Social-emotional learning (SEL) involves understanding not only awareness of oneself but also awareness of the community. By incorporating current events into your lesson plan, you can help students succeed.

There are a few methods you can use to incorporate current events into your SEL lesson plans.

The Benefits of Using Current Events

You should consider incorporating current events into your SEL lesson plans for a few reasons. For one, students learn to build language they can use to speak about common issues. Second, they build a stronger sense of community with their peers. They also build empathy and listening skills.

Consider a Check-In Activity

One common way teachers incorporate current events into their lessons is by checking in with students daily or weekly about their feelings. You might ask students to hold up a picture that represents their feelings or perhaps use a board where students can display a feeling.

You can ask students if they want to share their feelings as well. This helps students build an understanding of themselves and others.

Anonymous Question Box

Some teachers post a box in the classroom where students are encouraged to put questions about current events, either personal or on a larger scale. Teachers can draw from the box and help answer the questions, perhaps drawing additional information from other students. This helps students discuss the issues that are most important to them.

Sharing Circle

A sharing circle provides a great opportunity for students to discuss the issues that bother them, perhaps at home or in the world. They can also share positive events. The goal of the circle is not to critique but rather to share, support, and listen.

The sharing circle offers a number of benefits, including the establishment of trust with other classmates. Additionally, students learn to share their feelings, even in vulnerable situations.

Cause and Effect

It is also a good idea to incorporate reading comprehension into your current events lessons. You can cut out appropriate news stories from newspapers and ask students to choose a story. After students read the story, ask them to identify either a timeline of events or the cause and effect of the situation.

Check Out Other SEL Lesson Plan Ideas

Are you excited about teaching social-emotional concepts in the classroom? If so, current events are a great way to do it. As such, look into SEL lesson plans. SEL lesson plan ideas can help you begin exploring new concepts in your class.