Social-Emotional Learning Resources

School library programs of resources and services support the school’s curriculum. They should also support social-emotional learning (SEL). Especially with the pandemic, the school community – both youth and adults – have experienced stress, which may linger for some time.

The California State Department of Education has realized the importance of SEL, and developed a social emotional learning statewide group. This group is open to classroom teachers, librarians, and instructional leaders to exchange ideas and resources focused on topics related to this unique subject-area. To join the group, and take advantage of their resources, register a free account at California Educators Together: https://www.caeducatorstogether.org/

Among the group’s resources is a monthly newsletter on SEL. The group has also identified and curated a collection of over a hundred online SEL resources that support the implementation of local SEL initiatives during the school day, in expanded learning environments, and in other youth-serving settings. CSLA’s Committee on Standards Integration, under the leadership of chair Lesley Farmer, contributed to this effort by evaluating potential resources and aiding in the development of the current website: https://www.caeducatorstogether.org/groups/social-emotional-learning-statewide-group

The site’s resources align with CASEL’s framework for SEL (https://casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CASEL-SEL-Framework-11.2020.pdf), and are tagged thematically by intent for easy access: Explicit SEL skills, SEL integration with academics, Adult SEL, SEL for families, Culture and climate, and organizational and systems. 

Resources are also classified by school-based themes: relationships, gratitude, inclusion, the arts, mental health, reflection and goal setting, and bullying/kindness. Each theme is then categorized by school level and adult target audience. Furthermore, each resource notes related resources to extend the knowledge base.

This brand new collection of vetted SEL resources is well timed as school library programs prepare for the fall. CSLA members are encouraged to join California Educators Together, and explore the SEL resource collection and newsletter as well as other statewide subject area groups; take advantage of the expertise and share these important materials with your own school community.