Partnering with Maine schools to ensure that learning happens in spaces which affirm brilliance, empower success & excite curiosity.

FAQs

Do we have SEL specific Maine Learning Results/Standards?  Are they in development?

The Maine Department of Education does not have, nor are there current plans to develop SEL standards - Below Are Optional Examples Of Standards & Progressions Which Align With Maine’s Whole Student Philosophy

• California Competencies: Continuums For Early Elementary, Late Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adults, As Well As Links To Resources 
• Minnesota Benchmarks: Benchmarks For K-3, 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12 - This Document Includes Sample Activities & Related Academic Standards 

Our Interdisciplinary Instruction Team embeds social and emotional learning into traditional academic content. Additionally, applying strategies from Harvard's Project Zero's Thinking Routine Toolkit, will lead to infusing lessons with social and emotional learning.

Additionally, we offer the following guidance as you choose explicit SEL lessons.

Does the Maine DOE offer guidance on how to assess SEL?

The Collaborative For Academic And Social Emotional Learning (CASEL), does not recommend SEL assessment for accountability

• American Institutes For Research - Stop, Think, Act Toolkit For Assessment Tool Selection  

Does the Maine DOE recommend any specific SEL programs?

The Maine DOE does not recommend any specific SEL programs.  Our philosophy rests on: 

• Systematically teaching, modeling, and facilitating the application of social and emotional competencies in ways that allow students to apply them throughout their days
• Establishing safe, caring, and highly engaging learning environments involving peer and family initiatives and schoolwide community-building activities.

These two strategies are mutually reinforcing. Positive learning environments help students learn and further develop social-emotional competencies; meanwhile, classrooms, schools, and communities filled with socially and emotionally skilled students are more caring and safe. Weissberg, R. P., & Cascarino, J. (2013). Academic Learning + Social-Emotional Learning = National Priority. Phi Delta Kappan, 95(2), 8–13

Resources for Responding to Trauma

The Office Of School and Student Supports has compiled resources to support building leaders, and school staff, responding to traumatic national news.  

• Infographic with 5 things to keep in mind (2 pages, one for building leaders, one for staff) 1 min read
• Powerpoint with guidance on responding to students across grade levels - and a graphic of our nested model of response (also below) - Designed for 5 minute share. 
• More Resources (PDF) 

Communities of Practice

Connect with the Maine Department of Education and other colleagues from across Maine and beyond.

• Join our ListServ to stay up to date - A place to learn about new resources, and engagement opportunities
• Office Hours: Tuesdays we'll meet from 10-11am, join as you can and we'll talk about what surfaces.
• Professional Development: Thursdays we'll meet from 1:30-2:30pm, with a focused topic each week.
• Learn More and Register

Philosophy

The Casel 5 - Five broad, interrelated areas of competence in social emotional learning:

• An understanding of who you are, the richness and strengths you carry, your IDENTITY - Self-Awareness

• An understanding of your power, your capabilities, and your AGENCY - Self-Management

• An understanding of others, developing communities of BELONGING - Social Awareness

• An understanding of COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING - Relationship Skills

• An understanding of the power of asking, "What If?" CURIOSITY - Responsible Decision Making

• Read more about Casel 

Embedding Resources

• SEL4ME Maine's social and emotional learning platform - (Provide feedback here!)
• Slides From MSMA 10-28-22 for Professional Learning

• 2 Minute Talk - The Purpose of Black History Month

  Web Based Lessons:

  K-2 Suggested Sequence of SEL4ME  (PDF)
  
  3-5 Suggested Sequence SEL4ME_0.pdf (PDF)
  
  6-8 Suggested Sequence SEL4ME.pdf (PDF)
  
  9-12 Suggested Sequence SEL4ME.pdf (PDF)

  Downloadable Tools:

  Names Matter - Affirming Identity Infographic
  
  Conflict Resolution Tool

  Project Zero Toolbox - Thinking Routines

  SEL Across School Contexts:

  Names Matter - Affirming Identity - 4min Professional Learning

  Infographic On Learning Names (Download) created by the Maine DOE SEL Implementation Specialist

  CNBC - 11/20/22 Why Pronouncing Names Correctly Matters, What You Can Do About It

  Implementing SEL In Early Elementary Classrooms:

  2min Training & Conflict Resolution Tool From kindmind 

  KindMind Conflict Resolution Tool.pdf

  Implementing SEL Through Reading:

  Notice, Think, Wonder, Feel & Imagine - A Predictable Thinking Routine.jpg

  Assessing Reading Discussions For SEL.jpg

  Considering Awe

  Awe might be our most undervalued emotion.  Here's how to help children find it. - Washington Post 11/30/21