Social Emotional Learning
[SEL is] an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. (CASEL, n.d.)
SEL and Academics:
SEL is already a key component of teaching and learning in many places across Oregon, from kindergarten classrooms to high school. Some of the ways SEL is integrated with academic learning in classrooms is through:
● Empathizing with a protagonist’s emotions when reading allows students to interpret narrative texts;
● Collaborating with fellow students on research projects applies social skills for academic success;
● Ethical deliberations that balance technical knowledge as students make scientific discoveries or learn about current events;
● Physical activity which nurtures mental and emotional well-being as students develop healthy practices to last a lifetime;
● Learning how to navigate social settings with confidence and respect develops students’ interpersonal and employability skills