SEL Book Volume 1 and 2

• Megan Harkness, Music Education, University of Delaware
• Autumn Capes, Music Education, University of Delaware
• Emily Bachl, Music Education, University of Delaware
• Gabriella Creighton, Music Education, University of Delaware

• Aimee Pearsall-Kramer, Music, University of Delaware

This project was a collaborative effort to create a book of original songs and classroom activities centered around Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for elementary music students in grades K–5. Under the guidance of Dr. Pearsall-Kramer, the team of undergraduate students worked together to compose songs that foster self-awareness, empathy, and emotional expression within students. These songs are paired with detailed activities for use in elementary general music classrooms, providing teachers with accessible tools to integrate SEL principles into their musical instruction. The team began the process by studying the five competencies of the SEL Framework as outlined by The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Afterwards, the team collaboratively composed and notated songs that aligned with each competency, before participating in weekly feedback sessions to refine and edit content written over the past year. Students also developed supplementary resources, such as worksheets, to aid teachers in implementing the songs and activities in their music classrooms. SEL songbook volume 1 has been completed and sent to be published and further edited at F-Flat Books. The team is now focusing on writing and creating songs with lesson plans for a second volume of the SEL songbook!  By developing this resource, the team aims to provide accessible, arts-integrated tools to promote SEL development in elementary music classrooms.