Read the latest brief from Harmony SEL and Johns Hopkins University
Ever wonder how consistently implementing social and emotional learning (SEL) influences student outcomes as they learn and grow? Social and emotional development is a priority among educators and school leaders who may activate many strategies and supports, such as Harmony SEL, to reach their goals.
We want SEL practitioners and administrators to be successful, so we partnered with researchers at Johns Hopkins University to take an in-depth look at what Harmony schools experience when they use the program over time. By observing a group of Harmony Showcase Schools, researchers found out how principals, teachers, and students responded to Harmony in their first and second years of implementation. We found that teachers implemented the program more consistently and with improved implementation in their second year.
While putting a schoolwide program like Harmony into practice can be challenging, especially during the initial execution, the research in this study suggests that when schools sustain their implementation past the initial growing pains, they find even more benefits beyond the first year. Read the full research brief to learn how educators and students engaged with Harmony in both years one and two. Based on the findings, you will discover potential implications to take back to your setting to implement Harmony successfully.
Learn more at harmonysel.org and start implementing SEL with the
Harmony Online Learning Portal.
Read SEL Best Practices for School Leaders and Principals
Access the latest research-to-practice brief from Johns Hopkins University and Harmony SEL.
School leaders have a clear role to play in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) within their schools and with their out-of-school time partners. Many school leaders want to implement SEL but face key challenges when they attempt to integrate SEL programming into their school structure. Common challenges include lack of instructional time, inadequate implementation support, and limited common knowledge of SEL practices among teachers and support staff. We partnered with Johns Hopkins University to find research-based solutions and practices that school leaders and principals can activate for successful SEL integration and outcomes, particularly when schools and communities implement Harmony SEL.
Download our latest research-to-practice brief, full of best practices that support schoolwide implementation of SEL programs and practices.
This new research gives particular attention to strategies and research support related to Harmony, an evidence-based SEL program affiliated with National University, and to other approaches used by school leaders nationally, to promote effective implementation of SEL in their schools. This report builds on work presented in an earlier brief developed for classroom teachers (Reilly, Yoder, Ross, et al., 2021). Access the brief for teachers here.
Learn more at harmonysel.org and start implementing SEL with the
Harmony Online Learning Portal.
Harmony SEL And Johns Hopkins University Share SEL Best Practices
Harmony SEL And Johns Hopkins University Share SEL Best Practices
Download the latest research-to-practice brief on the components of effective SEL.
Now more than ever, educators want strategies to support the social and emotional needs of their students. However, it is not always clear where to start, or which active ingredients are needed for effective SEL programs. Fortunately, research demonstrates what classroom teachers need to understand about effective strategies that promote the social, emotional, and academic development of students.
In a new research-to-practice brief, researchers and practitioners from Johns Hopkins University and the Harmony SEL program explore what Harmony entails, its research base, and most critically, the best practices for implementing Harmony in contemporary classrooms.
Ready to enrich your learning community? Download the full article at no cost to inform SEL implementation in your classroom or district.
Do you want to bring Harmony to your school or district? Learn more on our website www.harmonysel.org and register for the Harmony Online Learning Portal to get started.
Master the Art of Social Emotional Learning at National University
Social emotional learning (SEL) helps students — both children and adults — better understand their thoughts and emotions to become more self-aware and to develop more empathy for others within their community and the world around them. When incorporated into daily learning through programs like Harmony SEL, students can learn skills like communication, problem solving, self-awareness, and more. These skills can lead to better academic performance, healthier peer relationships, and more positive behaviors both in and outside of the classroom — now and into the future.
As experts in the world of SEL, Inspire Programs supports educators nationwide with the latest information, research, and resources to keep social emotional skills top of mind and encourage whole-child education. Seeking to create positive change, Inspire Programs helps educators develop the social emotional skills for inspired teaching and effective classroom leadership.
The Sanford College of Education at National University — a partner institution of Inspire Programs — is a leader in social emotional learning, making classrooms inclusive and productive with tools and materials for teachers to implement in grades Pre-K-12. Now, National University is offering a new degree program designed to empower educators and administrators to continue to make transformative changes in their school communities — the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning.
This unique master’s program equips educators with research-based knowledge and skills in self-care, cognition, trauma, and the ability to create healthy environments and relationships that are culturally responsive, equitable, and supportive for the whole child. This deep dive into personal identity, culture, leadership, community, and programs provides an SEL foundation where positive school climates thrive.
By fostering a sense of empathy, self-awareness, and feelings of safety and inclusiveness in the classroom, SEL can have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Through this innovative master’s degree, educators can take concrete steps to develop their own social emotional skills, become more inspired and effective leaders, and transform the lives of students and communities nationwide.
Learn more about National University’s MA in SEL today.
Master the Art of Social Emotional Learning at National University
Social emotional learning (SEL) helps students — both children and adults — better understand their thoughts and emotions to become more self-aware and to develop more empathy for others within their community and the world around them. When incorporated into daily learning through programs like Harmony SEL, students can learn skills like communication, problem solving, self-awareness, and more. These skills can lead to better academic performance, healthier peer relationships, and more positive behaviors both in and outside of the classroom — now and into the future.
As experts in the world of SEL, Sanford Programs supports educators nationwide with the latest information, research, and resources to keep social emotional skills top of mind and encourage whole-child education. Seeking to create positive change, Sanford Programs helps educators develop the social emotional skills for inspired teaching and effective classroom leadership.
The Sanford College of Education at National University — a partner institution of Sanford Programs — is a leader in social emotional learning, making classrooms inclusive and productive with tools and materials for teachers to implement in grades Pre-K-12. Now, National University is offering a new degree program designed to empower educators and administrators to continue to make transformative changes in their school communities — the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning.
This unique master’s program equips educators with research-based knowledge and skills in self-care, cognition, trauma, and the ability to create healthy environments and relationships that are culturally responsive, equitable, and supportive for the whole child. This deep dive into personal identity, culture, leadership, community, and programs provides an SEL foundation where positive school climates thrive.
By fostering a sense of empathy, self-awareness, and feelings of safety and inclusiveness in the classroom, SEL can have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Through this innovative master’s degree, educators can take concrete steps to develop their own social emotional skills, become more inspired and effective leaders, and transform the lives of students and communities nationwide.
Learn more about National University’s MA in SEL today.
The 2020 STA Winners Share Their Distance Learning Stories
We are thrilled to celebrate and recognize all our Sanford Teacher Award Winners for exemplifying inspirational instruction in the classroom and remote learning settings. Over the past few months, educators across the country have worked tirelessly to provide engaging and inspirational distance learning to students. School closures and stay-at-home orders have emphasized how important educators and school resources are to the well-being of their students. Many teachers are implementing strategies like they are pilots building their own planes mid-flight. This sense of urgency has fueled creativity and compassion, and we are excited to share distance learning stories and strategies from some of the 2020 Sanford Teacher Award winners in their own words.
Melissa Collins
John P. Freeman Optional School
Memphis, Tennessee
Melissa Collins has developed a highly interactive remote learning experience for her students by connecting with another class outside their district and involving parents in everyday learning opportunities. She also honored students by getting their families involved for a surprise drive-by celebration to commemorate their promotion to the next grade. Read her story:
My class has collaborated with a New Jersey class and we have completed several projects together. We combined the pen pals to host a virtual cooking class with a real chef from Memphis. The students made a strawberry shortcake, turkey and cheese sandwich, and salad. Parents helped the students to create the meal as well. We completed a STEM project together. We created instruments out of recyclable items and played the instruments becoming One Band making One Sound. Also, my students have talked to STEM professionals for an entire week. We had a doctor discuss COVID-19, and I invited a psychologist to talk to students about their feelings and emotions.
Mary Wentland
Lakeland Union High School
Minocqua, Wisconsin
Throughout the school closure, Mary Wentland has made it a point to brighten the lives of her students and their families with check-in letters. She has creatively packaged this important communication in fun, lighthearted ways, like this delicious note wrapped in a popcorn box:
I was just “popping in” to say “Hi” to see how my students and their families are doing.
Alejandro Diasgranados
Aiton Elementary School
Washington, D.C.
Alejandro Diasgranados and his students have felt the heavy impacts of COVID-19 in their community. Facing a technology gap, Mr. Diasgranados’ school district distributed devices for completing online work and learning packets for families without internet access. Using all sorts of communication tools, including video chat and phone, he has stayed connected with students and created spaces for them to connect with each other. Read his story:
During a time like this I believe it’s important for students to still be able to engage in non-academic discussion and conversation with their classmates. I’ve provided them with a space to converse and provide support for each other much like we would during our Community Circles… Many students have lost loved ones, some parents have lost jobs, and others are working multiple jobs.
I’ve also been able to support them through the tragic incidents that took place with Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd. Providing students with social emotional support is critical during these times, so the majority of my conversations with students have been fun and lighthearted, similar to our classroom environment. We’ve made lunch together, talked about sports, music and video games, and they’ve also taught me a few new dances that they’ve learned.
Maggie Murphy
Piney Creek School
Piney Creek, North Carolina
Maggie Murphy is proud of the entire staff at Piney Creek School for stepping up to care for students and families in practical ways. Together, they are all doing their part to help the community stay healthy and connected even at a distance. Read her story:
Our staff has all taken turns during the weeks to ride the yellow school buses to deliver meals to our families in need. My teaching partner and I have begun a Book Mobile to safely deliver books around the county. We load them in the back of the car, open the hatch from the inside, let kids get hand sanitizer, and then choose a book, garden kit, journal, etc. It has been so fun!! Our K-2 teachers also sent out “Flat Stanley” versions of themselves to the students to go on adventures. SO many great things happening!
Michael Ginicola
Nichols Elementary School
Stratford, Connecticut
Michael Ginicola, creator of The Phys. Ed. Depot, has been helping students and their families stay active while sheltering at home with limited space. Read his story and watch the video of Mr. Ginicola’s Virtual Field Day:
I was really proud of running our first ever “virtual field day.” We saw wonderful results even as parents are struggling at home. We gave students a day off from other school content so they could focus on having fun at home with P.E. challenges. Being in a Title I school of 470 students, we never know what we’re going to get for engagement… so the results were overwhelming to me.
Watch the video highlights that the parents shared!
We are incredibly impressed by the 2020 Sanford Teacher Award winners as they demonstrate kindness and compassion while adapting to support the needs of our communities. It is an honor to share their stories. Check back with Inspire News as we continue to feature voices from the STA winners and their inspirational journeys.
Access the New Harmony Virtual Instruction Toolkit
Adapt SEL Lessons and Activities to the needs of your remote classroom.
Now more than ever our students need opportunities to feel connected, comfortable, and part of a positive community of learners. We celebrate the commitment educators like you have made to integrate Harmony SEL in your online classrooms. To help you support your students’ social emotional learning in this new setting, we have developed the Harmony Virtual Instruction Toolkit. This new toolkit is packed with digital resources and practical strategies that bring Harmony Everyday Practices to life for your students.
Our Harmony Virtual Instruction Toolkit includes suggestions to optimize the SEL instruction you have already been implementing in the classroom for an online learning environment. All the activities in the Online Learning Portal can be printed to PDF for easy sharing with parents and caregivers.
- Create virtual Harmony Goals that will foster a supportive community for your learners.
- Discover our favorite tips to enrich your Meet Up experience and encourage student participation.
- Try our Buddy Up recommendations to enhance your students’ sense of connection, motivation, and shared responsibility toward one another.
- You will love using our Buddy Time Sing-Along Song ideas to energize students and help them focus. Virtual dance party, anyone?
- Try multiple ways to engage your students and families with our Harmony storybooks.
- Take time to bond and celebrate with activities for “Harmony Spirit Days!” You don’t want to miss out on the fun.
You’ll find all of these excellent teacher-tested suggestions and more. Whether you are teaching in a synchronous, asynchronous, or blended-learning classroom, we hope our Harmony Virtual Instruction Toolkit becomes a valuable planning asset as you transition from this school year to the next.
Play Harmony Game Room on Android
Check out the latest mobile-friendly updates and activities!
We have big news about Harmony Game Room. You can now download the mobile app for Android devices from Google Play. Access all the fun on your phone or Chromebook at no cost. The app is also available for Apple devices from The App Store, so everyone can bring engaging SEL activities to life at home or in a blended-learning classroom.
What Else Is New for Harmony Game Room?
The newest additions to Harmony Game Room will boost inclusion and respect, foster moments of reflection, and develop relaxing habits through mindfulness for children and adults.
Commonalities Game: The digital version of this beloved Harmony game will help your students and children discover what they have in common with peers and family members while learning to embrace the differences that make us each unique.
Tick Talk: Make space for students to share and reflect on what they have learned with the new Tick Talk feature.
Relaxation Stations: Students and adults can reset, relax, and refocus with Relaxation Stations. Practice mindfulness with the latest activities, Breathe — a calming, animated breathing exercise — and the relaxing, distraction-busting Focus. More activities are coming soon!
Tokens: Unlock fun tokens for teachers, parents, and boys and girls while you learn with the Harmony Game Room. Keep an eye out for Z, our special friend from outer space!
How to Access Harmony Game Room
Harmony Game Room is available for iOS on iPad and iPhone and Android devices including Chromebook. Download the app for your mobile device at no cost.
What’s Coming Up from Harmony Game Room?
We have many more games and features in store for you and your students. If you have apps set to update automatically, you’ll be sure to get each new release as soon as it becomes available. You can also follow Harmony on Facebook and Twitter and check the Online Learning Portal for the latest updates. We love staying connected with you — share your experiences with us as you play!