Rich Library: SEL Topics
Overview
Books on social and emotional learning (SEL) topics, such as developing empathy and productive persistence, help teach these skills. A classroom library can provide a wealth of stories for modeling and reflecting on SEL skills and behaviors, building students' Vocabulary and ability to express their own emotions and feelings.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Starting at 3:42, watch how high school students read and discuss complex SEL topics through the lens of the characters. Although this video features high schoolers, students in grades 4-6 can also read and participate in discussions on age-appropriate SEL skills.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Learn how the Middle School Confidential apps provide stories as comic books that tackle challenging preteen topics, like self-esteem and identity.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Physical Space Strategies
Dim or natural lighting provides a calming environment.
Having spaces where students can go supports self-regulation and individual deliberate practice.
Multiple tables and chairs on wheels allow for setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes of each classroom activity.
Multiple display spaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.
Multiple writing surfaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.
Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.
Books for vision differences support reading development for learners with visual needs.
Reading materials of varying complexity and levels are necessary for all students to experience success.
Providing varied types of resources that align with interests of individual students supports overall literacy development.
With figurative language and creative sentence structure, poetry supports the development of a deeper understanding of the different ways language makes meaning.
Providing ways for students to adjust sound level supports individual auditory needs.
Providing ways for students to meet their individual temperature needs supports Attention and Inhibition & Self-Regulation.
Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.
