Can SEL in ELA unlock student potential?
Let’s talk about social emotional learning (SEL) in ELA. I’m all about bringing those SEL skills into different subjects instead of treating them like they’re compartmentalized. Why? Because these skills aren’t just about feeling good – they’re tools that can help in school and life.
Not convinced yet? Here are my top three reasons why dropping SEL into your ELA lessons is a good move… it’s why I have a whole SEL bundle! Oh, and don’t forget to pick up the freebie at the bottom of this post!
- Holistic Development: SEL in a core subject like ELA means helping students grow emotionally and socially, not just academically. It’s about recognizing that everyone’s got different strengths and needs.
- Real-Life Connections: When you mix SEL into different subjects, students can see how these skills actually matter beyond the classroom… like how empathy and communication are skills they’ll use in the real world.
- Inclusivity: SEL makes sure all students feel supported emotionally. It’s like giving each student their own cheerleader squad for their feelings.
So, how do you start? Here are some quick-win ways to start incorporating SEL skills to your lessons. You can easily set these up from scratch yourself, but if you want a ready made resource for some of them, check out the linked products:
- Character Analysis: Have students dig into characters’ feelings and why they act the way they do. This goes deeper than the story.
- Journaling: Encourage students to keep journals where they jot down how they’re feeling and what’s going on. It’s like their personal emotion diary.
- Expressive Art: Let creativity loose! Get students making or compiling art or music that shows how they’re feeling. It’s like emotions turned into art.
- Collaborative Projects: Teamwork time! Assign group projects that need everyone to pitch in. It’s like art that brings people together.
- Online Etiquette: Talk about being nice online and how to act responsibly on the internet. It’s like a guide to being a good online citizen.
- Digital Detox Challenge: Encourage mini-breaks from screens where they can think about how they’re feeling. It’s like pressing pause on all the tech.
- Role Play: Make it thoughtful with role-playing where students talk their way through their own or character emotions. It’s empathy in action.
- Cultural Understanding: Explore how feelings are different in different cultures. It’s like a tour of emotions around the world.
- Global Issues Project: Get students researching global stuff and how it ties into emotions. It’s like understanding feelings on a worldwide scale.
- Personal Growth Portfolio: Have them put together a portfolio that shows their learning and emotional growth. It’s like a snapshot of their journey.
Enjoy playing around with these ideas, and if you hit on something awesome, come and share in in my Middle and High School ELA Teacher Advice Facebook group. Oh, and today’s freebie is a set of 15 flexible one-pagers. Enjoy!