SEL Kickstart Facilitator Script

Slide 1: Introduction to Social-Emotional Learning (5 minutes)

“Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our SEL Kickstart session! I’m delighted to see so many dedicated educators and leaders here today. Over the next hour, we will define Social-Emotional Learning, explore its five core competencies, and begin planning practical strategies to bring SEL into your schools.

On the screen you can see our agenda for today:

1. Warm-Up Game
2. SEL Overview Video
3. Guided Discussion
4. Interactive Group Activity
5. Quick Quiz
6. Mini-Project Introduction
7. Cool-Down Reflection

Our goal is for you to leave with hands-on ideas and a mini-project outline you can implement right away. Let’s start with a quick icebreaker!”

Slide 2: Warm-Up Game: Emotion Charades (10 minutes)

“Please take the Engagement Game Instructions I’ve handed out. We’re going to play Emotion Charades.

• Form small groups of three to four people.
• Each group member will silently act out an emotion written on their card.
• The rest of your group will guess the emotion and briefly discuss how recognizing that feeling supports SEL in the classroom.

I’ll give you two minutes per person. Go ahead and begin now!”

After 8 minutes of play

“Great energy, everyone! Let’s debrief. First, what emotion did you find easiest to convey, and why?”

Pause for 1–2 responses. Then ask:

“What surprised you about recognizing or expressing that emotion? How could this awareness help our students?”

Collect two or three quick thoughts before moving on.

Slide 3: What is SEL? (10 minutes)

“Next, we will watch a brief overview from our SEL Video Lessons List. As you watch, jot down the five core competencies and any benefits you notice on your Participant Worksheet.

Let’s play the first two-and-a-half minutes. (Start video.)

Pause video at 2:30

“Stop there—what stood out to you about the SEL definition or benefits? Feel free to shout out keywords.”

Listen for words like self-awareness, relationship skills, etc. Acknowledge each and then say:

“Excellent. Now let’s watch the segment on the five core competencies.”

Play second half of video.

“Thank you. Quickly record any additional notes.”

Slide 4: Guided Discussion: SEL in Practice (10 minutes)

“Let’s discuss what SEL looks like in your schools. I’ll pose three questions from our Discussion Guide.

1. What SEL practices have you already seen or implemented in your classrooms or buildings?
2. What barriers have you encountered when trying to embed SEL?
3. What strategies might help you overcome those challenges?

Who would like to start with examples of existing SEL practices? Jane?”

Let Jane share. Then follow up with:

“That’s a great example. Could you elaborate on how you measured its impact?”

After 2–3 contributions, move to barriers and then solutions.

Slide 5: Interactive Group Activity (15 minutes)

“Now we’ll apply what we’ve learned. Please form new groups of three to four people. I’m distributing the Interactive Activity Handout.

Each group will:
• Choose one SEL competency (e.g., self-management, social awareness).
• Design a five-minute mini-lesson applying it to a realistic classroom scenario.
• Use the handout to note your objective, steps, and materials needed.

You have 12 minutes. I’ll circulate to support your planning.”

After 12 minutes, gather attention.

“Let’s have each group share their mini-lesson in one minute.”

Allow each group to share briefly. Offer positive feedback.

Slide 6: Quick Quiz: SEL Basics (5 minutes)

“Time for a quick formative check. Please complete the Quick Quiz in front of you. You have five minutes to answer five questions on SEL definitions, competencies, and benefits. Work independently, and then pass your quiz to the front.”

After five minutes, collect quizzes.

Slide 7: Mini-Project Overview (5 minutes)

“Next, I’d like to introduce your mini-project. You’ll design a detailed SEL integration plan for your own context. Here’s the Mini-Project Outline.

Your plan should include:
• Clear objectives tied to one or more SEL competencies
• A sequence of engagement activities
• Methods for assessing impact

This is due in two weeks. Use the SEL Integration Rubric to guide your work.”

Slide 8: Assessment Criteria: SEL Integration Rubric (5 minutes)

“Let’s review the rubric highlights:

• Alignment: Does your plan clearly connect to SEL competencies?
• Engagement: Are your activities practical and student-centered?
• Reflection: Have you included next steps and measures of success?

Do you have any questions about how you’ll be assessed?”

Address questions.

Slide 9: Cool-Down Reflection (5 minutes)

“To wrap up, please take a Cool-Down Reflection Sheet. Write one concrete SEL step you will implement next week in your classroom or school.

Who would like to share their action step? Maria?”

Allow one or two volunteers to share.

Slide 10: Closing & Next Steps (2 minutes)

“Thank you all for your active participation! As a next step, please complete the take-home Assessment Test by the deadline indicated. You can reference the Answer Key for self-review once you finish.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions or for support. Have a great rest of your day, and I look forward to seeing your SEL integration plans!”

Participant Worksheet: SEL Kickstart

1. Defining SEL (Video 1)

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

List three key benefits of SEL in your school context:

2. Core Competencies (Video 2)

Fill in the definitions or examples for each competency:

Self-Awareness:



Self-Management:



Social Awareness:



Relationship Skills:



Responsible Decision-Making:

3. Reflection Prompts

1. How do these competencies connect to challenges you observe in your classrooms or schools?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Identify one SEL competency you want to prioritize and describe why:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. What questions or supports do you need to effectively integrate SEL?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Additional Notes & Ideas

Use this space for any ideas, examples, or strategies you want to revisit:

SEL Recommended Readings

Below is a curated list of accessible articles and excerpts to deepen your understanding of SEL fundamentals:

1. What Is SEL? (CASEL)
   https://casel.org/what-is-sel/
   A concise overview of SEL’s definition and the five core competencies from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.
2. Social-Emotional Learning 101 (Edutopia)
   https://www.edutopia.org/article/social-emotional-learning-101
   An introductory article that explores practical classroom strategies and real-world examples of SEL in action.
3. The Five Benefits of SEL (Education Week)
   https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-5-benefits-of-social-emotional-learning/2020/02
   A clear breakdown of how SEL supports academic achievement, student behavior, and overall school climate.
4. SEL in Action: A Practical Guide (Panorama Education)
   https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/sel-in-action-guide
   Step-by-step insights on integrating SEL into daily routines with sample activities and reflection prompts.
5. MindUP: Teaching the Brain to Learn (MindUP Curriculum Excerpt)
   https://mindup.org
   An excerpt from the MindUP program highlighting the neuroscience behind mindfulness and its role in supporting social-emotional development.

SEL Guided Discussion

Purpose

This guide supports facilitators in leading a focused conversation on integrating SEL into school contexts. Use these questions to elicit real-world examples, surface challenges, and co-construct strategies for success.

Facilitator Tips

• Arrange participants in a circle or U-shape to foster open dialogue.
• Use active listening: paraphrase responses, acknowledge diverse perspectives, and invite quieter voices to share.
• Connect responses to SEL competencies and encourage participants to build on each other’s ideas.
• Keep the discussion on track by gently redirecting if the conversation strays or becomes too detailed on one point.
• Use follow-up probes (shown below) to deepen the conversation.

Core Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

1. What SEL practices have you already seen or implemented in your classrooms or buildings?
   Follow-Ups:
   • Can you describe a specific activity or routine?
   • What impact did you observe on student behavior or learning?
2. What barriers have you encountered when trying to embed SEL?
   Follow-Ups:
   • Are there time, resource, or mindset constraints?
   • How have students or staff responded?
3. Which strategies might help you overcome those challenges?
   Follow-Ups:
   • What support or training would be most helpful?
   • How could you adapt existing practices to be more sustainable?

Extensions & Deeper Dive

• Equity Lens: How might SEL strategies need to be adapted to serve students with diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds?
• Data & Assessment: What measures or indicators could help you track SEL progress over time?
• Sustainability: How can you build buy-in among colleagues and embed SEL into school culture beyond one-off lessons?

Closing Reflection (2 minutes)

Invite participants to share one takeaway or action step they will implement in the next week. Capture these on a flip chart or whiteboard for accountability and follow-up.

SEL Group Activity Handout

Instructions

1. Form groups of 3–4 participants.
2. Choose one SEL core competency to focus on (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, or Responsible Decision-Making).
3. Select or assign one scenario below (or develop your own real-world example).
4. Use the planning template to design a 5-minute mini-lesson applying your chosen competency to the scenario.
5. Be prepared to share your mini-lesson with the larger group in 1 minute.

Scenario Options (choose one)

1. Conflict in Group Work
   A small group of students struggles to collaborate without arguing.
2. Test-Taking Anxiety
   Several students feel overwhelmed before a quiz and need coping strategies.
3. New Student Integration
   A new student is having difficulty making friends and understanding class routines.
4. Recess Exclusion
   One student is repeatedly left out during unstructured playtime.

Planning Template

1. SEL Competency:

2. Selected Scenario:

3. Lesson Objective
(What will students know or be able to do?):

4. Materials Needed:

5. Step-by-Step Plan

• Introduction (1 minute): How will you engage students?

• Core Activity (3 minutes): Describe the main exercise or discussion.

• Reflection & Debrief (1 minute): How will students process and share insights?

6. Assessment Method
(How will you know the lesson was effective?):

7. Inclusion & Differentiation
(Consider IEPs, 504s, language needs, cultural backgrounds):

8. Time Allotment:

When your group is ready, appoint one spokesperson to present your mini-lesson in one minute. Be concise and highlight how the SEL competency was embedded in your approach.

SEL Icebreaker Game: Emotion Charades

Objective

Jump-start participants’ awareness of facial expressions and nonverbal cues and set the tone for Social-Emotional Learning by practicing emotion recognition in a fun, interactive way.

Materials

• A stack of emotion cards (or slips of paper) with words such as happy, frustrated, excited, anxious, proud, confused, etc.
• A hat, bowl, or container for drawing cards
• A timer or stopwatch

Setup (2 minutes)

1. Prepare 1–2 cards per person with a variety of emotion words.
2. Place the cards in a hat or bowl.
3. Arrange participants in small groups of 3–4 at tables or in clusters.

How to Play (8 minutes)

1. One person in each group draws a card without showing others and silently acts out the emotion for 30 seconds.
2. The rest of the group guesses the emotion.
3. Once guessed correctly (or time is up), the actor shows the card and briefly (30 seconds) describes:
   • How they chose to express that emotion nonverbally
   • Why noticing this emotion in students might matter in the classroom
4. Rotate roles so each person acts and debriefs once.

Debrief Questions (3 minutes)

• Which emotion was hardest to portray? Why?
• How did your group decide your final guess? What cues helped you?
• In what ways could practicing this skill support building SEL in your school?

Variations & Extensions

• Speed Round: Shorten acting time to 20 seconds and make it a friendly competition—first correct guess scores a point.
• Charades with Scenarios: Instead of single words, use short scenarios (e.g., “A student just found out they failed a test”). Groups act out and respond with coping strategies.
• Cultural Lens: Include emotions with culturally specific gestures or expressions and discuss how emotional cues vary across backgrounds.

Use this game as your warm-up in the SEL Kickstart session to prime both emotional awareness and group collaboration!

SEL Integration Rubric

Use this rubric to guide and assess your mini-project developing an SEL integration plan. Each criterion is scored on a 4-point scale.

SEL Mini-Project Outline

Project Goal

Design and implement a manageable, research‐informed SEL integration plan tailored to your school or classroom context. Use this outline to structure a clear, actionable project that embeds one or more SEL core competencies into daily practice.

Objectives

By the end of this mini‐project, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate 1–2 SEL core competencies and their relevance to student needs.
2. Develop a sequence of at least three engagement activities that align with chosen competencies.
3. Define measurable indicators for both formative and summative assessment of SEL outcomes.
4. Incorporate inclusion and differentiation strategies (IEPs, language needs, cultural responsiveness).
5. Create a sustainability plan with next‐steps and timelines for ongoing SEL support.

Project Components & Deliverables

1. Context & Rationale (1–2 pages)
   • Describe your setting (grade level, student demographics, identified needs).
   • Explain why selected SEL competency(ies) address these needs.
2. Learning Objectives & Competency Alignment
   • List clear objectives linked to specific SEL competencies.
   • Reference how each objective will be addressed in activities.
3. Engagement Activity Sequence
   • Outline three or more activities, including:
     • Title and description
     • Time allotment
     • Materials and resources
     • Step‐by‐step plan
4. Assessment Strategy
   • Formative: Tools or observations you will use during implementation (e.g., exit tickets, reflection prompts).
   • Summative: How you will measure overall impact (e.g., survey data, behavioral indicators).
5. Inclusion & Differentiation Plan
   • Identify accommodations or modifications for diverse learners (IEP goals, 504 plans, multilingual students).
6. Sustainability & Next Steps
   • Outline follow‐up actions (e.g., coaching, peer observations, data review meetings).
   • Provide a basic timeline for planning, implementation, and reflection.
7. References & Resources
   • Cite any readings, videos, or frameworks you’ve consulted.
   • Link to SEL Integration Rubric to show alignment with assessment criteria.

Suggested Timeline

Submission Instructions

• Submit your completed outline as a single PDF or slideshow.
• Ensure each deliverable component is clearly labeled.
• Include a brief (5-minute) recorded walkthrough or live presentation to demonstrate understanding and readiness for implementation.

Use this outline as both a planning roadmap and an assessment guide—your final plan should meet or exceed the criteria laid out in the SEL Integration Rubric. Good luck, and have fun designing!

SEL Assessments Answer Key

Quick Quiz: SEL Basics

1. What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
   Answer: Social-Emotional Learning is the process through which individuals acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to recognize and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, show empathy for others, build and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
2. List the five core competencies of SEL.
   Answer:
   • Self-Awareness
   • Self-Management
   • Social Awareness
   • Relationship Skills
   • Responsible Decision-Making
3. Name one benefit of SEL in the classroom.
   Answer (any one):
   • Improved academic performance through better self-regulation
   • Enhanced classroom climate and student engagement
   • Reduced behavioral issues and stronger peer empathy
4. Provide one example of an SEL practice you might implement.
   Answer (any one):
   • Morning meetings with emotion check-ins
   • Role-playing to practice conflict resolution
   • Daily breathing or mindfulness exercises
5. Identify one barrier to embedding SEL in schools and a strategy to overcome it.
   Answer (example):
   • Barrier: Limited instructional time.
   • Strategy: Embed SEL into existing routines (e.g., start math class with a quick emotion check-in) rather than scheduling standalone lessons.

Assessment Test Answer Key

1. Define Social-Emotional Learning in your own words.
   Model Answer: See Quick Quiz Q1 above; must include managing emotions, empathy, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
2. Explain Self-Management and give one example activity.
   Model Answer: Self-Management is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. Example: Teaching students a breathing or counting technique to calm themselves before a test.
3. Describe a strategy to teach Social Awareness in a diverse classroom.
   Model Answer: Lead a perspective-taking activity such as cultural storytelling circles, where students share experiences and practice empathy by summarizing a peer’s perspective.
4. Outline a 5-minute mini-lesson for test-taking anxiety.
   Model Answer:**
   • Introduction (1 min): Define test-taking anxiety and normalize it.
   • Core Activity (3 min): Guide students through a structured breathing exercise (e.g., 4-7-8 method) and have them practice.
   • Reflection & Debrief (1 min): Students share one coping strategy they will use before the next quiz.
5. How would you differentiate the above mini-lesson for a student with ADHD?
   Model Answer: Provide a visual step-by-step breathing cue card; allow the student to stand or move in place during the exercise; give brief, clear verbal prompts.
6. Propose one formative and one summative assessment method for SEL outcomes.
   Model Answer:**
   • Formative: Exit tickets asking students to rate their confidence in using the breathing technique.
   • Summative: A pre- and post-survey measuring self-reported anxiety levels and use of coping strategies over a unit.
7. Explain how you would use the SEL Integration Rubric to refine your plan.
   Model Answer: Check that objectives align precisely with chosen competencies, ensure activities are student-centered with clear materials and steps, add explicit reflection prompts, and incorporate differentiation and next-step planning per rubric criteria.
8. Identify two next-steps to sustain your SEL plan beyond the initial lesson.
   Model Answer:**
   • Schedule monthly peer-planning meetings to share SEL successes and challenges.
   • Integrate a brief emotion check-in in each week’s lesson and track trends through quick surveys.
9. List three resources you might cite in your References & Resources section.
   Model Answer (any three):
   • CASEL: “What Is SEL?”
   • Edutopia: “Social-Emotional Learning 101”
   • MindUP program excerpt on mindfulness and neuroscience
10. Reflect on one support you need to fully integrate SEL.
    Model Answer (sample): I would benefit from coaching on collecting and interpreting SEL data, and I need administrative buy-in to protect 5–10 minutes daily for SEL activities.

SEL Cool-Down Reflection Sheet

Please complete the prompts below to solidify your next steps for integrating SEL in your practice.

1. Action Step

What is one specific SEL strategy or activity you will implement next week in your classroom or school?

2. SEL Competency

Which SEL core competency does this step address? (Circle one)

Self-Awareness • Self-Management • Social Awareness • Relationship Skills • Responsible Decision-Making

3. Supports & Resources

What support, resources, or collaboration will help you successfully implement this step?

4. Barriers & Solutions

Identify one potential barrier you might encounter and how you plan to overcome it.

Thank you for reflecting—your commitment to SEL makes a difference!

SEL Video Lessons List

Below is a curated playlist of short, high-quality videos to introduce and deepen understanding of Social-Emotional Learning. Embed these URLs in your SEL Slide Deck.

1. What Is SEL? (CASEL Overview)
   URL: https://youtu.be/Yjmw5Qf8vX0
   A 3-minute animated introduction to SEL from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.

2. The Five Core Competencies of SEL (Edutopia)
   URL: https://youtu.be/xtJYcY5xqdY
   A 4-minute video breaking down self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making with classroom examples.

3. Mindfulness Practices in the Classroom (MindUp Foundation)
   URL: https://youtu.be/8u1dNf_3_UU
   A 5-minute demonstration of simple breathing and grounding exercises to support emotional regulation.

4. Teaching Empathy Through Storytelling (Greater Good Science Center)
   URL: https://youtu.be/mwtx-QmDXBQ
   A 6-minute case study on using personal narratives to build social awareness and empathy among diverse learners.

5. Coping with Test Anxiety (Understood for Educators)
   URL: https://youtu.be/Z8sQHjgYhM8
   A 4-minute tutorial on strategies (deep breathing, positive self-talk) to help students manage stress before assessments.

6. Embedding SEL Into Academic Lessons (Panorama Education)
   URL: https://youtu.be/6bMu-gqBjm8
   A 5-minute overview of integrating quick SEL check-ins and reflection prompts into everyday subjects like math and language arts.

7. Growth Mindset: The Power of Yet (TED-Ed)
   URL: https://youtu.be/XLeUvZvuvAs
   A 5-minute animated talk on fostering a growth mindset, emphasizing perseverance and resilience.

8. Conflict Resolution Skills (UNICEF)
   URL: https://youtu.be/afrOEddFH_8
   A 4-minute tutorial on age-appropriate strategies for managing and resolving conflicts empathetically.

9. Mindful Classroom Routine (GoNoodle)
   URL: https://youtu.be/glOgvEQM5SI
   A 3-minute guided mindfulness routine to help students settle, focus, and prepare for learning.

Use these video lessons to engage participants, illustrate core concepts, and spark discussion during your session.