Social-emotional activities have never been more important for younger kids.
Are you on the lookout for engaging and fun ways to foster social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in your students? Well, you're in the right place! Whether you're a seasoned teacher or a fresh-faced educator, I've included a treasure trove of games that will transform your classroom into a hub of self-awareness, self-management, relationship building, social awareness, and responsible decision-making. These games are not only a breeze to implement, but are sure to have your students begging for more. These activities aren't just about learning; they're about making SEL skills an integral part of your classroom culture. So, let the games begin! Self-Awareness: Game 1: Empathy Chairs This game is similar to musical chairs, but it has a social-emotional learning twist. Start the music as students rotate around a circle of chairs with emotion cards on the seats. When the music stops, they'll need to grab a seat. Based on the card at their seats, students will share experiences that they have had related to that emotion. For ready-made cards and detailed directions, click here. Game 2: Feelings Charades Get ready to break the ice with a classic game of charades, but with a twist! Instead of acting out movie titles or animals, students will express various emotions using only their facial expressions and body language. This not only hones their emotional awareness but also creates a safe space for open communication about feelings. Game 3: Emotion Journaling Equip your students with journals and encourage them to express their daily emotions through words, drawings, or a combination of both. This simple yet effective exercise fosters self-awareness by helping students identify and reflect on their emotions. Bonus: It's a fantastic tool for tracking emotional trends over time. Find my favorite journal prompts for building self-awareness here. Self-Management: Game 4: Mindful Minute Challenge Kick off each class or session with a mindful minute challenge. Set a timer for 60 seconds and guide students through a brief mindfulness exercise, such as deep breathing or visualization. This routine cultivates self-management skills by teaching students to center themselves, promoting focus and emotional regulation. You can also practice mindfulness with these FREE finger labyrinths. Game 5: Goal-Setting Bingo Turn goal-setting into a game! Create bingo cards with various self-management goals (e.g., completing homework on time, staying organized, managing time effectively). As students achieve each goal, they mark it off their bingo card. The first to get a bingo enjoys a small reward. It's a playful way to instill discipline and responsibility. Or turn goal-setting into a group bulletin board. Grab the FREE goal-setting materials here. Game 6: Popcorn Game Play a game called "Popcorn." Have students get into a circle. Explain that the goal is for them to each take a turn popping into the air and clapping at the same time. The only catch is that they must go in a random order. If they "pop" up at the same time as a classmate, they should all start again. This is great way to promote impulse control. Grab detailed directions to play this game and four others here. Relationship Skills: Game 7: Collaborative Storytelling Fuel creativity and teamwork by having students work together to create a story. Each student contributes a sentence, building on the narrative created by their peers. This not only strengthens relationships but also enhances communication and cooperation skills. Plus, it's a blast to see where the story takes unexpected twists and turns! (These reading passages based on SEL learning skills are fun, too!) Game 8: Group Challenges Help students develop their relationship skills as they complete a series of fun challenges as a team. Have teams of students work together to solve 5 different challenges that focus on teamwork, collaboration, and leveraging individual strengths to emphasize the power of working together. Make planning these challenges easy with these ready-made stations. Game 9: Peer Appreciation Circle Form a circle and have students take turns expressing appreciation for the person on their right. This simple yet powerful exercise builds positive relationships within the class and reinforces the importance of acknowledging each other's strengths and contributions. Social Awareness: Game 10: Perspective Puzzles Print or draw pictures of various situations and scenarios. Have students work in pairs to discuss and understand the emotions and perspectives of the people in the pictures. This game sharpens social awareness by encouraging students to consider different viewpoints and practice empathy. I've created a set of cards for this game here. Game 11: Community Connections Scavenger Hunt Create a list of community-related items or tasks that students can complete outside of the classroom, fostering a sense of connection to the broader community. This activity enhances social awareness by encouraging students to explore and appreciate the world beyond their immediate surroundings. Responsible Decision-Making: Game 12: Decision Dilemmas Present students with real-life scenarios that require responsible decision-making. Engage them in thoughtful discussions about the potential outcomes of each choice. This game equips students with the skills to analyze situations, consider consequences, and make informed decisions—a crucial aspect of responsible decision-making. Need some scenario cards to share with students? Grab them here. Game 13: Consequence Connect Four Create a Connect Four game board with spaces featuring different consequences of actions. As students play, discuss the potential outcomes associated with each move. This visually engaging activity reinforces the concept that every decision has consequences and helps students develop a sense of responsibility. Game 14: Decision Making Prompts Get students thinking about how they might respond to situations with targeted writing prompts. Share prompts that challenges students to make a decision. Then, give them opportunity to write how they might respond. Let students share their responses with peers or small groups. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- And there you have it, a bunch of games designed to infuse your classroom with social-emotional learning! These activities are not just about learning; they're about creating an environment where students flourish emotionally, socially, and academically. So, why wait? Dive into the world of SEL games and watch your students grow into self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and socially adept individuals. Your classroom is about to become the epicenter of SEL success—game on! Wishing you lots of fun in your classroom, Mary Beth P.S. Find 15 MORE social-emotional learning activities HERE.
Skills Building: I Am Enough (PK-2) Written by Grace Byers and Illustrated by Keturah A. BoboTEKS: Reading K.5(E); 1.6(E); 2.6(E); 3.6(E); 4.6(E); 5.6(E)Pre Reading QuestionsHave you ever felt like you weren’t good enough or felt bad about yourself?Is there anything you can do to make yourself feel better when you think this way?Think of one
Comment occuper les enfants avec de la peinture au gros sel
This spring is presenting new challenges for teachers all across the country. Some of us are getting ready to go back to the classroom for the first time this year. Some of us have been in person all year, but we are about to get new virtual kids. Some of you have been in the ... Read More about Classroom Management and Expectations
The activities below are available for free download, and are to be used in educational and/or private settings. They may not be used elsewhere or for other purposes (such as for profit) unless exp…
I love starting the school year with this activity. It’s easy, parents love it, and it immediately gives the children a little boost of self-esteem by identifying a part of themselves that they like…
30 social-emotional learning strategies for middle school kids to boost confidence and strengthen SEL skills students need for success.
A la recherche d'autres façons de peindre avec les enfants ? Découvrez la technique de l'encre et du gros sel, pour des peintures originales et amusantes.
Comment occuper les enfants avec de la peinture au gros sel
Immer schön abwechselnd versuche ich uns ein helleres und ein vollkornlastigeres Brot zu backen. Dieses von Marlene habe ich schon öfters gebacken. Die dunkeln Brote, die es selbst für viel Geld in Frankreich nicht zu kaufen gibt, waren der Grund, weshalb ich mit dem Brotbacken begonnen habe. Das Interesse, wie sich Luft in großen und kleinen Blasen im Teig vergnügt, kam erst später. Dieses Roggen-Vollkornbrot erinnert mich ein wenig an eines meiner Lieblingsbrote aus meiner ehemaligen Heimat, welches fast schon Richtung Pumpernikel ging. Pumpernikel zuhause zu backen mit einem Elektro-Ofen halte ich für Energieverschwendung. Und solch ein reines Roggenbrot erfüllt bereits all meine Gelüste nach ganzem Korn. Hier schlage ich das Korn nur an, wie ich es von einem anderen Brot von Marlene kenne. Dadurch wird das Brot schön kernig. Zusätzlich machen es die vielen Sonnenblumenkerne knackig. Ich muß wohl nicht erwähnen, dass eine Scheibe dieses Brotes besonders gut mit Butter schmeckt. Früher, damals, einst, vor aller Küchenaffinität konnte das (oft kombiniert mit einem Fertigsalat) eine ganze Mahlzeit sein. Heute genieße ich es, jeden Morgen Zeit für ein Stück Brot zu haben, für ein gemeinsames Frühstück, ohne dass die Uhr drückt - Wochenendluxus jeden Tag. Ein großer Vorteil der Selbständigkeit. Zutaten: Sauerteig: Stehzeit ca. 16 - 18 Std. – ca. 28° fallend auf 26° 180 g Roggenschrot sehr grob 200 ml Wasser ca. 20 - 40 g Anstellgut Quellstück: Stehzeit 3 -5 Std. 225 g Sonnenblumenkerne geröstet 100 g Wasser ca. 20° Brühstück: Stehzeit ca. 4 - 5 Std. 130 g Roggenschrot sehr grob (m: hintere linke Ecke der Getreidemühle, also nur angeschlagen) 10 g Salz 140 g Wasser heiß ca. 90° Brotteig: Sauerteig Quellstück Brühstück 140 g Roggenmehl 1150 20 g Rübensirup od. Honig 5 g Hefe evtl. noch etwas (wenig) Wasser falls der Teig zu fest sein sollte Zubereitung: Alle Zutaten incl. ST, Quellstück und Brühstück zur einem Teig verkneten 15 Min. langsam kneten/vermischen – 10 Min. Teigruhe – 5 Min. langsam kneten - ca. 40 Min Teigruhe - Teigtemperatur von 30° wäre ideal. Teig grob zusammenschlagen und in Roggenschrot wälzen und mit dem Schluss nach unten in eine gefettete Kastenform (1 kg) legen - Teigoberfläche befeuchten. Gehzeit: ca. 60 Min. abgedeckt. Der grobe Schrotteig geht nicht so sehr auf wie ein Teig mit Typenmehl, wenn die Form knapp voll ist, sollte die volle Gare erreicht sein. Backen: Teigoberfläche vor dem Backen mit Wasser befeuchten, evtl. einschneiden oder stippen bei voller Gare im vorgeheizten Ofen bei 240° auf ca. 190° fallend mit Schwaden backen nach ca. 6 Min. Ofentüre kurz öffnen und Schwaden ablassen. Etwa 15 Min. vor Backende kann man das Brot aus der Form nehmen und ohne Form fertig backen. Backzeit gesamt: ca. 60 Min. - nach Backende noch ca. 10 Min. im ausgeschalteten Ofen belassen. Quelle: Marlene - Moderatorin des ST-Forums
When I start the new school year, I pick a book of the day for the first two weeks. I create a variety of activities to go with each book. I use a lot of books that focus on social and emotional learning, including kindness, friendship, and respect. But, I also add in some fun ... Read More about 8 Books for Back to School
The start of the school year is my favorite time to read and celebrate the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. Not only does it teach our students that everyone is an artist and how to embrace a growth mindset but...Dot Day is a celebration of JUST THAT and it takes place every year on September 15th. Perfect timing! I have kicked the school year off with MANY different Dot Day art lessons and I thought I would pile them all into one big blog post just for you. From simple one-day lessons to longer format lessons, I've got you covered. Be sure to look for the links and give them a tap. Many links contain (free!) handouts and videos for you to use in your art room. Okay, let's get started! #1 A lesson that I have done FOR YEARS with my kindergarten students is this Dot Day lesson. Right after our First Days of Art sculpture project, we dive into painting! If you follow the link, you'll see me teaching painting to my kindergarteners on their third day of art class. I've done this lesson a couple of different ways. Sometimes we paint on cardboard pizza rounds (ya know, cuz they are a circle and all) and other times, like here, we paint on squares of paper. Regardless, we always start with a dot sticker right in the middle. #2 Last year, I had everyone create a painting the same way as those kindergarten pieces. Once complete, the students cut their paintings into fourths and rearranged them onto another square of paper. Details can be found here. Once complete, it was hung as this large collaborative piece! #3 Last year we also went Dot Day WILD by doing centers. I LOVE doing centers with the kids because it makes it so, in a short amount of time, they bet to experience an assortment of materials and methods. I created short videos to talk them through the centers so they could just go for it! You can see the end result in this blog post. But be sure to check out my methods and videos for how these were created here. #4 Dot Day Printing was one of the kid's favorite dot day activities because they had instant masterpieces! All we used were pizza pans purchased at the Dollar Tree and paint! They signed and gave their paintings a name and we strung them throughout the halls. This was a one day activity with a huge impact. We also read Little Spot of Kindness which was a great one to read at the start of the school year! #5 If you teach older students (5th and up) or you just want to dive into a longer-format project for Dot Day, you may want to give this string art lesson of mine a try. Video included in post! I actually did these at the start of the school year with my fourth graders and they looked amazing for Open House! #6 Circle loom weaving is one of my most popular blog posts! I think it's because...I found a way to make it easy for kids to learn and enjoy. Even though the blog post is a little bit older, it still has all the video details you and your students need. I've done this lesson successfully with second grade on up. I would recommend that if you do this at the start of the school year, third grade and up is the best age group. Even simply painted, these plates are beautiful! Let me walk you through how we make these without the mess of mixed colors and patterns. #7 Check out these simple metal relief pieces my third graders created one year! I'm a sucker for Sharpies and foil, y'all. Lesson here. So sparkly! #8 Need a SIMPLE yet BEAUTIFUL Dot Day display? Try this one! Now let me offer an update for that post: PLEASE when doing these coffee filters, PLEASE...do yourself a huge favor...don't dry them on plastic. Have kids create the dots on a STYROFOAM plate and let them dry on said plate. I would apologize for shouting but this is a BIG mistake I see folks make! When it dries on paper, the color leaves the filter and stains the paper. Then you have a sad looking filter! So...listen to your Mama Cass on this one. I beg of you! #9 Dot Day Party! Why not throw some huge sheets of paepr on the tables, bust out those metallic art supplies like markers, oil pastels and paint, turn on Emily Arrow's the Dot song and let them create their own dots as they dance around the room?! That's how these were created and used as a backdrop for our giant hallway display. Check it out in the link! #10 To know me is to know my love of CARDBOARD PIZZA ROUNDS! I buy them in bulk from GFS. Check out the brand called Circle King. I will always love and redo this lesson! The best part? The fact that we paint on both sides which turns these circles into an instant mobile! Check out the blog post to see how we display them all! #11 Aren't these DIVINE?! And they were so easy to make! All the details and supplies used can be found in this blog post! #12 This first grade (yes, first grade!) mural was a big undertaking but we kept it up all year. Can you blame us? We started with these Dot Day inspired flowers. Lesson here! #13 If Dot Day sneaks up on you OR you go back to school a little later and want to do something quick, this lesson is a fun one and done lesson! And you can find the free handout here! #14 Why not take your favorite back to school lessons and just...do them round? That's what I did with my favorite kindergarten lesson! Then we hung them all together for our display! So whether you keep it simple or go hog wild, I do hope I've given you some inspiration here! Love ya!
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Body sensations Interoception Activity for helping pupils to identify the sensations they get in their bodies when they are feeling different emotions
As Spring Break approaches, I find that my fifth graders are in need of some reminders as to what it means to be kind to each other. In general, they are sweet kids, but at times the words they use and actions they take, particularly on the playground, aren't the kindest. Our read aloud for the month is Wonder by RJ Palacio so the theme of kindness fit right into our room. It just so happens that a new book, We're All Wonders by RJ Palacio, a picture book intended for younger readers to access the story, came out this week as well. So the timing was perfect. (the two links above are my affiliate links and will take you to Amazon to buy the books.) I began by asking the students what kindness is. We brainstormed a list of ideas and created an anchor chart. Then I read the picture book to the students. Because we had just finished Wonder, they were so excited to read this new version. When we finished, I asked the kids to think of all the ways, in both the picture book and the novel, that people were not very kind to Auggie (the main character). The kids were able to fill our entire circle map in no time. It was easy to recall how people would scream in his face, recoiling at the way he looked. They remembered the names Auggie was called and the no-touching game that was played. The instantly told me about all the awful things that happened to him. I then asked the kids to brainstorm ways that, if they were in the novel with Auggie, they could be kinder to him. Again, they had no problem thinking of ways they could be kind to Auggie. Next, I asked the students to think about their own real life. I asked them to reflect upon how they personally treat others and how they personally could make better choices when speaking to others. Here is where things got a little challenging. You see, when students are talking about fictional characters, or reading news stories about OTHER kids they don't know being treated unfairly or unkindly, they know exactly what they would do if they were there. Because they aren't there. They know they never will be there. But when confronted with their own lives, and real possibilities for what they would have to do to step in or change situations, it is a bit harder for them. So I asked them to brainstorm 15 different ways they PERSONALLY could show kindness to our classmates. (I drew a lot of inspiration for this next part from Study All Knight's FREE Kindness unit, which you can grab here.) The students then used tempra paint and painted 15 (or so) rainbow sunshine rays. They also drew their own Wonder-Inspired portrait. (I have previously done this before, but had them focus on precepts and writing....if you would like to do that, click here. It is one of my fav lessons too!) The students then glued their Wonder portraits into the middle of the rays, used Sharpie to outline and write the 15 ways they could show real kindness in their lives (one way per ray) and were done. They came out amazing. (See the picture at the top of the post!) What is better though, is that the past two days, my students are actively trying to be kinder to each other. They are watching their words. I have seen people purposefully go up to those who tend to wander during group time and invite them into the group. I have seen students smile at others just a bit more. It truly has been a Wonder. Right now, for a limited time, Amazon has the book available for $3.99!!! Snag up to 4 copies at that price. Use my affiliate link here to get your copy ASAP before they are all gone!! SaveSave
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Struggling to fit social emotional learning or morning meeting into your daily lessons? Get your students talking and thinking critically with these high interest daily question prompts. Perfect for building community with upper elementary students and designed to take 15 minutes or less, use these prompts as part of your morning meeting to foster relationship building and integrate SEL into your daily lessons. Some days include a link to a YouTube video to scaffold discussion. These slides are not editable, but blank title slides are included to create your own! This Year-Long Bundle Includes: ↠ 36 Weeks of Daily Questions (180 Prompts) ↠ Each week follows the same format: Make Up Your Mind Monday: Students "take a side" related to the SEL skill of the week. Talk About Traits Tuesday: Students connect the skill of the week to their own lives. Would You Rather Wednesday: Silly, engaging community building questions. Think About it Thursday: Students discuss a further application of the SEL skill. Fun Fact Friday: Students answer a fun question related to a random fact. ↠ Each week focuses on a different SEL skill. Check out the preview for more details! Perfect for morning meeting, warm-ups, circle time, or dedicated SEL time, these prompts will encourage students to think deeply and critically about the traits included. This is a non-editable Google Slides resource. Includes blank title slides so that you can create your own themed slides as well! TEACHERS LOVE IT BECAUSE: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is my first year doing SEL and morning meetings with my students, and this resource has absolutely saved me! It is super easy to use, and my students love the different daily themes. " ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "...The organization and flow of the questions in this resource have made morning meetings far more consistent and meaningful." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Amazing resource! I love that the format is the same for each week and a focus on one key word. Exactly what my school was requiring and I don't have to search for things to do each day! The kids love the different questions and the videos are excellent for each topic." FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Q: Can I start these at any point in the school year? A: Yes! You can start with any set at any point in your school year. Q: Can I change the order of the weeks to match my school's SEL curriculum? A: Absolutely! These questions can be completed in any sequence. You can choose the order in which you complete them. Q: How long will it take my class to complete the questions each day? A: These questions are designed to use in 15 minutes or less each day. ➡️ CLICK HERE to follow my store and be the first to know about new products! ➡️ Leave feedback on your purchases to earn FREE TPT Credits to spend on resources for your classroom. Copyright © Teach Like a Pangolin Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
This page contains free social emotional learning activities that can be used to help students in elementary and middle school.
Why I teach comics.
