Educating the Whole Student: Mindfulness & Social-Emotional Learning
(Grades K-12) / Semester Course
PDI Course Number: 105BXX / UCSD Course Number: EDUC40154
Course Description
Are you curious as to what social-emotional learning is and how it relates to teaching and learning? Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a process for learning essential life skills such as decision making, problem solving, effective communication, empathy, perseverance, and coping, just to name a few. This online course is designed for K-12 teachers who want to focus on the whole student by supporting social-emotional learning skills but may not know where to begin. Teachers will learn specific strategies for addressing students' social and emotional needs through such topics as mindfulness, resolving conflict, anti-bullying, and character education. Teachers will also learn about the role they play in nurturing students' self-efficacy, grit, compassion, gratitude, and positive attitudes as they work to help diverse groups of students manage their emotions and make good decisions. Teachers will also learn how to develop a strong school-family partnership. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from UC San Diego Extension. For detailed information on university credit, click here.
"I loved this course! I think it was one of the best PDI classes I have taken. I have so many ideas and strategies I want to try, and have a clear understanding of mindfulness and social-emotional learning." - Katherine Wang
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UC San Diego.
Summer semester courses must be completed by August 24th.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
- The Whole Student Approach to Learning
- Social and Emotional Learning: A Schoolwide Approach
- Minding Mindfulness
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography/Write an article reflection
- The Teacher's Role in the Whole Student Classroom
- Teaching the Intangibles
- Connecting SEL and Mindfulness Practices to the Classroom
- Assignment #2: Incorporate an intangible trait into a lesson plan
- Coaching Students to Manage Everyday Relationships
- Making the Right Choices
- Regulating and Resolving Conflict and Intense Emotions
- Assignment #3: Create problem-solving scenarios
- Dealing with Diversity
- Communication is Key
- Becoming Socially Aware
- Assignment #4: Develop a lesson plan for a social skill
- The Character Education Connection
- Using SEL to Prevent Bullying and Improve School Climate
- Nurturing Self-Efficacy
- Assignment #5: Create an activity that integrates social-emotional learning and character education
- Building and Supporting an Inclusive Classroom Community
- Responsive Classroom Approach and Social-Emotional Learning
- Establishing and Nurturing School-Family Partnerships
- Assignment #6: Share tips and strategies
- Assignment #7: Course Reflection

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