Social Emotional Learning (SEL) The WHY and a Better HOW

To begin with, social-emotional learning isn’t new, it didn’t begin with the pandemic.  Technology of many kinds has changed the ways we communicate with one another in all situations.  Not just phones, not just the internet. While I used to knock on my friend’s door to see if she could play, many parents now schedule play dates.  My friends and I would negotiate which game to play or whose house to play at.  Most families have two parents working by necessity. Perhaps children aren’t allowed outside while parents are working. The most recent curriculum adoptions in schools involve quite a bit more solitary work answering questions on a laptop, without opportunities for students to work together. 

But here’s what I’ve noticed is lacking and what you can do to improve the relationships and climate in your classroom..  I promise, it’s simple, especially at the beginning of the year as you are getting to know students.  I’ve noticed that the end of a lesson just falls flat, or it ends with a short video demonstrating the skill, or, I’m sorry, but worse still- a worksheet.  INSTEAD   Put students into small groups.  The materials don’t matter.  They can work on writing a short story together, they can stack blocks, they can separate legos into colors and sizes, they can organize the classroom library.

Online phonics diagnostic @whamphonics.com
Additional elementary resources @ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Whamphonics