Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional
Learning
Andrea Tate
Teacher Leader Project - California State University Fullerton
Audience: K-3 PLC St. Genevieve Elementary
April 7, 2022

Good afternoon! For my credential course at Cal State-Fullerton, we were asked to

research a topic that would help us to become better educators and leaders. I have
been hearing about “social emotional learning” for some time, and decided this was
the perfect time to dive right in. I also felt this was a topic that my PLC members could
benefit from, given the unique behavior and needs we have seen while teaching in a
pandemic.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Inquiry Question
● How can the use of social emotional learning
strategies promote positive student
development?

This inquiry question frames my study of social emotional learning - emphasizing how
it can help our student’s academic, social, and emotional development in the
classroom.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Presentation Objectives & Standards

Objectives
After participating in this presentation, my K-3 PLC will be able to…
● Understand the foundation of social emotional learning and its benefits in the
classroom
● Identify and implement at least one SEL strategy that will support student
development

Standards
● CSTP 2.1: Promoting social development and responsibility within a caring
community where each student is treated fairly and respectfully
● CSTP 6.3: Collaborating with colleagues and the broader professional
community to support teacher and student learning
● NBPTS Proposition 1: Teachers are committed to students and their learning
● TLS Domain 4: Facilitates improvements in instruction and student learning

I have two objectives I hope my PLC members will be able to do after the
presentation.

These are the standards that this presentation is based on (acronyms):

CSTP - California Standards for the Teaching Profession
NBPTS - National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
TLS - Teacher Leader Standards

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 Social Emotional Learning

Table of Contents
01 Defining 02 Outcomes 03 Classroom
Social of Social Application
Emotional Emotional of Social
Learning Learning Emotional
Learning

As with any good research-based practice, this topic has a variety of areas I am not
covering today. I felt that an introduction to SEL would be best, with an emphasis on
what SEL can do for teachers, and how to effectively use it in the classroom.

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 Social Emotional Learning

How would
you rate your
feelings going
into this
conversation?

Educational Hook - We are jumping right in to social emotional learning by using one
of the strategies themselves…the feelings wheel! The teachers will rate how they are
feeling based on the zone (green, blue, red, or yellow), and then choose a specific
adjective based on that zone of feeling.

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 Social Emotional Learning

01
What is social
emotional
learning?

First area of study - breaking down what social emotional learning is.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Defining Social Emotional Learning

The process where children and adults learn

and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills
to…
1. understand and manage emotions,
2. set and achieve positive goals,
3. feel and show empathy for others,
4. establish and maintain positive relationships,
5. make responsible decisions
(CASEL, 2019b, para. 1)

Social emotional learning has a variety of definitions, but all are rooted in the
knowledge, attitudes, and skills to complete the 5 listed competencies.
This specific definition was used in the professional development I attended, and the
citation references CASEL, which is the leading group that researches social
emotional development.

That being said, SEL focuses on emotions, goals, empathy, relationships, and
decisions, if I were to sum it up.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Where did SEL originate?

Daniel Goleman (1995), who is known for his
pioneering work on emotional intelligence, set the
foundation for social emotional learning research.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) Social Emotional Learning

The capacity to be aware of, control,
and express one’s emotions, and to
handle interpersonal relationships
judiciously and empathetically.
(Oxford Dictionary)
(SEL)
Learning skills to be self-confident and
motivated, knowing expected behaviors,
curbing impulses, being able to wait, follow
directions, knowing how to ask for help,
expressing needs, and getting along with
others.
(Zins et. al, 2004)

Goleman taught us that character matters, and the skills needed to build good
character can be taught. He is famous for writing the book Emotional Intelligence
back in 1995. Since then, countless research has been done on emotional
intelligence and why emotions are not a bad thing like they had previously been
taught. But it is important that we are taught ways to manage our emotions in order to
have positive relationships.

Emotional intelligence could be considered an umbrella term that SEL falls under.
Compare and contrast the two definitions. What is similar? What is different?

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 Social Emotional Learning

The Current SEL Movement

Driven by CASEL

● Collaborative for Academic,

Social, and Emotional
Learning
● Based in University of Illinois
at Chicago
● Mission: to establish SEL as
an essential part of
education

Since Goleman, research continues to emerge when it comes to emotional

intelligence and social emotional learning. One group that is considered that the helm
of this movement goes by the name CASEL - Collaborative for Academic, Social, and
Emotional Learning. I loved their mission statement, which is brief and to the point: to
establish SEL as an essential part of education.

CASEL is helping schools to recognize the value that SEL has in their classrooms.

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 Social Emotional Learning

5 Competencies of SEL
Responsible
Self- Self- Social Relationship
Decision
Awareness Management Awareness Skills Making

Students can
Students can Students can see other Students can Students can
recognize regulate perspectives establish and make good
emotions and emotions, and maintain choices that
how they thoughts, and understand relationships care about
affect behaviors in the with strong the well-being
behavior different differences in communication of oneself and
situations others skills others

SEL seems broad, but it helps to break it down into 5 categories or competencies:
Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and
Responsible Decision Making.
It is important to remember that students will be strong in some competencies and will
struggle in other competencies. Just like their teachers! For example, I believe I teach
and model social awareness and relationship skills well, but I could be better at
teaching and modeling self-awareness and how to recognize and manage emotions
in my students.

Give PLC members a moment to read through each competency on the presentation
or on their handout.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Progress Monitoring Question

Look at the SEL competency
wheel and think about your
students:
1. What competency do you
think your students are
doing well?
2. What competency do your
students need to work
on?

Progress Monitoring Question 1: Please look at the social emotional smart art wheel.
This was a graphic that I found on a blog page, Pitsco Education. It is cited here:
https://blog.pitsco.com/blog/get-sailing-with-social-emotional-learning
I like how it simply breaks down each of the 5 competencies. Now, take a few minutes
to answer each question in the space given on your handout.

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 Social Emotional Learning

02
What are the
outcomes?

Second area of study - looking into the outcomes of social emotional learning. What is
the point? Why take the time? Let’s find out!

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 Social Emotional Learning

“Attention to social and emotional

development is not only valuable in
early childhood. Sustaining a focus
on SEL growth through adolescence
is crucial for improving achievement
and outcomes beyond school.”
—JJ Heckman (2008)

This quote stood out to me in my research of this topic, it was said by JJ Heckman, a
Nobel Prize winning economist. You may be wondering…what does an economist
know about social emotional learning? Mr. Heckman has a program, the Heckman
Equation, which believes in the value of investing in early childhood education.
In short, if students have the tools to keep their emotions in check, they are better
able to focus on their academics.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Positive Outcomes of SEL

Communication Behavior Anxiety Academics

Improve 35% of children have Decrease 2014 study shows
communication experienced 1+ emotional anxiety that teaching SEL
skills with teachers traumatic event. SEL in tests and raises student
and classmates provides helpful coping day-to-day scores by 11
strategies before challenges percentile points
behavior worsens

This smart art organizes 4 positive outcomes that are seen when SEL strategies are
consistently taught and used in a classroom.

Communication - Students often lack communication skills, especially coming out of a

pandemic where they were learning behind a screen. These skills help students to
better communicate their thoughts and feelings with their classmates AND their
teachers.
Behavior - According to a 2019 study by the CDC, 35% of children have experienced
1 or more traumatic event in their lives thus far. As a result, SEL provides them with
the toolbox they need to navigate and manage their feelings and behaviors in a
healthy and productive way.
Anxiety - Consistent SEL instruction has shown a reduction in anxiety, stemming from
tests to regular challenges they may face.
Academics - This is likely the outcome that any teacher would be the most interested
in: A 2014 meta-analysis of 2 groups, students who were taught with SEL strategies
and students who were taught without SEL strategies, showed that the academic
scores of the SEL students saw an average increase of 11%. This is amazing! You
cannot argue that SEL takes away from instructional time, this proves that it is
essential to elongating and adding to instructional time.

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 Social Emotional Learning

03
How can I use
this in my
classroom?

Third and final area of study - we now know the definition and foundation of social
emotional learning, in addition to the outcomes that we see by using SEL in the
classroom. We will finish our conversation by looking at specific strategies and
suggestions that I have for you to easily begin integrating SEL into your classrooms.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Classroom Implementation
1. Set goals before implementation

● What changes do you want to see in your classroom? Make

a list.

2. Understand there may be challenges. Suggestions:

● Focus on one outcome at a time

● Seek out additional trainings
● Consider a school-wide SEL program

Before we talk strategy, let’s set some goals: What changes do you want to see in
your classroom? Write them down in the space on your handout.

Keeping these goals in mind, choose strategies that will prioritize those changes.

Secondly, know that there will be challenges and that is okay! My suggestions are to:
1. Focus on one outcome at a time. For example, if I want to improve the
self-awareness in my classroom, I will just work on strategies that promote
this. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do too many at one time.
2. I know no teacher wants to hear this…but this is a great topic to see out more
trainings and professional developments on. I really enjoyed the one I took
through Advancement Courses.
3. Finally, this may be a ways out, but I think our school could benefit from
implementing this on a school-wide level. This way students are consistently
being exposed to social emotional learning strategies from year to year.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Ideas for Classroom Implementation

● Art activity: play a song or read a
poem out loud. Distribute coloring
supplies and allow students to draw
out any feelings that come to mind
● Class jobs: teaches students to take
responsibility
● Student choice boards: empowers
students to make their own choices
● Mindfulness/meditation: belly
breathing, allows students to relax
● Breathing cards: directs the flow of
student breath
● Class intentions: set a goal for the
day
● Setting goals: come up with a star
and a step on what they did well, and
what they want to work on
● Picture books: find topics that relate
to areas your students are struggling
in
● Cool down corner: set up a safe space
in your classroom
● Feelings wheel/temperature check:
gauge how students are feeling
● Check in/check out: struggling
students are assigned a different
teacher to check in/out with each
morning and afternoon

Based on the research I have done in reading more about this topic, these are 11 core
strategies that you may consider implementing in your classroom. Take a minute to
read through the list on your handout, and circle 1-2 that interest you.
I will further highlight two of the strategies, Check in and Check out and Cool Down
Corner on the next two slides. You will recall that we already used the feelings wheel
to start our conversation!

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 Social Emotional Learning

Strategy Highlight: Check In/Check Out

● Not for all students, choose struggling students in your class
who could benefit from talking to someone else
● Check-ins are brief: 2 minutes in the morning, 2 minutes after
school
● Work with other teacher to get updates on student progress
● Teacher signs off on their behavior goals and progress
● Involve parents and students in goal-setting

● Check it out!

This strategy will not work for all teachers and students, but I appreciated the
simplicity of it and believe it could reach our more “difficult” students. Some important
notes about the Check in and Check out strategy:
1. It should be brief. 1-2 minutes in the morning before school, and 1-2 minutes
after school.
2. The student is paired up with another teacher that is not their current teacher.
For example, Mrs. Sanders in Kindergarten could be the mentor for my 3rd
grader.
3. The student and mentor set goals at the beginning of the trimester or month.
These goals can be simple, such as: Be kind to my classmates, or, stay on
task during writing time. They reflect on and sign off on these goals during
check in and check out time.
4. Let’s check it out in action in this video, demonstrated by Fall-Hamilton
Elementary School.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Strategy Highlight: Cool Down Corner

Calming
posters for
students to
look at

A timer for
students to set:
this also tells them
Picture books based when to return to
on character their seat
development

Flip book cards to

walk them through
breathing and ways
to calm down

This is another strategy that I am sure you have heard before, the Cool Down Corner!
Let’s start by looking at this photo. What helpful items do you see in this cool down
corner?

Students are not expected to use all of these, rather they will be familiar with what is
there and can choose the fidget, book, card, etc. that best fits their emotional needs in
that moment. The only requirement is that the student flips the timer over when they
reach the Cool Down Corner, and when the timer is done, that is their cue to take a
deep breath and return to their seat, ready to learn.

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 Social Emotional Learning

REMINDER
If done correctly, you do
not need to set aside
much more time to
incorporate these SEL
strategies. Incorporate
them into existing
academic or morning
meeting time.

I added this reminder because I know any new training or idea can cause feelings of
being overwhelmed or thoughts of, “I can’t find the time to do this!”
I suggest incorporating it into your regular day as much as possible, and if you need
to introduce a new strategy or have a conversation, use morning meeting time to do
so. It is a great way to help set positive intentions for the day.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Engaging Families in SEL

● SEL Parent Letter
(provided by Advancement
Courses)
● Model what you seek
● Build your student’s
self-esteem and
confidence
● Respect that they
might act/think
differently than you
● Utilize school support
services

At SG, we are big on family involvement. Parents are expected to play a present role
in their child’s education, and for that reason, I think it is helpful to involve them in
your social emotional learning practices (just like we do for our digital citizenship
lessons!)

This letter was provided by the professional development I attended, and while it is
only a portion of the letter, I think it does a great job explaining social emotional
learning, and encouraging parents to be involved in nurturing the 5 competencies in
their children at home.
The box on the right are suggestions for parents, reminding them that in order to see
positive changes in their child, it is important that they are good models of social
emotional development themselves.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Parent Apps

Parachute app: provides solutions for

parents as they face regular parenting
challenges; backed by parenting research

Mind Yeti app: mindfulness app for families

Another resource for parents are these two apps, which were also highlighted in the
professional development. The first app, Parent Parachute, gives parental advice on
how to manage day-to-day parenting challenges. The second app, Mind Yet, focuses
on family-centered meditation and mindfulness.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Progress Monitoring Question

Now that you have a foundation in social
emotional learning, do you see the benefits of
using it in the classroom? How so?

Progress Monitoring Question #2: Please read the question to yourself. Then write
down your thoughts in the space provided on your handout.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Assessing Social Emotional Learning

The big question is…is it working?

Ideas for assessment:

● Surveys/questionnaires given to
students that measure SEL
competencies
● Observations: after a few weeks of
consistent implementation, look for
growth or change
● Exit tickets

Any good teacher will use a form of assessment to determine whether or not
something is working. Well, the same goes for social emotional learning. These are
some ways you can assess the strategies you are using in your classroom. I provided
an example of exit tickets on the next slide.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Exit Tickets

An exit ticket, a form of formative assessment, is a great way to quickly assess

whether or not your students are applying these social emotional learning strategies.
These are just a few examples, that you could post to Seesaw or Classkick and the
students could fill in as a way to wind down at the end of the day. I like that these ask
students to reflect in different ways, providing them opportunities to draw, instead of
just write, how their day went.
Another note: I likely would not use these exit tickets every day as I wouldn’t want
students to burn out of them. I think they would be most effective if used 1-2 times a
week.
These are just a few examples - I would be happy to share the Google Slides that I
got these from, they came from a SEL program called Friendzy.

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 Social Emotional Learning

SEL Curriculums to Consider

Curriculum Links

Move This World

Positive Action

Second Steps

Friendzy

I was initially not going to add SEL curriculums to this presentation, but I do think that
if we want to pursue this as a school in the future, it is helpful to have credible,
research-based sources to turn to. These four curriculums, linked here, each teach
the 5 competencies of SEL in a manner similar to our digital citizenship lessons.

Move This World:

https://www.movethisworld.com/paid-landing-page/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=
google&utm_campaign=search&utm_content=sel-curriculum&utm_term=not-set
Positive Action: https://www.positiveaction.net/sel-curriculum-program
Second Steps:
https://www.secondstep.org/early-learning-curriculum?src=google&kwd=second%20s
tep&campaignid=366730581&adgroupid=23506517061&keyword=second%20step&d
evice=c&gclid=cjwkcajwi6wsbha-eiwa6niok85wbwoa8wvigod6mfpg-lr8_3ugsdy-iyxnt2
x0dhd7ecbmz8c1abock6aqavd_bwe
Friendzy:
https://www.friendzy.co/friendzy-sel-bundle?gclid=CjwKCAjwi6WSBhA-EiwA6Niok4np
wmCYqcFV81VU8-KJV4iLyioIcxvA29NzXY4TMC99GaGJ-TqCFBoC2V4QAvD_BwE#
value

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 Social Emotional Learning

Culminating Question
Reflect on the behaviors you have seen in
your classroom these past two years.
Now reflect on the different SEL strategies
on your handout. Which strategy are you
considering implementing into your
classroom?
Please scan the QR code and answer on the
Padlet.

The pandemic has changed our students in one way or another. It is

our job to guide them to become better people. For our culminating
question, please scan the QR code and answer the following question
on the Padlet: Which strategy are you considering implementing into
your classroom? You can go back to slide 17 to reference as needed.

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 Social Emotional Learning

Culminating Activity
Thank you for your participation! After our
meeting, I will email you a Google Form
survey that is a follow-up of our
conversation today.

I would appreciate your response if you are

able.

Finally, for our culminating activity, I will email participants a Google Form after our
meeting. This will give them time to reflect on the concepts we discussed. This is the
link to the Google Form: https://forms.gle/GBavWsqvbJHVYnM6A

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 Social Emotional Learning

References List
● Advancement Courses Professional Development: An Exploration into Social and Emotional Learning
● Bennett, C. (2019, October 23). Social Emotional learning beyond the classroom. ThoughtCo. Retrieved April 3,
2022, from https://www.thoughtco.com/competencies-all-students-need-3571793
● Edutopia. (2001, February 22). Social and emotional learning: Strategies for parents. Edutopia. Retrieved April 3,
2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning-parent-resources
● Elias, M. J. (2014, August 15). Avoiding common mistakes when implementing SEL. Edutopia. Retrieved April 3,
2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/avoiding-common-mistakes-when-implementing-sel-maurice-elias
● 25 social emotional learning activities & how they promote student well-being. Prodigy Education. Retrieved April
3, 2022, from https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/social-emotional-learning-activities/
● George Lucas Educational Foundation. (2011, October 7). Social and Emotional Learning: A short history.
Edutopia. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://www.edutopia.org/social-emotional-learning-history
● The Heckman equation. The Heckman Equation. (2017, February 6). Retrieved April 3, 2022, from
https://heckmanequation.org/resource/the-heckman-equation/
● The importance of social emotional learning in children. Buffalo County Community Partners. (n.d.). Retrieved
April 3, 2022, from https://bcchp.org/the-importance-of-social-emotional-learning-in-children/
● Williams, P. (2019, February 15). Mapping 21st-century skills to SEL competencies. Getting Smart. Retrieved April
3, 2022, from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/02/15/mapping-21st-century-skills-to-sel-competencies/
● Zins, J. E., & Goleman, D. (2004). Building academic success on social and emotional learning: What does the
research say? Teachers College Press.

Thank you for attending and participating in our conversation surrounding social
emotional learning today! Listed above are the various resources I used to prepare
this presentation. I learned the most from the book, Building Academic Success on
Social and Emotional Learning, written by Zins and Goleman, in addition to the
Advancement Courses professional development that I referenced throughout the
presentation. I also found helpful information from various Edutopia websites. I would
recommend any of these resources if you are interested in learning more.

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