What does SEEL look like in the classroom?

SEEL is designed to help teachers reach out to all of their students and work with each student’s individual needs. Today's teachers are faced with classroom problems related to increases in class size, diversity of learning style and needs, and varying levels of student performance. SEEL addresses all of these challenges by using a response to intervention (RTI) approach , which allows teachers to (1) instruct the entire class through large group sessions, (2) work with smaller groups to supplement instruction and increase review for those students who need more support, and (3) provide individual attention for students who have the greatest needs.

Large group setting

The entire class is involved with SEEL lessons. The teacher introduces the goals and targets of each lesson so that all of the students know what they will be learning. The class works together to practice the targets and participate in reinforcement activities.

Small group setting

SEEL accommodates students who have diverse learning styles, non-majority language backgrounds, or other individual struggles and challenges by extending activities, explanations, and practice in small groups. This setting allows more variety in presentations and activities and more turns per student for participation and conversation.

Individual students

Students who have diagnosed or potential learning disabilities or students who need more time to process information must have one-on-one time with their teacher in order to succeed. In all classrooms there are students who need extra help and support. SEEL scheduling and variety enable these needs to be met.

Transitions

Students are exposed to the literacy concepts and skills multiple times in multiple ways throughout the day so that the learning is reinforced. As students transition from one activity to another, novel ways of lining up, taking turns, or moving from one place to another can be linked to literacy targets. SEEL teaches between as well as within its lessons.

Provisions for students with disabilities

Federal law mandates education for all , in the environment that is judged least restrictive for each child. Thus increasing numbers of children with disabilities are being placed in general education classrooms. The SEEL lesson design enables adaptations to accommodate these students through its tiers of support from large group to small group to individual attention.

SEEL Implementation Plan »

Look at the SEEL scope and sequence , or visit the database of Activity Plans and other resources .

Downloads

: Flyer that teaches parents about SEEL and introduces parent involvement in the classroom (PDF, 504 KB)

: SEEL logo, website, email address, and a quote from Dr. Seuss printed on bookmarks, 3 per page (PDF, 2.1 MB)

: Flyer that discusses the importance of playfulness in early literacy instruction (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Alphabet_Bag.zip (18.83 KB)
: Example project designed to help teachers involve parents in collecting items for SEEL lessons (.zip, 20 KB)