Social Emotional Programs to Support Social Competencies in all students
"...recent research has demonstrated that high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs produce positive outcomes for students, including improved behavior, attitudes, and academic performance" (Durlak et al., 2011).
Commissioned by the Wallace Foundation, leading social emotional learning (SEL) and character education programs were analyzed by a research team at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Below are links to many of the programs. Please see Navigating Social and Emotional Learning from the Inside Out for detailed information on each program.
In school, lesson based programs:
4R's
- The 4Rs Program (Reading, Writing, Respect & Resolution) integrates social and emotional learning (SEL) and the language arts for pre-kindergarten to middle school.
Caring School Community (CSC)
- The CSC program is a K-6 grade program that focuses on building a classroom and school wide community while developing social emotional skills and competencies. This program utilizes cross-age buddies and promotes collaboration between home, school, and the community.
Character First
- The Character First program is designed for grades Pre-K-5 and provides comprehensive lessons that include activities, games, discussion, and projects. Lessons are designed around specific character traits such as attentiveness, compassion, determination, flexibility, loyalty, obedience, and many others.
Competent Kids Caring Communities (CKCC)
- The CKCC program is a school wide program designed for grades Pre-K-5 whose intent is to develop competent kids within the context of caring communities through building social-emotional competence and strengthening home-school partnerships. Weekly lessons use evidence-based instructional techniques that support and engage all types of learners.
I Can Problem Solve(ICPS)
- ICPS is a evidence based universal primary prevention program designed for students in grades Pre-K-6 to develop interpersonal cognitive problem-solving skills. Scripted lessons are designed to be delivered two to three times a week and include games, role-play, and puppet experiences. A complementary curriculum for families is available to teach and reinforce concepts taught at school.
Kansans Can Competency Framework
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Lesson bundles, including instructional activities and student workbooks with 20+ hours of instruction, designed for middle and high school students, are available to teach Assertiveness, Conflict Management, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Regulation. Aligned assessments to measure social-emotional growth are also provided.
Lions Quest
- Lions Quest is a K-12 social emotional learning program that focuses on character education, service learning, positive behavior, and drug, tobacco, and alcohol awareness. This curriculum includes comprehensive lessons, digital resources, a student journal, and resources to promote home-school collaboration. This program can be used weekly in classes, as a stand alone curriculum, as an after-school program, or as a drug, alcohol, and tobacco awareness program.
MindUp
- MindUp is a 15 lesson program for Pre-K to 8th grade students. Lesson topics include gratitude, mindfulness, and perspective taking. MindUp is based upon four strategic pillars: grounded in neuroscience; activated by mindful awareness; inspired by positive psychology; and a catalyst for social-emotional learning.
Mutt-I-Grees
- The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum includes lesson plans and strategies to actively engage students. This program promotes social and emotional competence, academic achievement, and awareness of the needs of shelter pets, also known as Mutt-i-grees. Lessons are organized around 5 themes: resiliency, self-awareness, social-awareness, problem-solving, and team building. Lessons have a dual focus on humans and animals.
Open Circle
- Open Circle provides a unique, evidence-based social and emotional learning program for grades K-5 aimed at: 1) proactively developing children’s skills for recognizing and managing emotions, empathy, positive relationships and problem solving, and 2) helping schools develop a community where students feel safe, cared for and engaged in learning. This curriculum is taught during 15 minute class meetings and aims to train everyone in the school community to model and reinforce prosocial behavior at both home and school.
PATHS
- The PATHS® curriculum is a comprehensive program for promoting emotional and social competencies and reducing aggression and behavior problems in elementary school-aged children while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom. This program is appropriate for grades Pre-K-5. Lessons, materials, and instructions are provided and are designed to be taught two or more times per week for at least 20-30 minutes each day.
Positive Action
- The Positive Action curriculum is designed for grades Pre-K-12. Seven units contain lessons on a variety of social competencies including problem-solving, goal setting, and conflict management.
Ruler
- RULER is an acronym that stands for Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing and Regulating emotions and is an evidence-based approach for integrating social and emotional learning into schools. A train-the-trainer model is used for this program; it is implemented over a three year period. Online training and support and follow up coaching is provided throughout the implementation process.
Second Step
- Based on developemental research, Second Step is an SEL program for students in early childhood to middle school. This program contains a program guide, lessons, online materials, resources to support families, and much more. Lesson topics include problem solving, self-regulation, empathy, learning skills, and many others. For sample materials click here and here.
Social Decision Making/Social Problem Solving: A Curriculum for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
- Focusing on self-awareness and self-control, this program for students in upper elementary school, middle school, and special education includes lessons, reproducibles, and assessments to teach a variety of skills to improve students' decision-making and problem-solving skills. Role-playing and cooperative learning strategies are utilized within this program. For grades K-1 curriculum click here.
Too Good for Violence Social Perspectives
- The promotion of character education and asset development are the core of this program for students in grades K-5. Lesson topics include anger management, problem-solving, conflict management, and many others. Lessons, assessments, posters, and resources to connect with families are included.
We have skills!
- We Have Skills! Social Skills for School Success is an 8 week social emotional learning curriculum for students grades K-3. Easy to teach lessons, videos, printable handouts, and posters are included with this program. Lesson topics including asking for help, getting along, listening, and following the rules.
In-school, non-curricular:
Conscious Discipline
- The Conscious Discipline program combines social emotional learning and classroom management best practices to support students of all ages. This program utilizes developmentally appropriate instructional methods that include skills practice, visual supports, and songs/chants. To explores some of their resources click here. For information on professional development, click here.
Good Behavior Game
- The Good Behavior Game is a classroom management system that teaches self-regulation, self-control, and self-management rather than using the traditional methods of consequences and control. By focusing on peace, productivity, health, and happiness (PAX) in the classroom, self-regulation is nurtured in order to improve attention and reduce impulsivity. For information on products and getting started click here.
Playworks
- Playworks takes a thoughtful approach to recess by focusing on safety, engagement, and empowerment. This approach not only improves the phycial health of students, but fosters the acquisition of important social competency skills such as problem-solving, conflict management, and many others. Professional training, coaching, and online resources are available. To explore some of the free online resources click here and here.
Responsive Classroom
- Responsive Classroom is an evidence based approach to teaching that focuses on the domains of engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness to help educators build a classroom community that promotes an academic mindset and social competence in all students. Workshops, on-site services, and online resources are available. To investigate their resources click here.
In virtual settings:
Integrating SEL in a Distance-Learning World
- Research baased practices for promoting social emotional learning in the classroom can be translated into distance learning environments as well. A concise list of resources.
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82 (1), 404-432.