Unit 2: Integrating SEL into the ELA Block
Introduction
In this Unit, you will learn about different strategies that you can use to integrate SEL into your ELA Block.The purpose of this unit is to give you ideas and concepts that you can then directly apply to your own teaching practice.
Objectives for this Unit will include:
- Identify strategies for promoting SEL in the ELA block
- Investigate the importance of SEL in reading and writing instruction in the ELA Block
- Develop strategies for using literature to promote SEL (including book selection)
- Identify and develop strategies for using writing to promote SEL and its key competencies
Lesson 1: SEL in Literacy
Mini Lesson
Integrating SEL into Literacy can be almost seamless as the skills in reading support SEL. For example, one of the SEL competencies has children focus on emotional regulation. If students can regulate emotions, then students will be able to take the perspective of characters in their books and understand their emotions. Continue reading below to see how SEL and Literacy can be interconnected.
Responsible Decision Making: Students who partake in responsible decision making have an increased ability to problem solve. In reading instruction, students make multiple decisions such as decoding, inferencing, summarizing, etc.
Self-management: In self-management students are able to control and regulate their own emotions. In times of frustration during literacy instruction, students that can manage emotions are better equipped when faced with difficulties during reading. Frustrations may include learning a new phonics skill or interpreting a comprehension strategy.
Social Awareness: When students have social awareness they are able to empathize and understand the feelings of others. In reading, this skill allows students to interpret and understand the emotions, actions, feelings of characters in their book.
Relationship Skills: Most reading instruction in the elementary years takes place in small group instruction. During small group instruction, students may take turns reading or collaborate on reading skills. Students will need to strengthen their relationship skills in order to work well in their reading groups.
To do
One of the easiest and most effective ways to integrate SEL into literacy instruction is through intentional book selection. Having students understand the characters in their book will allow them to practice key SEL concepts. For your activity, you will create a digital bookshelf of books you would like to read with your class that can focus on SEL integration within your literacy block.
Directions:
1) Look at the image below to see suggestions on what types of book are most beneficial for supporting SEL skills.
2) Build a digital bookshelf. Click the link to see an example. You will need a GoodReads account to participate in this activity.
3) 
Reflect in your notebook with your takeaways from this lesson.
Next Steps
