New Resources Helping Educators and Families Empower Students With SEL

Social-Emotional Learning has never been more important. Right now, in the United States, 1 in 5 children are experiencing mental health challenges, like depression, behavioral problems, or anxiety. Yet, according to a 2013 report, fewer than one in four teachers say social-emotional learning (SEL) is implemented in their school on a programmatic, schoolwide basis. As COVID-19 accelerated the used of digital resources to support instruction, educators should turn to curated and vetted content to support SEL in any learning setting.

For 25 years, Wings for Kids – a nonprofit SEL leader – has been working with communities to integrate SEL into all aspects of life for students. Attuned to the needs of students across the country for decades, Wings for Kids connects the research about SEL to real-life experiences for communities. Soar with Wings: Social Emotional Skills for School & Life, an educational program from Wings for Kids, Discovery Education, and the Allstate Foundation, connects students to SEL today with no-cost content. As digital-first resources designed to ensure equity of access in education, educators are empowered to integrate social and emotional learning in the classroom and beyond. From classroom activities and digital lesson bundles to a virtual field trip and family resources, Soar with Wings helps K-5 grade educators teach and support the whole child. No matter where learning takes place, Soar with Wings promotes social-emotional learning.

These ready-to-use, standards-aligned activities are designed to build the social and emotional skills of elementary students. Get started in the classroom – virtual or in-person – with classroom activities for K-2 or 3-5 grade classes. Plus, each activity features a step-by-step guide and presentation slides. Brand new classroom activities include:

Who Am I? Who Are You?Students will explore the topics of Self-Awareness and Social Awareness as they are given opportunities to lead with their identity and develop a more positive sense of who they are.

Celebrating CommunityStudents will continue to explore the topics of Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, and Self-Management as they explore the communities they are a part of and the responsibilities they hold as community members.

Our Rights, Wants and NeedsStudents will continue to explore the topics of Responsible Decision-Making, Social Awareness, and Relationship Skills as they learn about the importance of humans’ rights, needs, and wants.

Take learning even further with family activities. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are key contributors to children soaring high! Help children build emotional and social skills that will strengthen them for a lifetime with these new, fun, easy-to-use activities:

Community ContributionsAs a family, observe, appreciate, and contribute to your community in a positive way! Families are tasked with exploring their community, brainstorming ways that they could give back and ultimately, working together to create a goal to make a difference in their community.

Who Are We?In this activity, your family will brainstorm what makes each person—as well as your whole family—unique. You will then create and share a poem that showcases your family identity!

More than two decades of research proves that SEL yields positive results for students, adults, and school communities. With resources from Soar with Wings, families and educators are empowered to support students SEL–regardless of the learning environment.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Discovery Education on 3blmedia.com