Fostering Collaborative & Inclusive Learning Spaces: Incorporate SEL Practices Into Activities

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

– CASEL

INTRO

The benefits of SEL are far-reaching and include, better academic performance, improved attitudes and behaviors, fewer negative behaviors, and reduced emotional stress. Educators and OST providers understand and believe in the power of SEL, but often seek clarity about how to demonstrate and observe SEL in action.

The below activities are practical ways to introduce and broaden the use of SEL practices in classrooms, schools, and even workplaces. These are meant to be examples to help educators understand and practice the goals of an overall systemic SEL plan, and not specific SEL curriculum.

OBJECTIVES

Set the tone for learning and interactions as you launch the school day, or run a staff meeting, etc.

Purposefully and thoughtfully design each element to achieve a particular outcome.

Intentionally chose strategies, activities, and protocols to foster interactions that model (SEL) in action and help create an equitable experience.

RESOURCE LINKS

PDF: SEL 3 Signature Practices Playbook (by CASEL)

These activities are designed for everyone in mind. Students and adults alike are a part of the lifelong learning process for developing and using strong SEL skills that foster a collaborative environment in which the fullness of each person’s identity is acknowledged and elevated.

Welcoming / Inclusion Activities

Open each class period, meeting, or professional learning experience with an activity that builds community and connects to the work ahead.

Examples of Welcoming Activities, Routines, and Rituals:

Smile warmly and greet each person by their preferred name
Whole-group greeting activities
Morning circles
Interactive “do-nows,” such as peer-to-peer homework help

Find specific activity directions and additional Welcoming/Inclusion Activities on Pages 10-18 of the provided PDF resource

Engaging Strategies, Brain Breaks, and Transitions

Embed Engaging Strategies to anchor thinking and learning, throughout the experience. Engaging strategies offers many opportunities that vary in complexity to practice SEL skills. Build in a balance of interactive and reflective experiences to meet the needs of all participants.

Examples of Engaging Strategies:

Think, Ink, Pair, Share (silent time to reflect; time to write; partner discussions; close with a group share out)
Clock Partners (prearrange partners for quickly pairing up for reflection and discussion)
Private think-time (facilitator wait-time)
Mindful Minute Brain Break (a calming activity, promoting focus and readiness to learn)

Find specific activity directions and additional Engaging Strategies, Brain Breaks, & Transitions Activities on Pages 19-35 of the provided PDF resource

Optimistic Closures

Not necessarily a “cheery ending,” but rather highlights an individual and shared understanding of the importance of the work, and can provide a sense of accomplishment and support forward-thinking. The closing activity may be reflective of the learning, help identify next steps, or make connections to one’s own work.

Examples of Optimistic Closure:

Something I learned today…
I am curious about…
I am looking forward to tomorrow because…
Something I’ll do as a result of this meeting is…
Something I still question…
Something that still concerns me…

Find specific activity directions and additional Optimistic Closures Activities on Pages 36-46 of the provided PDF resource

TIPS

Establish a shared agreement that it is always okay to pass. Encourage participants to verbally say “Pass” or “Please come back to me” if that is their choice today.
Equity of voice: All participants are encouraged to speak and are respectfully heard.
Inclusion: All degrees of participation are welcomed and acknowledged.
Collectivism: All engage in and contribute to a “for the good of the group” experience.