Utilizing Self-Awareness and Personal Discovery Books in a Classroom

[BentleyMalacos]

Before jumping into three exciting examples of SEL-friendly book options, I want to emphasize why incorporating SEL-friendly books into the classroom is so essential. First of all, as developing into a functional, well-rounded, and responsible member of society is a life-long task/goal, using these books throughout childhood development is ideal. Thankfully, a range of these books exist and selections can be made that suit whatever age students you are working with. To briefly explain, these SEL-friendly books assist in reaching this goal as SEL concepts help individuals “…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.). As students acquire these crucial skills/benefits, their personal development will improve overall and help them form into truly well-rounded individuals. Hopefully one of these three choices stands out to you and will make a difference in the life of at least one of your future students!

My top 3 titles:

1. When Sophie Thinks She Can’t… by Molly Bang 

To purchase this book: https://shop.scholastic.com/teachers-ecommerce/teacher/books/when-sophie-thinks-she-cant-97813381529...

When Sophie Thinks She Can’t by… Molly Bang is a children’s picture book that tells a story of a little girl who learns the importance of persistence. The little girl makes this discovery while receiving help and encouragement from her teacher as she battles to understand math and puzzles. This selection is wonderful in promoting personal growth for young readers as an important life-lesson is at the heart of this book. Once again, this lesson is the importance of persistence! Readers can learn this lesson, and therefore further their personal growth, by connecting the concept with a “real-life” example of how persistence can lead to achievement. This book can also teach readers the important lesson that the differences between them and their peers should be respected. This is accomplished because readers can view an example of how someone struggling to excel in school feels as they cannot accomplish the same tasks as their classmates (which is an example of diversity). By witnessing the little girl’s sad feelings, children can develop an understanding that their personal reactions to the situation, such as supporting their friend or making fun of the child, can either contribute to the situation in a positive or negative manner. Finally, this book offers children an opportunity to feel like a successful reader as wonderful illustrations are included which may elicit a deeper understanding of the book’s content. In turn, this deeper understanding could overall lead to the reader feeling more successful. 

2. I Am Enough by Grace Byers

To purchase this book: https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/i-am-enough-9780062667120.html

I Am Enough by Grace Byers is another children’s picture book which entails a young multiracial girl stating strong, overall-positive “I am…” statements. Overall, this book turns negative scenarios into positives and offers empowering self-talk statements. Therefore, this book supports self-growth in many ways. One specific example could be the fact that readers could transfer these positive self-talk statements into their own life and daily habits. Moving on, this selection also emphasizes respecting the unique qualities readers may notice among their peers. To elaborate, the illustrations and text emphasize how the main character is a multiracial little girl with big, textured hair. Sadly, as this is not typically the main character of most children’s books as multiracial children (and therefore their unique qualities) do not get much recognition in the literature department, this highlighting can encourage readers to respect diversity overall. Finally, this book also offers readers the chance to feel like a successful reader as they will be exposed to wonderful examples of similes and metaphors throughout this book. In expanding the reader’s understanding of literary devices, a boost in confidence regarding their reading abilities is prone to follow!

3. Box Meets Circle by Aaron Hartline

To purchase this book: https://www.amazon.com/Box-Meets-Circle-Animation-Showcase/dp/1368015875

Box Meets Circle by Aaron Hartline is a children’s picture book which tells the story about two shapes that aspire to form a friendship despite sharing many differences. Throughout the selection, the shapes struggle to find activities in which they can both do successfully as their abilities are not the same. However, this ultimately does not stop the shapes as they are able to find activities in which they can both do. In turn, this book supports personal growth among readers as the concept of adjustment is displayed effectively. To further explain, this books offers a great chance for students to see an example of two individuals making compromises and finding middle-ground, an essential life-lesson that is sure to promote personal growth in a child. To reiterate, this book clearly has a large focus on diversity. In turn, as the story emphasizes the challenges in which can stem from diversity, but also a positive ending, readers can learn through this book how respecting a peer’s diverse features and making compromises is a positive, important concept. Finally, this book also provides students with an opportunity to feel like a successful reader as the entirety of the book is based on what is likely already a familiar topic for these students (how shapes are different). By allowing the reader to already have a strong, foundational understanding about the main topic, readers can feel a sense of confidence right off the bat! This confidence can also allow the reader to focus their attention of learning the literary devices and experiencing the other benefits which may stem from reading this book, which are sure to promote a sense of being a successful reader as well. 

References

CASEL. (n.d.). What is the Casel Framework? - casel. CASEL. https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/