Outside of the Health Education classroom, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has been relegated to the realm of “extras” – a separate curriculum, a few isolated lessons squeezed into an already packed schedule. This perception is not only inaccurate but actively hinders its transformative potential. I’m here to say what many fellow health educators might be thinking: SEL isn’t a box to be checked; it’s a fundamental shift in our daily teaching routines and practices.
Think about it. Can academic learning truly thrive in an environment devoid of empathy, self-awareness, or effective communication? Can students reach their full potential when struggling with unmanaged emotions or navigating challenging relationships without support? The answer is a resounding no. SEL provides the bedrock upon which relationships, academic success, positive school climate, and lifelong well-being are built.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) offers a powerful but simple framework to integrate SEL seamlessly. Their Three Signature Strategies Playbook offers a plethora of easy instructional shifts to support social emotional AND academic learning at the same time. This isn’t about adding more to our plates; it’s about enhancing what we already do. How do these strategies support our classrooms, meetings, and professional development sessions? I thought you’d never ask!
1. Welcoming Routines: These are more than just attendance checks. They are intentional activities designed to foster a sense of belonging, build positive relationships, and set a positive tone for learning. Imagine starting each day with a quick “check-in” where students share a feeling or a goal for the day. In meetings, a brief icebreaker that encourages connection before diving into the agenda can foster a more collaborative atmosphere. For professional development, starting with an activity that allows educators to share their experiences and build rapport can create a more supportive learning environment. If you haven’t heard of First Five by Edtomorrow, check it out and sign up for the newsletter. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
2. Engaging Practices: These strategies focus on embedding SEL skills directly into academic content and instructional methods. Engaging strategies, as highlighted by CASEL, focus on actively involving participants in the learning process to deepen their understanding and connection to the material. These strategies aim to balance interaction and reflection, catering to diverse learning needs. This even includes brief transitions and brain boosts (breaks). The following examples could be used in the classroom, faculty or professional development setting. Think-Pair-Share: a strategy that encourages individual reflection, partner discussion, and group sharing to explore a topic collaboratively. Clock Partners: a strategy where pre-arranged partners allow for quick pairing for reflection and discussion, enhancing engagement and interaction. Corners: participants choose a corner of the room based on their response to a prompt and discuss their reasoning with others, fostering perspective-taking and empathy. By being mindful in implementing engaging strategies into our instruction we equip individuals with more than just content knowledge.
3. Optimistic Closures: Just as important as how we begin is how we end. Optimistic closures provide opportunities for reflection, consolidation of learning (both academic and social-emotional), and a sense of closure. In the classroom, this could involve students sharing what they learned and how they might apply it, or reflecting on a positive interaction they had during the day. Meetings can conclude with a brief “takeaway” sharing or a moment to acknowledge accomplishments. Professional development sessions can end with participants identifying an action step they will take based on what they learned and sharing it with a partner. These intentional endings reinforce learning and leave individuals feeling positive and motivated.
Integrating SEL isn’t a quick fix, but a continuous journey of intentional practice. By embracing CASEL’s Three Signature Strategies and utilizing available resources, we can shift our daily routines and strategies to cultivate supportive, engaging, and effective learning environments where everyone can thrive – academically, socially, and emotionally. SEL isn’t extra; it’s the essential foundation for a more effective, equitable, and human-centered learning experience for all.
This microblog post was a featured post in #slowchathealth’s #microblogmonth event. You can search for all of the featured posts here. Please do follow each of the outstanding contributors on social media (including, Anna Marriott the author of this post) and consider writing a microblog post of your own to be shared with the global audience of slowchathealth.com
Pair this blog post with the following:
A Case for Brain Boosts in the Classroom by Anna Marriott
Aligning to a Social Emotional Lens in Physical Education by Jordan Manley
Humanizing the Classroom by Kristin Stuart Valdes
The Power of Meaningful and Joyful Experiences by Leticia honey
Have you read the latest Book of the Month recommendation?
