Implementing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in Classrooms and Schools

This quick-reference guide from Marc Brackett, Ph.D., author of the best-selling book Permission To Feel, and his colleagues at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence provides K-12 educators with an evidence-based, easy-to-follow approach to implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) in classrooms and schools.

Research on the manifold benefits of SEL shows that students who received SEL in school had better outcomes on measures such as classroom behavior, academic achievement, anxiety and stress, and attitudes about themselves, others, and their school. But to be effective, SEL needs to be delivered through an approach that is comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, systemic, technologically relevant, and evidence based.

This guide introduces educators to just such an approach—the RULER approach. Developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and used in schools throughout the country, RULER uses the Mood Meter to help students and educators alike Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, and Regulate emotions. Use of this approach supports the entire school community in:

• Appreciating the value of emotions
• Creating and maintaining a positive school climate;
• Building emotional intelligence skills; and
• Ensuring that SEL principles are infused into the mission, vision, learning standards, and behavior support systems in schools.

The authors also identify ways teachers can use RULER to practice self-care to improve their own wellbeing and their ability to support their students.