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Reading PK-3 > Strategies > Rich Library: SEL Topics

Rich Library: SEL Topics

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Overview

Books with SEL topics, such as developing friendships and identifying emotions, help teach these skills. A classroom library can provide a wealth of stories for modeling and reflecting on SEL skills and behaviors.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch this teacher incorporate SEL in her read-aloud. Using emotion posters as a tool, this teacher asks her students to infer the character's emotions through language and pictures.

  • By incorporating books with SEL lessons, teachers can stimulate discussion on complex topics, such as Emotion and Social Awareness and Relationship Skills, through the lens of a character, allowing students a safe space to reflect and learn. This 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

  • Digital libraries can include a section of books dedicated to SEL topics, as Booksource has done. 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

    50 SEL Picture Books

    Curated list of picture books to teach SEL

    Examples

    Children's Book List

    CASEL's book list arranged by SEL focus area

    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

    Language and Literacy
    Alphabet Knowledge
    Background Knowledge
    Decoding
    Narrative Skills
    Print Awareness
    Sight Recognition
    Syntax
    Verbal Reasoning
    Vocabulary
    Cognition
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Self-Regulation
    Social Awareness & Relationship Skills
    Student Background
    Adverse Experiences
    Home Literacy Environment
    Primary Language
    Safety
    Socioeconomic Status

    More Physical Space Strategies

    Dim or Natural Lighting

    Dim or natural lighting provides a calming environment.

    Individual Spaces

    Having space where students can go supports Self-regulation and individual deliberate practice.

    Mobility & Flexibility

    Multiple tables and chairs on wheels allow for setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes of each classroom 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 Classroom/Pockets of Quiet

    Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.

    Rich Library: Audio & Braille

    Books for vision differences support reading development for learners with visual needs.

    Rich Library: Complexity

    Books of varying complexity and reading levels are necessary for all students to experience reading success.

    Rich Library: Diversity

    Multicultural and diverse books are critical for supporting all students.

    Rich Library: Poetry

    With rhyming and creative word use, poetry is a genre that supports the development of early literacy skills in particular.

    Rich Library: Primary Language

    Students who have had little exposure to the school's language can benefit from having books in their Primary Language in their classroom.

    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 focus and Self-Regulation.

    Uncluttered Environment

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

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