Unit 3: Integrating SEL into STEM Block

Introduction

In this Unit, you will learn about different strategies that you can use to integrate SEL into your STEM Block.The purpose of this unit is to give you ideas and concepts that you can then directly apply to your own teaching practice.

At the end of Unit 3, students will be able to:

• Identify strategies for promoting SEL in the STEM block
• Investigate the importance of SEL in science and math instruction in the STEM block
• Develop strategies that promote SEL competencies within math and science instruction

Lesson 1: Integrating SEL into Math Instruction

Mini Lesson

Mathematics is a subject where many students feel uncomfortable or struggle. Many of these feelings come from preconceived notions about math that our society has forced upon students. Below you will read through the 5 SEL competencies and how SEL integration can be used within math instruction to promote success.

1 & 2- Self-Awareness/Self-Management: Feelings of stress and anxiety are commonly present during math instruction. Students who practice self-awareness are able to recognize these emotions and use coping strategies to decrease these feelings.

3- Social Awareness: During math instruction, teachers need to create a positive classroom community where students can feel free to take risks, make mistakes and support the work of their peers.

4- Relationship Skills: Within math instruction, students need to be able to listen and build off the ideas of their peers. Students who begin develop strong relationships skills will be more able to work collaboratively in order to problem solve.

5 - Responsible Decision Making: Students that can partake in responsible decision making are more able to make efficient choices when problem solving. For example, students may learn multiple multiple strategies for multiplication or division. If students are able to make responsible decisions, then when they encounter a multiplication or division problem they can successfully decide which strategy is most efficient or works the best for them.

To do

After reading through all the SEL competencies and their relationship to mathematics, think about your own mathematics instruction. What areas do you feel you might need to support more SEL integration within your math block?

Click the article here to review how you can integrate different strategies into your math instruction that can will also promote the SEL competencies.

When you are done, reflect on what strategies you think would work best within your instruction and write your reflection in your notebook!

Next Steps

Unit 2: Integrating SEL into the ELA Block