Social-Emotional Learning has a lot of components that are built into it. CASEL is an organization that has done a tremendous amount of work around all of the different ways SEL comes into our lives. It can be overwhelming, so let me break it down for you as simply as possible. CASEL has five competencies of SEL.

CASEL Competency #1: Self-Awareness

Students learn about their own identities, emotions, personality traits, and character traits. We look at all of the different things that make us unique.

CASEL Competency #2: Self-Management

Students apply their knowledge of Self-Awareness and learn how to use self-control. This includes learning how to regulate their minds and bodies, and to be aware of how they perceive themselves and others.

CASEL Competency #3: Social Awareness

This competency addresses learning about other people. We spend time learning about the identities of our peers, how others behave and react, and how we can be a helpful force for other people.

CASEL Competency #4: Relationship Skills

The relationships competency gives guidance on how we can have relationships with one another, and what it means to be there for someone else. Students practice how to work with others in small groups in effective ways. Also, educators work with students on conflict management.

CASEL Competency #5: Responsible Decision Making

The 5th competency brings all of the other competencies into play. Students learn about decision making, critical thinking skills, and considering the ethics and morals of decisions. CASEL also covers how to explore new ways of thinking and/or new activities with an open mind.

Managing the Competencies

As stated above, CASEL is an amazing resource to use in your everyday classroom. But sometimes, we want quick and actionable things for our classroom. I’d love to be able to help!

Join the SELebration? Facebook Group!

This positive and resourceful group of educators are always sharing great tips, ideas, lessons, and more about using CASEL – and really any SEL competency – into their upper elementary classrooms. We’d love for you to become a part of the group! Just click the logo below!