BLOGS > OCTOBER 15, 2020
BY ROBERTA STARCK
Whether you are teaching virtually, on-site or using a hybrid model, building a layer of social and emotional learning (SEL) into your classroom this year is crucial. SEL stitches threads of self-awareness and mindfulness into the daily interactions with your students and their caregivers. And those connections hold the most promise for a successful school year. Consider SEL as a primary goal for you and your students.
One of the words that has been buzzing around the field of education in recent months is isolation. Students are feeling disconnected and alone in quarantine. While this is impacting all students, special needs students can be the most affected by remote learning. It can be too loud, too stimulating and too hard to filter for these students. I heard that the state of Michigan issued funds for student mental health and provided learning resources for disadvantaged, special education, and ELL students. Recently, NBC television journalist Richard Engel connected with his viewers to explain the anxiety of his special needs son. He tells how therapies vanished with the pandemic.
How do we provide a remedy for isolation that has surfaced for so many? How do we create human touch and face-to-face learning while ensuring we stay safe during this time? Incorporating SEL can help!
Here are some tools and resources to incorporate SEL:
A focus on social and emotional learning is not only important for the students. Educators are going through a range of emotions every day as they battle technology, uncertainty of the school year, and feelings of isolation. This article from Edutopia provides some guidance from one educator to another.
You can find more ideas for SEL resources including book lists, classroom libraries and more on Titlewave®.
Roberta Starck
MEd Curriculum & Instruction & MLIS
I’ve been with Follett School Solutions for 13 years and create lists for school libraries all around the globe. My career spans twenty-four years as a teacher and librarian in elementary and middle school. Our Follett team meets weekly and virtually with trade and curriculum publishers so we can keep abreast of all the new print and digital resources coming out!
We're Book People: The Summer Reads That Made Us Readers
June 5, 2026
Maybe it was a rainy afternoon, a long road trip in the back of the minivan, or a reason to convince mom for a trip out of the house to the library. For most of us who found our way...
Read more
Bilingual STEAM Books Your Youngest Learners Will Love
May 29, 2026
STEAMWORKS from Charlesbridge is an engaging way to introduce young learners to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through story, character, and entertaining problem-solving. These books feature children of all backgrounds and abilities using scientific, mathematical, and creative thinking to solve everyday problems and...
Read more
Follett Content is now serving public libraries – here's what you need to know.
May 25, 2026
You may know Follett Content as a trusted partner for K-12 school libraries. But we’ve expanded our reach, and public libraries are at the center of that growth.If you’re a public librarian evaluating vendors, exploring options for adult book fulfillment,...
Read more
Graphic Novels Your Students Will Love from Annick Press
May 21, 2026
The intricately crafted worlds and dynamic characters of graphic novels capture the imagination of students of all ages, no matter where they are in their literary journey. These worlds foster deeper cultural understanding while the narratives hone critical thinking skills crucial to...
Read more
Best-Selling SEL Professional Development from Norton Books in Education
May 19, 2026
Cutting-edge research continues to confirm that teaching students social and emotional skills provides enduring behavioral and learning benefits for academic and lifelong success. These hands-on professional development titles from Norton provide school leaders and classroom teachers in Grades K-12 with SEL tools and strategies grounded...
Read more
The Adult Title Fulfillment Gap in Public Libraries – and What It Means for Collection Development
May 18, 2026
For decades, a major player in the public library space was one of the most relied-upon sources for adult print titles.When that leading library book vendor exited the public library distribution market, it created a gap that collections professionals are...
Read more