The Education of Character: Stoking Memory with Stones

In a video, students pick up an ordinary gray stone from a pile of similar-looking rocks, put it back, and then try to find it again. The exercise... »

How Do We Define and Measure 'Deeper Learning?'

The question goes to the heart of the research addressed in the report released this summer by the National Research Council of the National... »

CASEL Seeks Nominations for Next Edition of CASEL Guide

Following the release of our preschool and elementary edition, we're considering nominees for inclusion in the middle- and high-school edition of... »

Promoting the Development of Happy, Healthy, Caring Kids

Kiwanis suggests activities to promote the development of social and emotional skills, organized by competency: self-awareness, self-management,... »

UIC Psychology Department Seeks Assistant Professor

Preference will be given to candidates who conduct research on school programs to promote the social, emotional and academic learning of urban... »

The Education of Character: Your Brain in a Coke Bottle

MindUP includes an activity called the "amygdala shake-up," designed to help children understand the need for patience. »

Talking About Animals: Benefits for the Classroom and Society

Animal biologist and advocate Nicole Forsyth argues that talking about animals serves as "the perfect vehicle" to allow young students to practice... »

The Education of Character: Jumping Jacks for the Mind

MindUP, a program for social and emotional learning conceived by actor Goldie Hawn, incorporates exercise right into the classroom. Its purpose is... »

School Turnaround Learning Community

The resources for this group will link to several resources from the Safe and Supportive Schools website and will offer webinars, resources, and... »

Saving Education — and the Planet

"Ecoliterate: How Educators Are Cultivating Emotional, Social, and Ecological Intelligence" recognizes that several essential dimensions of our... »

Teaching Social and Emotional Skills in Schools

Research is showing that SEL is crucial to mitigating the social problems that inherently exist in schools and detract from learning. These... »

Guide Highlights Effective Social-Emotional Programs for PreK, Beyond

Authors of the 2013 CASEL Guide looked at dozens of programs, highlighting 23 that promote students' self-control, relationship-building and... »

Enhancing Preschool and Elementary Student Success

A new report from a University of Illinois at Chicago scholar identifies educational programs that are effective at building interpersonal skills... »

National Mix It Up at Lunch Day is Oct. 30. Get Started!

A national campaign launched by Teaching Tolerance a decade ago, Mix It Up at Lunch Day encourages students to identify, question and cross social... »

Why We Should Teach Mindfulness

Mindfulness, the practice of being present and in the moment, is easier for some people than for others. It's an important part of Goldie Hawn's... »

Is the Culture of Achievement Impairing Students' Moral Sense?

Channeling Paul Tough, Anthony Rebora worries that parents' all-consuming focus on their children's grades and test scores has left little room for... »

Why Schools Alone Can't Cure Poverty

Arthur H. Camins argues that to build up educational systems that are less vulnerable to poverty's effects, we must first ensure that teachers can... »

Teaching Control with a Cotton Ball

In a video, students develop skills for self-regulation by blowing a cotton ball across their palms. The goal is to regulate the puffs of air so... »

'School Is Awesome'

At Orr Elementary in Washington, D.C., students show school spirit while countering stereotypes. »

Paul Tough on the Obama Administration’s Missed Opportunity

Justin Snider spoke with Tough to get his take on college admissions, education reform, poverty and the Obama administration’s education agenda. »

Research Links 'Responsive' Teaching to Academic Gains

When teachers are diligent about using the Responsive Classroom teaching approach, learning improves, according to a new study. »

The Gates Foundation on the Purpose of K-12 Education

"Our goal is not only to educate the individual," Irvin Scott writes, "but also to build our ability to understand each other." »

The Social and Emotional Benefits of Being Weirdly Creative

David Markus, editorial director of Edutopia, reports on how arts integration helps kids connect and feel safe on the bumpy road to learning. »

Learning Is a Game at New Los Angeles School

Educators at PlayMaker focus on social and emotional learning, practical digital skills, collaboration and critical thinking. The school is funded... »

Ways to Stimulate Introverted Students in the Classroom

Edutopia blogger Tony Baldassaro argues that it is educators' responsibility to embrace introversion as a personal quality rather than a deficit —... »

Giving Social and Emotional Skills Their Due

"Frankly," educator Walt Gardner writes, "I'm surprised that the subject is now only in the limelight." »

Is Pretend Play Overrated?

A new study from the University of Virginia finds that pretend play is not as important to child development as researchers previously thought. »

Mister Rogers' Tiger Returns with SEL-Focused Show

“There was no doubt in my mind that the need was there,” says Joanne Byrd Rogers, wife of the late Fred Rogers. “They missed Mister Rogers’ values.” »

Game Presents Children with Ethical 'Quandary'

The game, developed partly by experts on social and emotional learning, encourages players to think ethically as they lead a human colony... »

An Interview with Paul Tough on Character and Schools

Larry Ferlazzo asked readers: Should we teach "character" in our schools? If so, what does it look like? If not, why not? Tough, whose new book hit shelves this month, responds. »

Recognizing the Parent Role in Character Education

Schools must recognize parents' place in developing their students' character, Malcolm Gauld writes. »

Nashville Schools Start New Year with Focus on SEL

Nashville is part of CASEL's Collaborating Districts Initiative. Assistant Superintendent Linda DePriest spoke with local media recently about the district's efforts to implement supports for social and emotional learning. »

WINGS for Kids Expands to Atlanta

The after-school SEL program started in South Carolina to help kids control their tempers and make good choices. It expanded last week to two schools in Atlanta. »

Activities to Build Social and Emotional Skills in Elementary Students

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Advice to Obama and Romney: 'Start Over' on Early-Childhood Education

Nancy Carlsson-Paige, an education professor and advocate, writes that "most classrooms for young kids today are driven by a myriad of developmentally inappropriate standards-based tests and checklists." »

Four Ways to Encourage Kindness in Students

Researchers have found that students who show kind, helpful behavior achieve greater academic success, have more friends, and develop better relationships with teachers. »

APA Recommendation: Pass Federal SEL Bill

The American Psychological Association has recommended that federal legislators include the Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act, supported by CASEL, in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. »

Social and Emotional Learning 'Is for Everyone'

Kim Wombles, an English instructor and mother of three children on the autism spectrum, writes that "social and emotional learning is not just for autistic and other neurodevelopmentally delayed individuals. It is for everyone." »

Why Try? SEL Program Helps Kids Find the Answer

The Why Try program uses solution-focused therapy, music and video to give children social and emotional skills that help them stay in school and make better life decisions. »

Back-to-School Tip: Create a No-Sarcasm Zone

In sarcasm, "there is an intentional contradiction between the literal meaning of the words and the social and emotional intent," educator Liz Manvell writes. It "is particularly hurtful when aimed at children who expect adults to speak the truth." »