All Learning Is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and Beyond

by Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher (Contributor), Dominique Smith (Contributor)

While social and emotional learning (SEL) is most familiar as compartmentalized programs separate from academics, the truth is, all learning is social and emotional. What teachers say, the values we express, the materials and activities we choose, and the skills we prioritize all influence how students think, see themselves, and interact with content and with others. If you teach kids rather than standards, and if you want all kids to get what they need to thrive, Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Dominique Smith offer a a comprehensive, five-part model of SEL that's easy to integrate into everyday content instruction, no matter what subject or grade level you teach. You'll learn the hows and whys of

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, School, Professional Development, Teaching

ebook

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Nancy Frey, Ph.D., is an educator and Professor of Literacy in the Department of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University.
Shehas taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and is a teacher-leader at Health Sciences High and Middle College.

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Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that the primary goal of this book is the well-being of the whole child. Although many might consider SEL secondary to teaching, I think it really is at the core of what good educators do. I appreciated the examples, anecdotes, and practical suggestions for being intentional in my teaching. I was challenged by areas I struggle with personally in processing my emotions and encouraged by seeing some of the things I already practice recommended. This is a great read for any educator!

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me that education has moved away from actually educating the WHOLE child; instead, the focus is still on test scores and gaps. Teachers no longer have time to really be there for kids. Classrooms are too crowded; not enough admin on campus to support teachers fully. We hear "build relationships" and "bridge the gaps" and "meet the new state mandated tutoring requirements" but we are not told how, or even given time for all of this to happen. This book is filled with useful information, but it seems to me that you have to live in a dream world to make it all happen.

[Rebecca Seaborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as a text book goes it was a concise, easy read and that can't be said for a lot of text books!

I think that it is an interesting philosophy and I can see where I could apply the principles at home and at work. However, I think that is easier said than done.

[Heather Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one has been on my edu-TBR for too long, so when I got wind that our counseling staff and admin were cooking something up to meet the needs of students who have faced significant learning challenges this year, I knew it was time to read this one.

Frey, Fisher and Smith address each component of SEL and how to ensure that your school incorporates this learning into everyday lessons and overall curriculum and school community. I cannot wait to apply my learning to my school and see the impact it has on our students and staff.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a professional book club. In philosophy it makes sense. However, in an understaffed classroom in a post pandemic era, it is a bit impractical. Looking at the whole child as emotional being is important. Unfortunately, we cannot be everything to everyone. I felt burnout just reading it. Implementation it far more complicated than the philosophy suggests. There are very few ways that were presented that lead me to know how to implement it within a full classroom. Limited budgets and short staffing do not allow ideal teaching situations.

[Wanda Boyer M.C., Ph.D., RCC]

Thank you Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Dominique Smith for introducing a clear definition of Prosocial skills as “helping behaviors as well as sharing teamwork …that are proactive …[and] foundational [to] developing relationships with others” (Frey et al. 2019, p. 91). You clearly state that “prosocial behaviors are influenced by the expectations of others …[and are] sometimes referred to as normative behaviors , meaning they reflect societal norms-agreements about the right or… most desirable way to behave (Frey et al., 2019, p. 92). These prosocial behaviors can be clustered into three categories: “ sharing, helping, and teamwork” (Frey et al., 2019, p. 93). Finally, I valued your discussion of how teachers can create better relationships with students to support prosocial behaviors by promoting and modeling effective and validating communication skills, empathy to better understand the feelings of others, and safe ways to repair relationships when challenges arise. These skills are vital to humane human development.

[Jabiz Raisdana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical and simple book that lays out the value of promoting SEL in all parts of the curriculum beyond just in a stand alone SEL program.

Filled with resources, figures, charts, graphs and surveys this is a book that can help a staff design or rethink an SEL program. Well researched and cited, this book does not get bogged down in dense jargon, but uses an approachable and knowledgeable voice.

There is not much that is new or groundbreaking for a veteran teacher, but the brevity and simplicity are refreshing.

Lots of great reminders on how every person on campus should be working toward a holistic and robust SEL program.

Broken down into five sections: Identity and Agency, Emotional Regulation, Public Spirit, Social Skills and Cognitive Regulation this book offers insight and ideas on how to move every teachers and school forward.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me longer to finish this book than I expected. While the authors at times seemed to be really infatuated with Hattie's effect size data, it was full of good, solid work that truly needs to be done in schools today. Chapter 5 - Social Skills - was probably the most important chapter to me, and in my work I see this as being an area teachers need to learn more about, and students need more of. The suggestions for "circles" was especially powerful. Maybe it is just my pet peeve, but for some reason authors of educational and teaching books seem to be preoccupied with the word "that." If you go through this book and cross out the word "that" (the biggest junk word in our language) you will find the writing more concise, clear, and readable.

[Erin McDonnell-Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after hearing Dr. Smith speak at a local conference and I had hoped for more tangible ideas for implementation; however, I was disappointed. There are many good anecdotes throughout the chapters but I think this could be a difficult text to use with young teachers and\or current undergraduate teacher education students. I do not think they have enough pedagogy to understand some of the information that is being offered. I think the ideas are worthwhile and commendable, but I’m not sure if or how this could be used in undergraduate classes.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think is book is very important. As an educator, I do see that my kids definitely need help with their emotions and finding a healthy way to identify them and regulate them. But there was a lot of information and I found the last few chapters, though insightful and interesting, just a lot.
I did love the first couple of chapters and actually started to implement them in the classroom with a couple of my students and it really helped the classroom environment.

[A Canadian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great “What and why” but sorely lacking in “how” especially if you teach high school skill-based subjects. The appendix of literature at the back of the book is great for teachers who have literature as part of their curriculum.

[Cheri Bushue wiegman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything by Fisher and Frey is an easy read packed with good information. I loved the list of skills kids need to be successful but would also like more lessons or examples of how to teach these skills.

[Christina Hagmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Identifies and articulates important essential skills for social and emotional success in life. Not a lot of new info but some great reminders and identifiers.

[Jenn Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really practical guide for how to embed social emotional learning into the content you are already teaching. A must read for today's eductators.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to pick from a selection of professional development opportunities and I chose to read this book along with some of my coworkers. Meh! Nothing new or startling......just a reminder to remember that everyone has emotional issues that motivate them and that we need to be kind and listen to others. We also need to teach today's children social skills intentionally because not all of them come to us with these skills in place.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent introductory guide to social emotional learning for someone beginning at ground zero with practical suggestions on how to explicitly teach some skills. An easy read with little theory to work through.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a grant project aimed at integrating SEL into the AVID tutorial process. The authors provided great conceptual detail and practical inspiration through tool recommendations and relatable anecdotes. My copy is full of underlining and notes!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid and multifaceted introduction to social-emotional learning, with plenty of examples from actual schools. It provided plenty of interesting discussion and food for reflection for my teacher education students who are preparing to be elementary teachers.

[Jackalacka · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need more of this!

[Featherpen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. These authors provide solid insight into SEL and many practical tips for how to implement it in the classroom and in the school. It was a nice, quick read, as well.

[Beth Kopay · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some great recommendations on how to incorporate Social Emotional Learning in your classroom and school.

[Michael DeCaprio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good list of books for students I. The back

[Larina Warnock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful!