Supporting Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom

[EBiedron]

Mental health resources are currently unable to meet the needs of the increasing number of children and young adults.  Teachers like you are taking on this responsibility by incorporating social and emotional lessons to all students and making a difference!  Adding social emotional literature to your routine can help students' self-confidence, appropriate social skills, and becoming accepting of their peers.  Three books my children love containing social emotional lessons include The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill, The Bad Seed by Jory John, and Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman.

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill addresses bullying in school.  But when a new student comes to class and does not know the reputation of the Recess Queen, the rest of the class is shocked to see that a little kindness goes a long way.  Be sure to talk with your class about ways to spread kindness.  Maybe some of your students have stories they can share about a time they were kind to someone who was not always kind to them or vice versa.  What was the outcome?  

The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill

The Bad Seed by Jory John can be used in classrooms to discuss stereotyping as well as working to improve yourself.  About halfway through this book the bad seed shares his story and explains why he is so bad.  After a while he decides he doesn't want to be bad anymore and begins to try really hard to change his ways.  Scaffolding discussions with questions such as "Have you ever judged someone based on their reputation or have you been judged based on yours?".  Then ask your students to reflect about how that made them feel?  Students could also be asked to come up with something they would like to improve about themselves, creating goals in the process.

The Bad Seed by Jory John 

Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman is another wonderful book to incorporate into your social emotional lessons.  This book can be used to teach students to be accepting of others despite your differences.  The main character of this book is not afraid to be different, and with time, and no other choice, the rest of the class embraces Carla's unique taste in lunch food.  Teachers can use this book to incorporate discussions of acceptance of others and not changing yourself in order to be accepted.  

Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman

Taking the time to teach social and emotional skill to your students can have a major impact on their day-to-day interactions.  Not only will you be addressing mental health needs, but you will also create a warm and welcoming environment in your classroom!