There were no culturally relevant SEL programs to engage my students with. There is also a lack of SEL programming for High School students. I wanted to find a way to incorporate SEL skills with the genre of music the kids spend most of their time listening to.
Student participation levels increased when I used this method versus the standard SEL programs. The Socratic dialogues led to students being able to articulate their thoughts better and when there were discourses, it was done respectfully.
This article is only an introduction to the book and curriculum I wrote. It has been gaining traction as I have utilized it during guided practice with students and non-profit organizations. I have used the book to show future educators how to develop creative curricula. The goal is to become the first Black Owned SEL Firm.
First, you have to ingratiate yourself to the culture of your students. It is not Teacher vs Students, we have to have a good working relationship with each other. Connect the curriculum/assignment to things that are relevant or of interest to your students as there is always a way to connect the dots. You can contact David Spellmon for coaching, professional development, etc.
