Top 10 STEM Books that Connect with SEL
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Top 10 STEM books that Connect with SEL
What is social and emotional learning (SEL)?
Just like science, technology, engineering, and math, social and emotional learning (SEL) is a developmental process that teaches students the skills needed to be successful within the classroom and in everyday life beyond the school walls. SEL skills can be taught and have many common components that align with STEM education.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has shared their framework for SEL including:
Self-awareness
Self-management
Social awareness
Relationship skills, and
Responsible decision-making
We can incorporate SEL content into our classrooms through the programs we offer and the books that we read. Counselors, teachers, principals, and parents can work together to encourage development within these five components.
STEM and SEL are building blocks. When stacked together they can create a strong foundation for our students. The benefits of incorporating these two instructional areas exist for both students and for teachers. SEL isn’t something extra that we need to teach. It is the foundation on which we have been planning STEM learning all along!
Here are our top 10 STEM books that connect with SEL:
1. Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker
Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne Jones is the story of an owl, Lacey, who talked and talked. Lacey talked all day and all night until one day, she lost her voice. This unexpected disruption in her day made her realize just how much she was missing out on by talking too much and not listening enough.
2. The Bad Seed
The Bad Seed by Jory John is a humorous story of a sunflower seed who works hard to prove just how bad he truly is. He has a bad attitude, terrible temper, and no manners. He never listens, glares at everyone, and always cuts in line. Your students can read along to find out what made him this way and what eventually caused The Bad Seed’s change of heart.
3. Jabari Jumps
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall is the story of a young boy who did everything he could to prepare for jumping off of the diving board at the local swimming pool. When the time came to make the jump, Jabari was met with unexpected hesitance. Your students will process with Jabari as he finds his courage, remembers his preparation, and conquers his fears.
4. Clark the Shark
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale is the story of a joyful shark who loves his life and loves his school. There’s just one problem. Clark loves everything way too much. He’s a little too loud and a little too rough. Eventually, those around him stop wanting to spend time with him. Clark comes up with a plan to cool it down and it works! This SEL STEM read aloud will help your students focus on the importance of staying cool and being aware of the social situations going on around them.
5. The Day You Begin
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson is a colorful story that celebrates embracing your differences. Angelina notices many things about herself that are different, her hair, her skin, her clothes, but she learns to embrace who she is and share it will those around her. This read aloud incorporates SEL and STEM but also encourages students to have confidence in themselves and to celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
6. The Name Jar
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is the heartwarming story of Unhei, a young Korean girl, who is settling into her new school and neighborhood in America. She is feeling out of place and noticing many differences between herself and those around her. With the help of her classmates and a letter from her Grandmother, she remembers who she is. This story explores the topics of identity, differences, and cultural assimilation.
7. Coding to Kindness
Coding to Kindness by Valerie Sousa is about three friends who sometimes get into disagreements. As they navigate these sticky situations, this interactive picture book allows friends to use coding to find solutions.
In Coding to Kindness, the characters use the directions and sequence of their code to listen to each other, share with one another, and solve problems. Just like friendships, coding takes multiple steps before the code. Each step we take towards being kind to others helps to build our friendship with them.
8. Meesha Makes Friends
Making new friends can be hard! Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival is the story of Meesha, a young girl who loved making things. There was just one thing she found hard to make…friends.
9. A Chair for My Mother
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams is the story of what happens when a family and those who support them work together to meet a need. After a fire destroyed their family home, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother all work together to save for a new chair. This is a story of kindness, compassion, hard work, and dedication. This SEL read aloud will teach your students about generosity and helping others in need.
10. My Magic Breath
My Magic Breath (Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing) by Allison Taylor and Nick Ortner teaches how to find happiness through deep breathing. This colorful story explores different emotions and how to use your magic breath to manage your emotions.
SEL in the Elementary STEM Classroom
SEL is the process of acquiring and applying the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness needed for school, work, and life success.
Integrating SEL in our classrooms doesn’t have to be another thing that we add to our already packed schedules. SEL skills and strategies can be incorporated into the content we are already teaching. There are many connections between the goals of meaningful STEM learning and the tenets of social emotional development. There’s no better time than now to begin incorporating SEL skills in your elementary STEM lessons.
If you need more inspiration for incorporating SEL in your elementary STEM classroom, these SEL STEM read alouds are a part of a series of resources designed to follow the CASEL Framework for social-emotional learning. You can find the SEL STEM Mega Bundle here.
You can find the other individual SEL STEM bundles here:
Want more info and resources on SEL STEM? Get full access to this SEL STEM bundle and all of our future SEL STEM resources when you join the STEM Teachers Club Membership (best value)!
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