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Reading with Relevance

Reading with Relevance is a CASEL-certified SEL supplemental program.

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An engaged classroom scene where a teacher is standing before students, pointing to materials on the board, while students are seated at desks filled with books titled
An engaged classroom scene where a teacher is standing before students, pointing to materials on the board, while students are seated at desks filled with books titled

Seamlessly Integrate Social and Emotional Learning with Academic Instruction.

Reading with Relevance, a CASEL-certified SEL supplemental program, piques student interest in highly engaging social and emotional learning activities to develop crucial academic skills including reading fluency, comprehension, and critical thinking. Using culturally diverse novels to foster empathy, humanity, and citizenship, it turns learning barriers into the very tools that accelerate literacy.

Two students engaged in a lighthearted study session, with one person wearing a hoodie smiling as they look at their companion who is focused on writing.

A CASEL-certified SEL program

Reading with Relevance is built to teach the five research-based SEL competencies and integrates social/emotional development into every lesson.
A young, focused, medium skin toned student is actively engaged in reading

Beautifully complements core curricula

Teachers love the modular nature of the program; adopt one novel unit independently, supplement your ELA curriculum or after-school programs, or implement the entire grade 2–12 collection.
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Built around texts that speak to students

Diverse books are used as “mirrors and windows” allowing students to see themselves, their identities, and their cultures reflected in literature.
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Provides a platform to discuss different perspectives

Reading with Relevance guides students and teachers through the process of understanding diverse experiences of those whose lives and identities are different from their own.
The CASEL Framework that shows SEL in the center of concentric circles. The second circle has Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. The outer circles contain Classrooms (SEL Curriculum and Instruction), Schools (School-wide practices and policies), and Homes and Communities (Family and Community Partnerships).

Validated in expert reviews, in teacher practice, in adoptions, and with inspired students.

Reading with Relevance has been approved by the Center for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as an academically integrated SEL program — certifying the curriculum as a well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning program ready for broad dissemination to schools across the United States.

CASEL has been reviewing SEL programs for over a decade, through an increasingly rigorous selection process. “Reading with Relevance unites cultural responsiveness, academic instruction, and SEL. The collection itself is based around culturally relevant and diverse texts, creating ‘windows and mirrors’ where students have ample opportunities to learn about and reflect on their own lives and the lives of others. This promotes deep awareness of and respect for diversity along with opportunities to build self-awareness.” —The Center for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
Testimonials
I really like Reading with Relevance because I feel like I could relate to what I read. I’ve never really read any other books at school that let me see myself like that.
Eric, 11th Grade
Hayward, CA
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This is a teacher’s anti-burnout tool: a lifesaver for new teachers in the classroom, a game-changer for teachers working with challenging populations, and a force for re-invigorating veteran teachers.
Julia Ann Gillam
John Muir Charter Academy, San Francisco, CA
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Meet the Authors

Reading with Relevance was developed by a collective of progressive educators on a mission: to inspire relevant reading experiences, heartfelt conversations, and instructional breakthroughs in classrooms across the nation.

Lacy Asbill and Elana Metz are the Founding Directors of Moving Forward Institute, a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the academic, emotional, and life outcomes of historically underserved students. Since founding the organization in 2004, they have hired, trained and managed over 500 young adult educators, and have served more than 10,000 low-income, low-performing students in their community.

The two are now deeply passionate about sharing the tools and best practices they’ve developed with educators across the nation, scaling the positive impacts of their Reading with Relevance curriculum.

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