ABOUT SEALK
The purpose of this web site is to provide classroom teachers and parents with a resource to help select young children’s picture storybooks that can be used to encourage social, emotional, and academic learning. Developing the concept of Social , Emotional, and Academic Learning in Kindergarten (SEALK) has been an ongoing project of mine for the last fifteen years as a preschool and kindergarten teacher.
There are two important things to be aware of when looking at this site. First, this is an outline for a SEALK curriculum. There are many alternative ways to implement the information presented. Second, the biggest challenge will be to find the storybooks that I have listed. This site will be an ongoing process and I will be adding new books as time allows.
My intent is “to plant the seed”. To show the importance of SEALK. The books listed and the lesson plans presented are to be used as guides. They are a starting point and are intended to ignite the imagination and creativity of teachers and parents.
Thank you for your interest. Gary L. Stout.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The concept of SEL derives from the work of Goleman and others (Salovey and Mayer) on emotional intelligence. It generally refers to learning those skills involved in being self-confident and motivated, knowing what behaviors are expected, curbing impulses to misbehave, being able to wait, following directions, knowing how to ask for help, expressing needs, and getting along with others. In the school learning context, SEL is the process for integrating thinking, feeling and behavior to achieve important social tasks; meet personal and social needs; and develop the skills necessary to become a productive, contributing member of society.
Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning (SEAL)
The authors of “Building Academic Success On Social and Emotional Learning, What Does the Research Say?” conclude that following the extensive examination of the topic (SEL) reported in this book is that there is a growing body of scientifically based research supporting the strong impact that enhanced social and emotional behaviors can have on success in school and ultimately in life. Indeed, the research-based findings in the book are so solid that they emboldened us to introduce a new term, social, emotional, and academic learning, or SEAL. Our challenges now are to continue to develop the link between SEL interventions and academic achievement and to apply this knowledge more broadly to assist all children.
Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning in Kindergarten (SEALK)
SEALK is one way to help develop the link between social emotional learning (SEL) and academic achievement. The purpose of my SEALK curriculum is to use it as a guide for developing social, emotional, and academic learning (SEAL) using children’s literature through read alouds.
My SEALK curriculum is based on three classroom rules that could be used school wide as well as in the home or community.
- Keep your body safe.
- Keep your friends safe.
- Keep your space safe.
The material presented on this site is intended to be a curriculum guide for kindergarten. I have read all of the children’s books that I have posted. Most of the lesson plans have been tried in our classroom. By using appropriately leveled stories SEAL could be used at any grade level, including Preschool.
Kindergarten children need to develop specific social skills in order to prepare themselves for future success in school. As a classroom teacher, one of my challenges is to help young children develop these skills while at the same time addressing academic skills mandated by report cards, standards, and the proficiency requirements of No Child Left Behind.
High standards and high expectations are critical for all students. The problem is that too much classroom time is spent on academic learning and testing at the expense of children’s social and emotional development. The push for higher standards and the misguided and punitive nature of No Child Left Behind forces kindergarten teachers to implement a pushdown first grade curriculum. A pushdown curriculum that is not developmentally appropriate for all students and fails miserably in addressing the development of the whole child.
What I have learned over the years is that time is the classroom teacher’s most valuable asset. It is crucial for our children’s success that we make the best use of this limited and valuable time. Through read alouds, my SEALK curriculum contributes to the development of the whole child by focusing on social development and emotional development, while also addressing academic learning.
Teachers are given the overwhelming task of addressing the inappropriate demands placed on us by people that for the most part don’t have a clue as to what goes on in today’s classroom. If our only task was “teaching”, many more children would be “academically” successful. But teachers don’t have the luxury of having enough time to “teach” to every student’s potential. We wear many “hats” on a daily basis such as police officer, coach, child psychologist, social worker, nurse, arbitrator, friend, advisor, referee, as well as surrogate mom or dad, just to mention a few.
A typical kindergarten classroom is made up of very egocentric, emotionally complex individuals, each with his or her own degree of social or antisocial skills trying to find their fit within the school and classroom community. A teacher’s most important task is to help children accomplish this fit in accordance with their diverse cultural backgrounds. The only way this can be accomplished is by building positive, nurturing relationships with each child, which requires valuable time. Currently too much of this time is spent on academics and testing. One developmentally appropriate approach to filling each child’s needs is the use of a more balanced curriculum based on Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning (SEAL).
Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning in Kindergarten 
I thouroughly agree with the 3 rules that the SEALK curriculum is based on. It would definetely benefit all teachers if there was adequate time to do what is necessary to allow these precious children to reach their full potential at all levels. However, that would mean that teachers would have to stop wearing so many hats to accomplish just the job that is most important- “teaching”. Unfortunately with todays parenting skills it is very difficult to overcome the challenges that all teachers meet in their classrooms.
Until our precious children are taught to respect not only themselves but others we will continue to face many challenges in our classrooms and society.
Hello,
I am happy to tell you about a new teacher training text that integrates social emotional learning within established standards-based academic subjects. Surpassing Standards in the Elementary Classroom: Emotional Intelligence and Academic Achievement through Educational Drama (2009, Peter Lang Publishing) provides over 60 hours of literacy and social studies instruction through model lesson plans that empower social and emotional learning concepts. It talks about real classroom experiences that inspire teachers to take on this important work. You can take a look at Amazon.com or on the publishers website: http://www.peterlang.com/index.cfm?vID=310307&vLang=E&vHR=1&vUR=2&vUUR=1
Thanks!
Lee Chasen PhD – kidesteem@aol.com