Pre-Discussion: Begin by asking the group to think of a situation that made them feel a very strong emotion. Use the following questions to guide the discussion: Tell the group that you have a trick about breathing that a lot of people don’t know: even though we use our lungs to … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary and Middle School SEL Skill(s): Social Initiation Duration: 30 minutes Materials: Crayons, Markers, or Pencils Chart Paper Find Someone Who Printable Find Someone Who Lesson Instructions Prep: At the top of the chart paper write “Social Initiation: Meeting New People.” Hang it in a visible space … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: All SEL Skill(s): Communication, Empathy Duration: 35 minutes Materials: Charades for Kids Lesson Instructions Pre-Discussion: Begin by talking with the group about the importance of recognizing other people’s feelings. Explain that understanding how another person is feeling is called empathy, and when we express empathy toward other people, we … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary SEL Skill(s): Impulse Control Duration: 30 minutes Materials: Freeze Game Activity Instructions Begin by asking the group if they can think of a time when they were tempted to do something that they knew they should not do. Give the example of seeing a freshly baked … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary SEL Skill(s): Communication Duration: 30 minutes Materials: Communication poster Body Language Game Directions Post-Discussion: Once you’ve played a few rounds of verbal telephone and body language telephone, bring the group back together for a discussion. The main goal of this lesson is for students to recognize that we communicate … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary SEL Skill(s): Emotion Regulation Duration: Variable Materials: Calm Down Corner Directions Using the Calm Down Corner When students need a break to get their emotions in check, you can have them spend a few minutes in the cool down corner. Have them: Digital Cool Down Corner … Read more
Nonverbal communication activities are a great way to enhance critical social and emotional skills, including knowledge of voice inflection, facial expressions, and body language. In this activity, students will practice for a puppet show by reading scripts, and feeling words indicate what emotion should be conveyed while saying the line. Students … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary and Middle School SEL Skill(s): Communication, Empathy Duration: 30 minutes Materials: What Is That Cards Perspective Cards Perspective Taking Activity Instructions Prep: Print out or display on the board the What Is That and What Does This Remind You Of cards. Print one set of Perspective … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary SEL Skill(s): Emotion Regulation, Empathy Duration: 30 minutes Materials: Emotion words sorting printable Situations that cause different emotions worksheet Emotion Words Worksheet One Start the discussion by asking students the following questions: What’s the difference between being annoyed and being furious? Are there any other emotions … Read more
Recommended Grade Level: Elementary SEL Skill(s): Emotion Regulation Duration: 30 minuntes Materials: Circle of Control Worksheet Directions Prompt: Gather students and tell them that today they are going to talk about what it feels like when things are in or out of our control. Ask students to define control. Accept … Read more