George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Social and Emotional Learning

Find and share resources for creating a healthy school culture by helping students develop skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and make responsible decisions.

  • A De-escalation Exercise for Upset Students

    A simple technique that takes just a few minutes can help an agitated student regain the state of mind needed for learning.
    Daniel Vollrath

  • Making SEL Culturally Competent

    Teaching students about oppression and critical consciousness is a vital component of social-emotional learning.
    Scott Seider, Daren Graves

  • Why Inclusion Matters on the Playground

    When general education students and students with special needs play together, it breaks down unconscious biases about disability and fosters relationships.

  • Making Students Feel Safe

    A trauma-informed approach ensures that students feel safe, supported, and nurtured—to improve their chances of academic success. 

  • The Power of Relationships in Schools

    Research shows that students who feel safe and supported by adults at school are better able to learn.

  • 60-Second Strategy: Pom-Pom Jar

    Explicitly teaching and celebrating kindness is a simple yet powerful way to build a positive classroom culture.

  • 8 Proactive Classroom Management Tips

    New teachers—and experienced ones too—can find ideas here on how to stop disruptive behavior before it begins.
    Youki Terada

  • When Students Are Traumatized, Teachers Are Too

    Trauma in students’ lives takes an emotional and physical toll on teachers as well. Experts weigh in on the best ways to cope.
    Emelina Minero

  • A Daily Support System for Students

    Students who need extra social and emotional support have a quick check-in with an adult at the start and end of each day.

  • Time to Play: More State Laws Require Recess

    Unstructured playtime is making a comeback in schools as frustrated teachers, parents, and advocacy groups demand legislative action.
    Brittany Shammas

  • Bringing a Dog to School

    A veteran teacher and administrator makes the case for having a therapy dog in elementary school.
    Shari Feeney

  • Why Recess Should Never Be Withheld as Punishment

    Experts argue that recess is necessary for a child's social and academic development, and skipping it as punishment for misbehavior or to accommodate more seat time is a serious mistake.

  • How Sesame Street’s Muppets Became Revolutionaries

    Now celebrating its 50th year of broadcasting, Sesame Street remains committed to pushing the boundaries for social change.
    Stephen Merrill

  • The Power of Being Seen

    How well do you know your students? In a Nevada school, a simple strategy pushes teachers to look beyond the lessons.
    Holly Korbey

  • Making Sure Each Child Is Known

    A middle school in Nevada uses a simple strategy to build deeper connections between teachers and students.