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The social and emotional well-being of students is more important than ever. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) equips young people with essential skills that not only enhance their academic performance but also prepare them for life’s challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n Integrating SEL into the classroom, however, can be challenging. This blog post explores the 5 core competencies of SEL, how to implement them in your classroom, and how a solution like Progress Learning can help.<\/span><\/p>\n Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to young people and adults\u2019 ability to develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will help them develop healthy identities, manage their emotions in a healthy way, achieve their goals, establish and maintain supportive relationships, feel empathy, and make decisions that are both responsible and caring toward the needs of others.<\/span><\/p>\n CASEL has created an SEL framework<\/span><\/a> that schools, districts, states, and others can use to foster social and emotional competence. This framework is divided into 5 core competencies. They\u2019re numbered here for organizational purposes, but according to CASEL, no one competency takes precedence or importance over another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at each one and see how they can be implemented in the classroom.<\/span> <\/a> Self-awareness looks like:<\/span><\/p>\n To help students develop self-awareness, educators can:<\/span><\/p>\n All elementary students receive an individualized Learning Plan in Progress Learning and Liftoff. Students are able to self-manage their own areas of strength as well as their learning challenges through diagnostic assessments. They are able to recognize their strengths and reach even greater success mentally and emotionally by knowing which academic goals to focus on.<\/span><\/p>\n For secondary students, the Results Page empowers them to take ownership of their learning and identify their academic challenges. Students can view all the activities they have completed and their scores. They are able to self-manage their own areas of strength as well as their learning challenges. If the teacher allows it, students can retry an assignment and compare their original score to their retry score.<\/span> <\/a> Self-management looks like:<\/span><\/p>\n To help students develop self-management, educators can:<\/span><\/p>\n With Progress Learning, all students can see their own growth and feel success! Elementary students work to earn Galaxy Stars to show that they have fully mastered a standard. They can earn up to 3 Galaxy Stars based on their performance: 1 star for 70% mastery, 2 stars for 80% mastery, and 3 stars for 100% mastery.<\/span><\/p>\n Secondary students can use our colorful Dot Rank system to identify their areas of weakness. Then, they can do independent practice in those weak areas (indicated by pink and yellow dots) and work to earn green dots to show they have fully mastered a standard. They can also earn a gold star when they complete all the practice for that standard.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/a> Social awareness looks like:<\/span><\/p>\n To help students develop social awareness, educators can:<\/span><\/p>\n Our Alien Ranking Cards allow students to celebrate and encourage one another to be their best. As students grow and master standards, they unlock new Alien Ranking levels, which also unlock other fun and exciting rewards. Many schools have creative bulletin boards to visually celebrate each student\u2019s progress. Students are always very excited to cheer on their friends when they get to move their name up to a new level.<\/span><\/p>\n Our Green Dot Challenge helps students see progress made and aspire to reach new levels as a class and as a school. Teachers use progress monitoring to set achievable goals for each student. As students master standards and earn green dots, they contribute to the collective progress of their class or school. The Green Dot Challenge fosters healthy competition and teamwork. It also makes learning fun!<\/span> <\/a> Relationship skills look like:<\/span><\/p>\n To help students develop relationship skills, educators can:<\/span><\/p>\n Our teacher chat and video messaging feature promotes relationship-building between students and teachers. Teachers can connect with each student individually and confidentially to check on their social and emotional well-being. As teachers assign work, they can send personalized messages of encouragement or praise, which students receive before starting the assignment.<\/span> <\/a> Responsible decision-making looks like:<\/span><\/p>\n To help students develop responsible decision-making, educators can:<\/span><\/p>\n Our games help elementary students develop the ability to make constructive choices. After they answer a question correctly, students celebrate their success by playing a fun 20-second game. They can also track their progress and work toward earning more Galaxy Stars. Galaxy Stars allow students to unlock other engaging features like more games, blasters and rockets for their games, and higher Alien Ranking Cards. Students have the opportunity to problem-solve and do their best on the first attempt when answering questions.<\/span><\/p>\n Secondary students can take responsibility for their own academic progress through independent practice. With access to Study Plans, assignments, assessments, and Graded Work (including remediation assignments), students are empowered to identify their areas of weakness and choose what to work on. This process promotes autonomy and reinforces their ability to make responsible decisions about their learning.<\/span><\/p>\n Incorporating these 5 core SEL competencies into your classroom can be challenging, but it is crucial. A recent<\/span> EdWeek survey found that 83% of educators noted the positive impact of SEL on students’ academic success<\/span><\/a>, while 84% observed improvements in essential “soft skills” such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n Fortunately, there are various strategies and solutions that can make integrating SEL easier. As outlined above, solutions like Progress Learning can help educators and schools create a supportive culture that prioritizes SEL and prepares students for success in and out of the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n Watch this recorded webinar to see how to incorporate Social and Emotional Learning in academic instruction!<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Is Social and Emotional Learning?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\n<\/p>\n1.<\/b> \u00a0<\/span>Self-Awareness<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nThe CASEL framework describes self-awareness as the ability \u201cto understand one\u2019s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts.\u201d This includes the ability to recognize one\u2019s own strengths and limitations while maintaining confidence and a sense of purpose. Students who cultivate self-awareness can better understand how their emotions, thoughts, and values shape their behavior, which helps them navigate various aspects of their lives with greater confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Strategies to Implement <\/b>Self-Awareness<\/strong> in the Classroom<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Using Progress Learning to Promote <\/b>Self-Awareness<\/b><\/h4>\n
Elementary Students: Individualized Learning Plans<\/b><\/h4>\n
Secondary Students: Assignment Results Page<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/p>\n2.<\/b> \u00a0<\/span>Self-Management<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nSelf-management refers to the ability to regulate one\u2019s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in various situations to achieve personal goals and aspirations. Formal education provides students with structure, but it\u2019s crucial for young people to also develop their own self-discipline and motivation. Self-management helps students continue progressing even when no one is holding them accountable but themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Strategies to Implement <\/b>Self-Management<\/b> in the Classroom<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Using Progress Learning to Promote <\/b>Self-Management<\/b><\/h4>\n
Elementary Students: Galaxy Stars<\/b><\/h4>\n
Secondary Students: Progress Report with Dot Rank<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/p>\n3.<\/b> \u00a0<\/span>Social Awareness<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nSocial awareness refers to the ability to understand and empathize with others, especially those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. It helps young people understand broader historical and social norms and develop compassion. <\/span>When students learn to consider others\u2019 perspectives and recognize their strengths, show empathy and concern for the feelings of others, and identify diverse social norms \u2014 including those that are unjust \u2014 they become more responsible citizens of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Strategies to Implement <\/b>Social Awareness<\/b> in the Classroom<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Using Progress Learning to Promote <\/b>Social Awareness<\/b><\/h4>\n
Elementary Students: Alien Ranking Cards<\/b><\/h4>\n
Secondary Students: The Green Dot Challenge<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/p>\n4.<\/b> Relationship Skills<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nRelationship skills encompass the ability to establish and maintain healthy, supportive relationships while effectively navigating interactions with diverse individuals and groups. Research shows that children who develop strong emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills are more likely to succeed in education, careers, interpersonal relationships, and even romantic partnerships.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Strategies to Implement <\/b>Relationship Skills<\/b> in the Classroom<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Using Progress Learning to Promote <\/b>Relationship Skills<\/b><\/h4>\n
All Grade Levels: Student\/Teacher Chat<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/p>\n5. <\/b>Responsible Decision-Making<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nResponsible decision-making involves the ability to make caring, constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across a variety of situations. This skill is critical for helping young people navigate challenges, make thoughtful assessments of outcomes, and keep themselves and those around them safe. Educators can play a central role in guiding students to evaluate the personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional impacts of their decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Strategies to Implement <\/b>Responsible Decision-Making<\/b> in the Classroom<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Using Progress Learning to Promote <\/b>Responsible Decision-Making<\/b><\/h4>\n
Elementary Students: Embedded Games<\/b><\/h4>\n
Secondary Students: Independent Practice<\/b><\/h4>\n
Making SEL Integration Easier<\/b><\/h3>\n