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Mini SEL Classroom Libraries

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Picture of our Social, Emotional Learning Classroom libraries.

Last spring, I applied for and was awarded a grant within the district whose parameters were basically that it have to do with bullying and/or SEL. Being a bibliophile, I jumped at the chance to get more books in the classrooms. I wrote the grant for getting a mini-SEL library for each classroom with books specific to the issues I see each grade level face most commonly/pervasively.

After we got the books (and oooed and ahhed over them extensively), we ordered some of our favorite book boxes for them, and consulted with our literacy coach. Our hope was that by including some standards-based discussion questions and writing prompts, we could garner additional investment from our teachers for the books usage. Then started the task of compiling (and sometimes creating) short extension activities for each book.

The end result was this:

Picture of our 3rd grade SEL books with their accompanying extension activites

Each
box included a handout with both standards based and counselor created
discussion questions and a handout briefly explaining activities the
teachers could use to reinforce the books’ lessons, as well as any
accompanying materials (task cards, master copy of worksheet, etc.

Classroom SEL library book examples of standard based and counselor based discussion question.Classroom SEL library book examples of standard based and counselor based discussion question

We introduced these to the teachers very early in the year…to mixed responses. A handful of teachers were excited, a handful were frustrated (our daily classroom’s schedule is maxed out and anything that appears “extra” is stressful for the teachers), and most were apathetic. While we were hoping for lots of joy, we also recognize that everything new has a learning curve, both for us and for the teachers. When we first started doing regular classroom lessons, we had push back, and now they’re usually jazzed for us to come in. Things take time to build, and a strong culture of SEL (and incorporating SEL into literacy!) is just in the growing and building stages still.

That said…about three or four months since introducing them…and we’ve gotten some GREAT feedback! The activities don’t seem to be being used, so in the future we won’t put time into them, but the books have been a huge hit. Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade in particular have been big fans.

Curious as to what books we selected for each grade?

Kindergarten 

Hands off, Harry book coverTattle Tongue book coverThe Recess Queen book cover

1st Grade

How Full is Your Bucket book cover

Clark the Shark book coverA Bug and a Wish book cover

2nd Grade

The Most Magnificent Thing book cover

Teamwork Isn't My Thing, and I Don't Like to Share! book CoverBeing Frank book cover

3rd Grade

But It's Not My Fault book cover

The Juice box Bully book coverThe Invisible Boy book cover

4th Grade

Just Kidding book cover

Coasting Casey book coverSimon's Hook book cover

8 Responses

  1. I would love to learn more about the discussion questions and activities! I can think of at least a few teachers who would be into this, and I think it's a great idea overall.

  2. Hi Sara, sorry it took me so long to respond! I'm just seeing this now. My email is nancymwang at me dot com. I would love the activities for: Recess Queen, Clark the Shark, the Most Magnificent Thing, the Invisible Boy, and Simon's Hook? I know that's a lot so if you can only do a few I totally understand. Thanks so much!

  3. Thank you so much! These all look so good and I've already used a couple with one class in particular. I think I found you through a FB group for school counselors – I have loved following your blog since then!

  4. Hi Sara! This is my first year as a counselor AND the first year the school has opened. I love this idea of resources for teacher, so they can pop in, grab, and go! I want teachers to feel empowered to take SEL into their own hands. Is there a place I can view and/or access the activities for each book? Thank you!

    1. Hello! Unfortunately, my computer hard drive crashed and so I only have fragments left of what I had originally given to teachers – I’m having a tough time locating all of them. I did later turn some of them into full lessons for the grade levels on my caseload, I’ll link them where they are in my shop here:
      https://shop.theresponsivecounselor.com/product/just-kidding-companion-lesson-and-activities/

      https://shop.theresponsivecounselor.com/product/upstander-anti-bullying-activities-for-juice-box-bully-or-dare/

      https://shop.theresponsivecounselor.com/product/the-invisible-boy-lesson-plan-for-upper-elementary/

      https://shop.theresponsivecounselor.com/product/but-its-not-my-fault-responsibility-and-problem-solving-lesson-plan/

      And here are a couple blog posts where I talk about some activities for a couple more:

      https://theresponsivecounselor.com/2013/10/simons-hook-lesson.html
      https://theresponsivecounselor.com/2016/10/the-invisible-boy-lesson-plan.html

      Best,
      Sara

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Hello, I’m Sara!

With 10 years of experience in
elementary school counseling,
I get to serve in a different way now
– by helping fellow counselors and
educators!

I value quality over quantity,
effective practices and resources,
and meeting the unique needs of all
our diverse learners.

Sara

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