{"id":10794,"date":"2023-02-07T12:36:40","date_gmt":"2023-02-07T07:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learn.toddleapp.com\/?post_type=blog_post&p=10794"},"modified":"2025-12-09T14:19:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:49:43","slug":"upper-primary-booklist-to-promote-social-and-emotional-learning-b","status":"publish","type":"blog_post","link":"https:\/\/www.toddleapp.com\/learn\/blog-post\/upper-primary-booklist-to-promote-social-and-emotional-learning-b\/","title":{"rendered":"Social and Emotional Learning Booklist: Grades 4-6<\/b>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Based on the<\/strong><\/em> original work<\/em><\/strong><\/a> of Maggie Hos-McGrane <\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As students step into the upper elementary grades, they have a fair understanding of their emotions and might also know of a few strategies to manage them, but it is important that we keep providing them with opportunities to continue to dive deeper, and explore questions around self-identity, personal values, and beliefs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is therefore important for us to engage students in thought-provoking and meaningful conversations around social and emotional learning. While most students in this age group are confident and competent readers, reading aloud gives us an opportunity to have these discussions to deepen thinking and encourage self-expression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our approach when creating this booklist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have used CASEL\u2019s core competencies framework<\/a> to create this booklist and have ensured that we include books that promote social and emotional learning through self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The booklist includes a variety of genres ranging from fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and biographies, and are meant to foster cultural awareness, empathy, international mindedness, and value relationships and friendships. Through the stories of characters in these books, we want to encourage students to talk about personal stories, family journeys, struggles with friendships, identity, and managing difficult emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading strategies for your classroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Author Michael Rosen<\/a> advocates that teachers should continue to read to their students well into their teens. When doing read-alouds with older primary children, the sessions can be made interactive, especially when the books are heavy with dialogue. The story can be narrated through a reader\u2019s theatre<\/strong> approach wherein students read scripts using character voice and expression. This makes it an immersive and engaging experience for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To comprehend challenging texts, consider organizing weekly book <\/strong>or literature circle<\/strong> discussions where students take on roles such as question asker, researcher, summarizer, connector, or reflector.  Since these are usually small group discussions, students can confidently present their ideas and thoughts about the book. Guided reading<\/strong>, where students are grouped according to their reading levels can also help students gain confidence in reading. An interest-based book club<\/strong> or assigning reading buddies<\/strong> is another effective way of using books as a segue into social and emotional learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using these books effectively to promote SEL in your classroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Talk it out:<\/strong> Have conversations about the read-aloud book. Use it as an opportunity to talk to your students about the importance of empathy, resilience, self and social awareness, and decision-making. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • Build empathy:<\/strong> Ask students to place themselves in the character’s shoes and think from their perspective. This will help students build empathy and understanding towards others. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      • What\u2019s the issue:<\/strong> Identify an issue that the students would like to focus on: For example, body image issues, bullying, etc. Use read-aloud books as a springboard to initiate difficult conversations. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • Theme team: <\/strong>Explore different themes related to social-emotional learning: For example, organize a self-awareness week and encourage students to read books specific to self-awareness. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          • Personal connect:<\/strong> Encourage students to reflect and share their thoughts and feelings after reading a book. Ask them to make connections to personal experiences and talk about them. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            We hope these booklists inspire your students to open up about how they feel, engage in meaningful discussions and reflections, and walk into their teens with confidence and courage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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            \n \"Tracking\n <\/div>\n

            Tracking Trash<\/p>\n

            By Loree Griffin Burns<\/p>\n

            \n Read more<\/span>\"\"\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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            \n \"One\n <\/div>\n

            One Hen<\/p>\n

            By Katie Smith Milway<\/p>\n

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            \n \"The\n <\/div>\n

            The Librarian of Basra<\/p>\n

            By Jeanette Winter<\/p>\n

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            \n \"A\n <\/div>\n

            A Day\u2019s Work<\/p>\n

            By Eve Bunting<\/p>\n

            \n Read more<\/span>\"\"\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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            Tracking Trash<\/p>\n

            This book focuses on the work of scientists who track the trash that is adrift in the oceans and the ecological problems it causes. It demonstrates the importance of gathering data to solve problems and of educating people about acting to conserve the environment. The book is full of photos, information and ideas for reducing ocean pollution.<\/div>\n

            By Loree Griffin Burns<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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            \n \"One\n <\/div>\n
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            One Hen<\/p>\n

            Based on a true story, the book tells the story of a boy from Ghana who has to leave school after his father dies to help support his family. Kojo has the idea of taking a loan from the village co-op to buy a hen, and by selling the eggs then earn enough money to buy more hens, pay his school fees and eventually purchase a farm.<\/div>\n

            By Katie Smith Milway<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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            \n \"The\n <\/div>\n
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            The Librarian of Basra<\/p>\n

            This is the story of a librarian in Iraq who decided to take matters into her own hands and move the books in her library to a safe place when she was refused help by the government. Coming up with creative solutions, she smuggled out over 3,000 priceless books and prevented them from being destroyed, showing that one person can make a difference in her community in order to preserve its history and culture.<\/div>\n

            By Jeanette Winter<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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            A Day\u2019s Work<\/p>\n

            Francisco helps his grandfather find work by lying that he is a gardener. His grandfather returns the next day to complete the job correctly. This story gives readers a valuable lesson on responsible decision-making and ethical behaviour.<\/div>\n

            By Eve Bunting<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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