Calming Areas Overview and Ideas

A Calming Area is a quiet area of the room equipped with soothing materials and furnishings to help a
student de-escalate and / or practice self-management when upset. This short document includes guidelines and photos.

TAGS classroom management teacher tool self management restorative practices classroom level

Chicago Student Code of Conduct (video)

This short video helps students and their families understand Chicago's student code of conduct and highlights the district's SEL-infused approach to student discipline.

TAGS alternatives to suspension restorative practices student discipline

Districts in Action – Promote SEL for Students

This brief spotlights SEL leaders in California, Virginia, and Texas as they share their stories about how their approach to promoting SEL for students took shape and integrated with stakeholder needs related to inclusion, discipline, and tiered supports.

TAGS restorative practices MTSS family and community engagement

Restorative Re-entry Toolkit

Chicago Public Schools' Restorative Re-entry Toolkit outlines how schools can welcome and support students returning to school after a serious incident or extended absence. Includes conversation protocols, sample communications, and a template for an individualized re-entry plan.

TAGS trauma MTSS student discipline

Social and Emotional Learning Practices: A Self-Reflection Tool for Afterschool Staff

Part of AIR's Beyond the Bell series, this tool aimed at out-of-school time staff includes reflections on social practices, program implementation practices, and personal SEL competencies, built upon the framework of 10 practices that promote social and emotional learning.

TAGS SEL partnerships reading lists - staff SEL competence implementation plan conducting local SEL research continuous improvement out of school professional learning

Self-Assessing Social and Emotional Instruction and Competencies: A Tool for Teachers

A tool for teachers to assess how they using SEL in their interactions and teaching practices, and a crosswalk between 10 teaching practices that promote SEL and the CLASS, Danielson, and Marzano teaching frameworks.

TAGS Adult SEL mindfulness lesson planning teacher tool social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making SEL competence teacher training continuous improvement PK-12 instructional practices classroom level building community student discipline

Teaching the Whole Child: Instructional Practices that Support Social-Emotional Learning in Three Teacher Evaluation Frameworks

This research brief describes 10 teaching practices that promote SEL, and highlights how these practices are promoted in the CLASS, Danielson, and Marzano teaching frameworks.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration classroom management english/language arts math social studies teacher evaluation lesson planning teacher tool relationship skills reading lists - staff SEL coaching for staff instructional practices classroom level culture and climate building community student discipline

Edutopia’s How Learning Happens Video Series

Videos that combine the science of brain development and real examples of practices explicitly designed to integrate social & emotional skills in classrooms and schoolwide settings, including trauma-informed practices, co-developed class norms, Socratic circles, makerspaces, student-led conferences and more.

TAGS PLC videos SEL competence student leadership research brief culturally responsive teacher training model SEL schools PK-12 instructional practices classroom level culture and climate building community professional learning building buy-in for SEL youth voice

SEL 3 Signature Practices introductory video – Adult SEL

Video describing the SEL 3 signature practices (welcoming inclusion activity, engaging practices, and optimistic closure) and how to use them in settings with adults, such as a meeting or professional learning.

TAGS PLC mindfulness three signature practices videos self awareness SEL coaching for staff building community professional learning district SEL expertise

SEL 3 Signature Practices introductory video – Classroom version

Video describing the SEL 3 Signature Practices (welcoming inclusion activity, engaging practices, and optimistic closure) and how to use them in a classroom setting.

TAGS three signature practices building community