspectives. It’s also nice for parents to see you so engaged in SEL because if it seems important to you, it’s more likely to become important in a student’s home life.

When it comes to social emotional learning, it’s truly all hands on deck. We hope our #BooksourceChat helped demonstrate the power of educators coming together to find the brightest solutions and methods out there.

Recommendations and Resources

Ready to start using books to develop SEL in your classroom? We have a whole list of titles that our Collection Development team has expertly curated for SEL.

You can also search the hashtag #BooksourceChat to find recommendations from Twitter chat participants:

To further your SEL journey, read our recent blog, Why Books Are a Natural Medium for Teaching Social Emotional Learning Skills.

If you have great resources and/or links of your own, put them in the comment section for others to find!