The Open Circle Curriculum includes a comprehensive list of over 200 recommended children's books that relate to social and emotional learning. Educators, parents, and librarians can share and discuss these books with children, providing an opportunity for children to connect or empathize with story characters as they tackle problems. Download the Children's literature list (PDF).

Lunchtime Seminar:
On November 3, 2011 Peg Sawyer, B.S.Ed., a trainer and coach at Open Circle, spoke at a lunchtime seminar. She presented an overview of the field of social and emotional learning, and provided examples of literature that connect to some key developmental skill areas: self-awareness, self-management, empathy, dealing with conflict, and problem-solving.

Audio and visual files:

• View the presentation slides (PDF)
• Listen to the audio file (MP3)
• Download the list of recommended children's books (PDF)

Open Circle Library
To begin building your Open Circle library, download these lists by grade level (PDFs):

• Kindergarten
• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5

We also have special edition literature lists (PDFs):

• Adults at School
• Back to School
• Bullying and Teasing
• Characters with Disabilities
• Giving
• Intermediate Readers
• Connections to Math
• Connections to Science
• Seasons
• Specialists
• Sports
• Summer Reading
• Worrying
• Open Circle's Links to the Reading Street Curriculum