Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), in its most simple terms, is education about feelings. SEL teaches kids to understand their own emotions and the emotions of others. These are critical life skills that foster better social and behavioral outcomes. Some of the most seamless incorporating SEL into lesson plans revolve around storytelling and music. Below, we will look at how storytelling in English Language Arts and Social Studies/History classes can be an accessible bridge to SEL. Additionally, we will look at how music can be a great support tool for these concepts.
English Language Arts
One of the most natural ways to incorporate SEL into lesson planning is through storytelling. Book discussions are one of my favorite things to incorporate into my lesson plans. Selecting books for students to read and discuss containing SEL themes is a natural fit. This is a great way to build relationships with your students, but it is also the perfect tool for teaching SEL in a social and sometimes emotional (depending on the book) environment.
Additionally, SEL can be incorporated into ELA lessons through journaling exercises. This is an excellent way for students to practice grammar and writing techniques while simultaneously managing stress and healthfully expressing their feelings. Allowing students to become their storyteller aids in understanding their feelings and the feelings of others.
Social Studies and History
Storytelling is also found in Social Studies and History classes. What is history, if not factual storytelling? Incorporating SEL into history classes can help students answer ‘why’ in history. Why was the Civil Rights Movement successful in getting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed? Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? All of these questions of ‘why’ can be answered through SEL.
We can also integrate SEL into Social Studies and History lessons by having students participate in empathy exercises. One of my favorite activities to do with students of all ages is to have them demonstrate what life was like for an individual or group of people. I will sometimes have them write a journal entry pretending to be a specific person. Other times, depending on the age and interests of the students, I will have them create a dramatic scene they can act out or film as a movie. These activities allow students to practice empathy by putting themselves in someone else’s shoes. They have to think critically about what life was like for someone else, including social interactions and emotional reactions, then translate that into a story they tell.
Music
Music is a beautiful teaching tool. It can be used to introduce new ideas and reinforce material already studied. Several educational songs are focused on SEL topics. Some of my favorites include The Ball is in Your Court and Follow Instructions, both by Blazer Fresh from Go Noodle. Brain breaks are a great way to help students focus. Implement SEL songs as your brain breaks periodically. Music does not have to be a big part of the lesson plan to be effective. Try incorporating SEL-themed songs into background music or during transition periods, for example, as a way to set a time limit for cleaning up before lunch. However you use these songs, they will become familiar to your students and serve as a good reminder of SEL topics already covered.
SEL teaches kids how to identify and understand emotions, not just for themselves but also for other people. It also teaches healthful ways of managing those emotions. Storytelling is a natural springboard into these concepts. Discussions about a book can foster relationships, and exercises in empathy stretch kids to see the world beyond themselves. If storytelling is the avenue for social-emotional learning, then music is the street sign, guiding students along the way. Both are excellent tools for incorporating SEL into your lesson plans.
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Hi! Thanks for reading this article. My name is Joanie Clarkson, and I am a guest writer from Schooltube. You can find more of my work at this link.
