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In the spring of 2022, students and staff made the videos you will find on this page demonstrating what Social Emotional Learning (SEL) looks like in the Merrimack School District. We understand that skills for learning are developed across all settings, in school and outside of school. We also know that they are essential to supporting our Vision of a Learner!
The purpose of SEL is to create the optimal conditions for learning, and to collaborate with all stakeholders to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in school and life. Research demonstrates that students benefit when these skills are explicitly taught and integrated into a child's educational experience.
We use the research-based framework provided by the Collaborative for Academic and Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL) to guide our work. The competencies are in the middle of the framework, and the key settings where they are learned are represented by the blue rings. For a brief video explaining the model, click on the image below.
In the classroom, we think of SEL as a three-legged stool. We work to help kids feel a sense of safety and belonging. We teach kids strategies such as how to cope with disappointment, accept feedback, and solve problems. Finally, we help kids apply these skills during classroom and school-wide activities. You will see examples of this in the videos and photos below!
