CSEL Social Studies

The greatest challenge for middle school social studies teachers is juggling rigorous content, pacing guides and challenging texts, while also addressing the literacy and language needs of ELs. Teachers are told what to teach and how to deliver lessons but receive scant guidance for adapting instruction for students who are developing literacy and language proficiency. 

This site will help teachers universally design instruction for all students. Drawing on CSEL’s WorldGen research, we share six adaptable instructional practices that fit into existing curricula and instruction. Teachers and instructional coaches will learn how to design social studies instruction that is rigorous, language-rich, and accessible for all students, including ELs.

Note:

Educators may use different terms to describe students who are learning English as an additional language, including multilingual learners, emergent bilingual learners, and English learners. Here, we use the term English learners (ELs), a federally recognized term, while recognizing and honoring students’ full linguistic and cultural strengths.