Moving Forward with SEL
A Digital Approach to SEL Strategies for the Classroom
Caty Carmendy
Caitlin Carmendy, NBCT
caitlincarmendy@mgsd.k12.nc.us
@Csquaredmath
Instructional Coach
Mooresville High School
Mooresville, NC
Erin Trahan
Erin Trahan, NBCT
@MrsTrahanMath
Math Teacher
Mooresville High School
Mooresville, NC
Session Overview
Learning Outcomes
- Facilitate an engagement activity that develops authentic, active learning experiences that foster student agency
- Build your bank of strategies with 3-5 new SEL Strategies
- Name 3 digital tools that can be used to facilitate SEL Strategies
Welcome & Inclusion
Name and Motion
Digital: Explain yourself using an animated motion like a GIF!
Four Corner Strategy
Four Corners Strategy
- Corner 1: Myth #1: Social-emotional learning only teaches kids about feelings.
- Corner 2: Myth #2: Social-emotional skills aren't as important as “hard skills.”
- Corner 3: Myth #3: Kids learn social-emotional skills automatically.
- Corner 4: Myth #4: There's only one way to teach SEL.
Pick which myth resonates with you the most and post a sticky note on the corresponding Jamboard about why you choose that corner. Click here to choose your corner.
Sentence, Phrase, Word Protocol
Look at the SEL Text
On your own or in your discussion group, review the text that you have read and each select your own:
- Sentence that was meaningful to you, that you felt captures a core idea of the text
- Phrase that moved, engaged, or provoked you
- Word that captured your attention or struck you as powerful
After you have finished:
- Share your sentence with the people around you
- Post your phrase on our PearDeck
- Post your word on our Answer Garden
Extension:
As a group discuss and record your choices. Begin each sharing with your words, then phrases, then sentences. Explain why you made the selections you did.
- What themes emerge?
- What implications or predictions can be drawn?
- Were there aspects of the text not captured in your choices?
Engagement
Digital Gallery Walk
The TAG Protocol:
T: Tell about one thing that stood out to you about the strategy
A: Ask one or more questions that will help you decide how to use this strategy
G: Give your opinion on the strategy or pros/cons of facilitating it digitally
Strategy 1: Saving the Last Word
- Read a text, watch a video, or look at an image/chart that pertains to the content and have participants note three ideas that particularly stood out to them.
- Ask participants to write each sentence/idea on the front of an index card. On the back of the card, ask them to write a few sentences explaining why they chose that quote (what it meant to them, reminded them of, how it connects to their own experience, etc.).
- Divide the participants into groups of three, identifying one person as A, one person as B, and one person as C.
- Invite the A participants to read one of their chosen quotations or ideas to their group. Then persons B and C discuss the offering while person A listens. (For example, What do they think it means? Why do they think these words/idea might be important? To whom?)
- After several minutes, ask Participant A to read the back of their card (or to explain why they picked the quotation or idea), thus having “the last word.”
This strategy can be adapted digitally through online discussion forums or tools or can also be facilitate in groups using a collaborative Docs or Slides like this example here.
Strategy 2: Pass it On
- Participants will fold a paper twice hamburger style (this will give you 4 squares on the front and 4 squares on the back)
- Participants will add one idea to one of the boxes about content they have learned
- When time is called, participants will rotate papers and "Pass it On"
- Participants will read what is on the paper and add something NEW to a different square
- Repeat the process until all squares are filled
This strategy can be adapted digitally through collaborative digital tools like Google Slides. Check out this digital Pass it On Google Slides example here.
Strategy 3: Give One, Get One
- Participants will write 3-5 key take-aways down from their notes. Participants will write each take-away on a different notecard
- Have participants find a partner. Every participant will give one of their cards away to their partner and explain what they wrote and why. Every participant will also get a new note card from their partner and listen to them explain their notecard. Participants will wait for the signal to move to a new partner
- The key is that participants have to listen enough to be prepared to explain what is on their partner's notecard in case that is the notecard that they give away to one of their next set of partners.
This strategy can be adapted digitally by using something like a Jamboard or Padlet. Have students write 3-5 key takeaways down with each being in a different column on Padlet. When students are finished making 1 post in each column, then have them go back through and write down one new idea that was not their idea from each column. They could also do a venn diagram where they compare and contrast their key takeaways compared to other key takeaways. Check out a sample padlet here.
Brain Break!
1,2,3 Clap
- Partner Up with your 6 O'Clock Partners
- Round 1: Alternate saying the numbers 1,2,3
- Round 2: replace the number “1” with a clap and then
- continue the number sequence “2-3" counted out loud (Clap-2-3, Clap-2-3, etc.). Say "Ta-Da" if you make a mistake
- Round 3:
- clap for “1,” replace the number “2” with a foot stomp, and say “3.” (Clap, stomp, 3; Clap, stomp, 3; etc.). Say "Tah Dah" together or fist bump when you make a mistake.
Team Quiz Hustle
Optimistic Closure
Suit Yourself
Activity Notes: Suit Yourself!
Pick a suit here.
Based on the suit of the card you received, reflect on the following:
- Hearts: Something from the heart. How did you feel? What did it mean to you?
- Clubs: Things that grew—new ideas, new thoughts, a new point of view.
- Diamonds: Gems that last forever. What are some of the gems of wisdom gathered from people or content?
- Spades: Used to dig in the garden. Generate conversation about planting new ideas or things participants dug up during class
Post your thoughts on our Jamboard
One Minute Accolade
This is a quick, meaningful way to bring closure and celebrate accomplishments. This is particularly useful when you feel as if you don't have as much time for an optimistic closure.
Activity Notes: One Minute Accolade
1.Think silently for a minute about ONE of the following questions:
- What is one thing you are excited about?
- What is one thing that worked well for you in this session?
Raise your hand when you have thought of one, and you are willing to share.
2. We will select one person to share. After that person shares, others are welcome to jump in and share their reflections.
3. When the timer goes off, listen as the person who is already speaking finishes. We will stop the activity.
Facilitation Note: It’s okay if not everyone who wanted to share had a turn this time.
With repeated opportunities, the group grows more fluent and also more comfortable with
silence between sharing. This closing activity can be used over and over without losing its
impact!