There are a wide variety of programs to support social and emotional learning (SEL). There is research that supports that schoolwide SEL can be very helpful for improving students outcomes. However, it sometimes can be difficult to identify approaches to match the needs of your students.
Image from Flickr Creative Commons https://flic.kr/p/cLNwAs
When looking for SEL programs, it is best to look for those that are supported by evidence that they will work in your setting. Is also important to think about the systems that need to be in place to support SEL practices. There are several resources that might be helpful to you.
Systems Come First. Without the systems to support your efforts (e.g., administrative support, leadership team), your efforts may fail. Embedding SEL within a schoolwide positive behavior support (PBS) approach is one very good way to ensure you have the systems in place to support your practices. Also, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL; http://www.casel.org) developed a useful tool called the CASEL Rubric for establishing systems to support your efforts. Never provide practices without the systems to support them or the data to evaluate them.
Consider Specific Practices. There are a variety of SEL related practices you might consider for your school.
Second Step. One approach that embeds SEL practices into a PBS like framework is Second Step. Within this approach, there are interventions for students ages 4-8 and and grades 6-8.
I’m Determined. Another great source for social and emotional related to skills (e.g., choice making, goal setting) is I’M Determined. This website provides tools, videos, and other examples of students who have learned to improve their social and emotional skills in their academic and personal lives.
Catalogs of SEL programs. CASEL provides master list of SEL programs it recommends as a center. These include pre-school and elementary approaches and and middle and high school related programs.
SEL Related Assessments. While there are other tools, the Institute for Educational Science suggests several technology delivered assessments to monitor student growth, including tools for social and emotional learning.
These are just a few resources, but I hope they help you to find connections for your SEL instruction. I would really value learning about any examples you have effective SEL approaches.