Research Foundation
CASEL Alignment
Becoming U SEL is built directly on the five core competencies defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning — the national standard for social-emotional learning (CASEL, 2020). Every lesson, worksheet, and routine maps to one or more of these competencies, and the alignment carries consistently from kindergarten through grade 12.
Self-Awareness
Recognizing emotions, values, strengths, and identity, and understanding how they shape behavior.
In Our Curriculum:
The Compass Check-In, emotional vocabulary, and values work.
Self-Management
Regulating emotions, managing stress, controlling impulses, and setting goals.
In Our Curriculum:
The BECOME Pathway, regulation toolkits, and the Notice → Name → Navigate routine.
Social Awareness
Taking others' perspectives, showing empathy, and appreciating diversity.
In Our Curriculum:
Perspective-taking, bias awareness, and belonging.
Relationship Skills
Communicating clearly, listening, cooperating, setting boundaries, and resolving conflict.
In Our Curriculum:
I-Messages, assertive communication, boundaries, and repair.
Responsible Decision-Making
Making constructive, ethical, and safe choices and weighing consequences.
In Our Curriculum:
Structured decision-making, digital citizenship, and ethical reasoning.
Beyond the Five Competencies
Beyond the five competencies, the curriculum reflects CASEL's emphasis on SEL as explicit, integrated, and developmentally sequenced instruction, and is organized to fit a tiered (MTSS) model — universal Tier 1 instruction for all students, with targeted and intensive supports layered in as needed. This mirrors the guidance issued by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Massachusetts DESE, n.d.).
Note: CASEL framework used for alignment; Becoming U Wellness is an independent organization and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.