A+SEL: History, Social Studies, and SEL in the Classroom

February 2022

A+SEL: History, Social Studies, and SEL in the Classroom

How do you embed SEL skills and mindfulness into a history and social studies classroom? There are many natural connections as students learn to respect different cultural norms and diversity, work with others, demonstrate civic responsibility, and be aware of their impact on others. In this issue, we explore what classrooms look and feel like when social and emotional learning is woven into academic learning—and how you can make SEL part of your next history or social studies lesson, no matter what grade you teach.

Articles in this Issue

Achieving Civic Competence With Social Studies and SEL image
February 2022

Achieving Civic Competence With Social Studies and SEL

By Emily Hemingway The National Council for the Social Studies defines social studies as “the integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence” (NCSS, 1994, vii).…

SEL in History Class: Social and Emotional Learning in Context image
February 2022

SEL in History Class: Social and Emotional Learning in Context

By Terrence McAllister and Sonny Kelly United States is currently rife with debate in a struggle to develop working definitions of terms such as “racism,” “patriotism,” “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion.”…

A+SEL in Action image
February 2022

A+SEL in Action

by Heather Young Middle School social studies covers several disciplines: history, citizenship and government, geography, and economics. As a Responsive Classroom practitioner and passionate believer in the whole-child approach to…

Leveraging Adult SEL to Increase Equity in the Classroom and School image
February 2022

Leveraging Adult SEL to Increase Equity in the Classroom and School

by Dr. Lora Hodges Schools serve as one of the big four social institutions—along with family, faith, and community—that shape our sense of self and others as well as our…

From Our SEL Field Notebook: Teaching Historical Empathy image
February 2022

From Our SEL Field Notebook: Teaching Historical Empathy

A Conversation With Dr. Sarah Brooks Learn why historical empathy can be an important learning outcome in the social studies classroom. Dr. Sarah Brooks of Millersville University describes her research…

Leading the Way image
February 2022

Leading the Way

We are following five school leaders as they lead their school communities through a year of rebuilding after the disruption of the past year and a half. While their schools,…