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
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
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
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
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
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
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,…