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Literacy 7-12 > Strategies > Rich Library: SEL Topics

Rich Library: SEL Topics

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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' advanced Vocabulary and ability to express their own emotions and feelings in a more nuanced way.

Use It in the Classroom

Starting at 3:42, watch how these high school students read and discuss complex SEL topics through the lens of the characters. By having access to and reading relevant books that tackle SEL, they can make authentic connections to their readings and build positive relationships with each other.

  • By incorporating books with SEL themes, teachers can stimulate thought-provoking discussions on complex topics through the lens of different characters, allowing students a safe space to reflect and learn. Having access to these books and conversations can also convey the power of books to transport, connect, and challenge students with different experiences, further developing students' Background Knowledge.

    • 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 Character Playbook course teaches students essential SEL skills using stories and characters. Students navigate the scenarios and practice SEL skills to respond effectively, while also developing their Vocabulary, Reading Fluency and Inferencing skills.

  • Digital libraries can include a section of books dedicated to SEL topics. This allows teachers and students to easily search and find titles that are relevant to them and/or focused on specific SEL skills.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
    Examples

    How my School Library Embraces SEL

    Article about how SEL books are included in this school library

    Examples

    SEL in English Language Arts

    CASEL examples for including SEL in ELA

    Examples

    SEL through YA Literature

    Classroom strategies for using literature to help students with daily struggles

    Examples

    Use Literary Characters to Teach Emotional Intelligence

    Lesson plans for teaching SEL with stories

    Research

    Academic Emotions

    Subtopic that includes research on students' emotions related to learning on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Research

    Emotion & Cognition

    Subtopic that includes information about how the brain recognizes, processes, and regulates emotions on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Research

    Identity, Behavior, and Relationships

    Topic that includes research on the development of social and emotional skills on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Research

    Reading & Cognition

    Subtopic that explores cognitive models of reading on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Literacy
    Background Knowledge
    Inferencing
    Reading Fluency
    Syntax
    Vocabulary
    Cognition
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Self-regulation
    Social Awareness & Relationship Skills
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Literacy Environment
    Primary Language
    Safety
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Physical Space Strategies

    Dim or Natural Lighting

    Exposure to natural light is beneficial to the students' health and can increase their alertness and Attention.

    Individual Spaces

    Having private or semi-private spaces where students can go to support Self-regulation and individual deliberate practice.

    Mobility & Flexibility

    Creating student-driven, flexible learning spaces involves setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes for each activity.

    Multiple Display Boards/Screens

    Multiple display spaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.

    Multiple Writing Surfaces

    Multiple writing surfaces promote collaboration by allowing groups to share information easily as they work.

    Quiet Environment/Pockets of Quiet

    Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.

    Rich Library: Audio & Braille

    Providing texts in braille, large font, and with text-to-speech allows learners with visual needs to access content.

    Rich Library: Complexity

    Reading materials of varying complexity and levels are necessary for all students to experience success.

    Rich Library: Diversity

    Having culturally relevant reading materials, including multicultural and diverse texts, are critical for supporting all students.

    Rich Library: Multimodal

    Providing access to a variety of multimodal texts that align with the interests of learners allows them to practice digital, information, and Critical Literacy.

    Rich Library: Poetry

    With figurative language and creative sentence structure, poetry supports the development of a deeper understanding of the different ways language makes meaning.

    Sound Level

    Providing ways for students to adjust sound level supports individual auditory needs.

    Temperature

    Providing ways for students to meet their individual temperature needs supports Attention and Self-regulation.

    Uncluttered Environment

    Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.

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