Help Section | BYU McKay School of Education

Teachers

How will SEEL meet the needs of all my students?

SEEL was designed to include children reading above grade level or children struggling below, as well as those who are progressing as expected. SEEL lessons are designed to include appropriate support for students with a wide variety of strengths and challenges. Learn more.

My school will only let me use certain curriculum that is research based. Will SEEL meet that criterion?

Yes, SEEL is a research-based program.

Learn more.

My students do not describe me as “playful”. How can I implement SEEL?

SEEL is meant to help you use your personal strengths as a teacher for the benefit of your students. There is no right or wrong way to do SEEL.

How long will it take me to prepare a lesson?

The lessons are prepared for you. All you have to do is download the activity plan from the library and copy the necessary materials. Go to the Lesson Plan Library now.

How will SEEL allow me to involve parents at home and in the classroom?

SEEL incorporates an at-home component that allows parents to practice and reinforce what their children are learning at school. SEEL’s clearly written lessons make it easy for parents to support teachers in a variety of functions within the classroom. Learn more.

Can someone come to my school and train us on how to use the SEEL program?

To check the availability of professional development seminars in your area, send an email to seel@byu.edu.

Parents

I have never been a teacher. Will I be able to understand how to teach a SEEL lesson?

SEEL lessons are simple and straightforward, and you can apply them whether or not you have had years of training. Watch an example of a lesson being taught!

How do I know if SEEL is right for my child?

SEEL’s lessons are playful and fun, and they capture the attention of children differently than other reading approaches. Whether your child loves to read or would rather play games, this program will engage all types of learners. Learn more.

My child is struggling. does not appear to be interested in reading. How can I help him/her?

SEEL is designed specifically to meet this challenge. SEEL’s captivating activities help children learn by employing the work of childhood-play.

My child has a learning disability. How can I help him or her learn to read?

SEEL was initially designed for children with learning disabilities. Your child will need additional support, and SEEL activities provide help for these special needs.

General

Do I have to pay to get access to all of the SEEL materials?

No. SEEL is a service offered free of charge by the David O. McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please send your inquiry to seel@byu.edu.

For what grade level is SEEL meant to be used?

SEEL has pre-planned curriculum for the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade levels, but SEEL principles and lessons can be integrated at any age. See the curriculum.

What makes SEEL different from other literacy programs?

SEEL lessons are playful and meaningful to the students, giving them a reason to want to explore the targets they are learning and internalize the concepts being taught. Learn more.

Where can I find the materials?

All SEEL activity plans and their associated resources can be downloaded from the easy-to-use Lesson Plan Library, here on the Project SEEL website. Go there now.

What is a “target”?

A “target” refers to a specific item being learned. “Target texts” are passages (e.g., songs, poems, etc.) written to specifically teach a certain word ending, beginning sound, etc. “Target sounds” are specific sounds being taught.

What is RTI?

RTI stands for response to intervention, an approach to providing services and interventions to struggling learners at individualized levels of intensity. Learn more.