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Social and Emotional Learning and Mathematics

Teaching involves developing the whole child, not only as good mathematicians but as good people—friends, colleagues, innovators, and citizens. Problem-solving is not only a quantitative challenge but a human one. We can engage students in deeply understanding what resolving problems entails and what it feels like, which is satisfying for children and adults alike.

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice specify that students solve real-world and mathematical problems by working effectively with peers; formulating, communicating and critiquing arguments; and persevering through difficulty. As students internalize these mathematical practices, they engage interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, also known as social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies.

Here, you’ll find an explicit unpacking of the connections among the mathematical practices and SEL competencies, as well as supports for integrating them in your classroom instruction. These resources were created by panels of experts in mathematics education and in social and emotional learning, along with teams of educators serving as co-developers.