The year 2020 has brought many uncertainties to different facets of the world. The pandemic has moved us from a physically connected world to a digitally connected world. Changes have been made in government, businesses, and education. Powerful movements such as Black Lives Matter have inspired the world to be more diverse, inclusive, honest, empathetic, kind, and respectful to one another. 2020 has inspired us to be a better society, and raise a better society for the future, and this is where social-emotional learning (SEL) comes into play. In this article we discuss – How Peekapak aligns with CASEL, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.
What is Social Emotional Learning?
According to CASEL, “SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions”.
In other words, it is a form of learning that emphasizes the importance of good citizenship. It teaches students valuable social skills that are generally not taught in classrooms but is crucial for being a responsible and empathetic human being. It focuses on understanding emotions and decision making, rather than traditional forms of academics like mathematics or science.
What is CASEL?
CASEL is an acronym for Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. “(CASEL) is a trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL).” Their mission is to help make evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) an integral part of education from preschool through high school.
According to CASEL, SEL can be broken down into five core components: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Each of these components is focused on an essential aspect of social and emotional development.
To learn more about CASEL, click here
How Peekapak Aligns with CASEL
Here at Peekapak, we align with CASEL competencies in a very unique way. Rather than focus on each of the five components separately, we have adapted our units so that students can learn to draw from different components simultaneously in a simple, dynamic, and digestible manner. We offer 10 lessons per grade for PreK-5 and these lessons cover self-regulation, respect, gratitude, kindness, empathy, honesty, perseverance, teamwork, optimism, and courage. Each of these lessons aligns with different areas of CASEL’s 5 competency model and the relation is outlined within each lesson plan. Here is an example from our COVID-19 lesson plan:
Using Peekapak to Support SEL Development
Interested in using Peekapak to support SEL development of your students? Sign up for a FREE 14 day PRO trial here to gain access to Peekapak’s CASEL aligned resources for PK-8.
About Peekapak
Peekapak is committed to helping children become successful, compassionate, caring, and empathetic citizens of the world! How? By teaching children important social-emotional learning (SEL) skills so that topics like gratitude, perseverance, and respect become not just something they hear about, but a part of who they are.
We strive to accomplish this by creating a company and a curriculum that makes SEL fun, easy and seamless for teachers, parents and especially children, so that kids learn without even realizing it. Peekapak’s learning platform can be implemented in person, online or in hybrid teaching models, providing flexible solutions for all school districts.
