Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum

social emotional learning curriculum

Our Character Development and Leadership Curriculum is a leading social-emotional learning curriculum (SEL) for middle and high schools. We focus on 18 character strengths to help students understand their strengths and limitations. To teach each trait, we utilize a consistent set of 14 lessons to offer differentiated instruction that helps each student reach their full potential.

What is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Why is a Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Important?

A 2011 analysis of more than 200 school-based programs involving more than 270,000 kindergarten through high school students found that students who took part in SEL curricula saw an 11 percent increase in academic achievement when compared to students who didn’t participate. Contrasted with the control group who didn't participate in Social-Emotional Learning programs, SEL participants demonstrated significantly improved social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance.

18 Character Strengths: The Foundation of Our Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

Positive Attitude
Respect
Courage
Empathy
Service
Compassion

Preparation
Honesty
Appreciation
Gratitude
Loyalty
Leadership

Perseverance
Integrity
Composure
Tolerance
Responsibility
Character

What the Colors Mean

Red - Building a Strong Foundation of YOU: What Makes YOU Who YOU Are
Green - YOU in Relation to Other People: How YOU Interact with Other People
Blue - The Future YOU: The Person That YOU Want to Become


How Our Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Works

To help instill these 18 character strengths, our program provides 12 different SEL lessons per unit (216 lessons total). The goal is to encourage students to develop cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. Additionally, each of these lessons were created to align with the unique learning styles of all children. For example, each lesson focuses on a different learning style: small and large group discussion, lecture, reading, writing, video, verbal presentation, web, and behavioral.

(1) Definition/Quote Exercise (writing, large group discussion-based learning) (cognitive development)

(2) Ethical Dilemma (writing, large group discussion-based learning) (emotional development)

(3) Topic Lecture (lecture-based learning) (cognitive development)

(4) Character Movies (video-based learning) (emotional development)

(5) Role models chapters from textbook (reading-based learning) (cognitive development)

(6) Local Community Leader Presentations (lecture-based learning) (emotional development)

(7) Basic Skills (behavioral-based learning) (behavioral development)

(8) Leadership Principles (video, small group discussion-based learning) (emotional development)

(9) Leadership Exercises (behavioral-based learning) (emotional development)

(10) Online Blog Featuring Current Events (web-based learning) (emotional development)

(11) World Wide Web Assignment (web-based learning) (emotional development)

(12) Expository Writing Assignment (writing, verbal presentation-based learning) (cognitive development)

Each of the 18 units focuses on a particular topic area to encourage students to develop in all five key areas (a.k.a. The 5 SEL Core Competencies) that are recognized in the field of social-emotional learning, including (1) self-awareness, (2) self-management, (3) social awareness, (4) relationship skills and (5) responsible decision-making

Curriculum TopicSocial-Emotional Learning Competency
Choose Your Daily AttitudeSelf-Awareness
Developing Goals & PrioritiesSelf-Management
The Importance of EducationSelf-Management
Showing Respect to OthersResponsible Decision-Making
Building a Positive ReputationResponsible Decision-Making
Developing Personal ValuesSelf-Awareness
Handling Peer PressureRelationship Skills
The Importance of Role ModelsSocial Awareness
Managing Anger & AggressionSelf-Management
Positive Communication SkillsRelationship Skills
Expressing Gratitude to ParentsSocial Awareness
Cultural CompetenceSocial Awareness
Citizenship in the CommunityResponsible Decision-Making
Sustaining Long-term RelationshipsRelationship Skills
Employability & Workplace SkillsSelf-Management
Addressing Bullying at Your SchoolSocial Awareness
Becoming a Strong LeaderSelf-Awareness
Being a Strong Role ModelSelf-Awareness

Next steps

See What Teachers Say About the Curriculum
See What Students Say About the Curriculum

Order Online Classroom Curriculum

Students access all 252 lessons via our online platform

Order Online SEL Curriculum

Order Traditional Classroom Curriculum

Includes teacher binders, textbooks and workbooks

Order Traditional SEL Curriculum
We want to hear from you!

To receive more information on this program (pricing, samples of curriculum, samples of Role Models textbook, research reports, common core alignment) call Dr. Joe Hoedel (231) 938-4140, Email jhoedel@characterandleadership.com, call  or complete the form below.

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