Teaching Kids to Thrive

For years research has pointed to an overwhelmingly positive correlation between social and emotional learning (SEL) and successful student performance. However, the recent push for the Common Core Curriculum, higher standards, Race to the Top, STEM, and other cognitively-based initiatives have crowded out the time, money, and resources for the implementation of SEL either school wide or even in individual classrooms. Common cries from teachers include, "I just dont have a single minute to devote to anything other than what is going to be on the test," or "If my administrator comes in here and sees us doing that `touchy-feely stuff, I will be in real trouble. " However, new research shows strong evidence that Americäs teachers embrace the ideas of SEL for promoting academic success, student engagement, cooperation, and other positive attributes as well as for acting to deter truancy, drug use, bullying, and violence. Teachers from all over the country have been asking us exactly how they should go about integrating SEL into their classrooms. This book is our response to that request.