Integrating Social-Emotional Learning into Music (Part 1) Shawna Longo Durban Avenue School, Hopatcong Borough Schools shawnalongo@gmail.com
“The relevant question is not if an arts practice will affect a social-emotional competency, but how that will happen and what arts educators can do to improve the odds that the impact is positive.” ~Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning Outcomes
With all that has been going on in our world throughout the past year, social and emotional learning (SEL) has never been more relevant and necessary within our classrooms. The integration of social and emotional learning with music (or, for that matter, any arts content) is a synergistic pairing. The term synergistic means the connecting of two or more parts that produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. When we integrate or connect social and emotional learning with music in our classes, we are able to impact our students more than either of those contents can do alone. What is social and emotional learning? SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to: • Understand and manage emotions, • Set and achieve positive goals, • Feel and show empathy for others, • Establish and maintain positive relationships, and • Make responsible decisions. You will notice that SEL not only applies to students but also adults. It is important to understand that if adults (teachers and administrators) are not comfortable with, understand, and intentionally practice and model SEL skills, they are less likely to effectively and successfully integrate activities within their classrooms (or buildings) that assist the students in practicing those skills and attitudes, as well as knowledge surrounding SEL. TEMPO
Self, Others, & Decisions According to CASEL, these five goals can be combined to create three areas of focus: SELF, OTHERS, and DECISIONS. Let’s break down these three areas and the competencies that lie within each. There are two competencies that fall under the SELF-category: Self-Awareness and SelfManagement. Self Awareness: • Identifying emotions • Linking thoughts and feelings • Integrating personal and social identities • Examining beliefs and biases • Self-confidence • Self-efficacy Self-Management: • Stress management and coping skills • Self-discipline • Self-motivation • Goal setting • Planning and organizational skills • Collective agency There are two competencies that fall under the OTHERS-category: Social Awareness and Relationship Skills. Social Awareness: • Perspective-taking • Empathy • Respect for others • Acknoledging diverse social norms • Recognizing situational demands and opportunities • Social interdependence 36
MARCH 2021
