• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

What’s Your SEL Superpower?

Melanie Fosson

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Superpower Mapping Lesson Plan

Students will learn CASEL’s five social-emotional competencies by identifying personal strengths and areas for growth through interactive activities, culminating in a self-reflection and commitment to an SEL “superpower” goal.

By discovering their unique SEL strengths, students build self-awareness, confidence, and a foundation for positive relationships and responsible decision-making throughout their academic journey.

Audience

4th Grade Class

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive self-discovery activities and reflection.

Materials

  • Discover Your SEL Powers Slides, - Strengths Sorting Challenge, - My SEL Superpower Reflection, and - Power Pledge Exit Ticket

Prep

Review Materials and Setup

10 minutes

  • Review the Discover Your SEL Powers Slides for smooth transitions and speaker notes.
  • Print and cut out cards for the Strengths Sorting Challenge; shuffle into small stacks.
  • Make copies of the My SEL Superpower Reflection journal sheets for each student.
  • Print and prepare the Power Pledge Exit Ticket sheets and have writing utensils ready.

Step 1

Engage: Superpower Brainstorm

5 minutes

  • Gather students on the carpet or in a circle.
  • Ask: “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” and invite quick share-outs.
  • Introduce the idea that everyone has real-life “SEL superpowers”—skills like teamwork, self-control, and empathy.

Step 2

Explore: Discover Your SEL Powers Slides

10 minutes

  • Display Discover Your SEL Powers Slides.
  • Briefly explain CASEL’s five competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making.
  • For each competency, ask students to give an example of when they’ve used it.

Step 3

Deep Dive: Strengths Sorting Challenge

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups and distribute card stacks from the Strengths Sorting Challenge.
  • Instruct groups to read each card and sort it under one of the five competencies.
  • Circulate to support and ask probing questions: “Why did you place this under social awareness?”
  • After sorting, each group presents one example per competency.

Step 4

Reflect: My SEL Superpower Reflection

10 minutes

  • Hand out My SEL Superpower Reflection sheets.
  • Students individually write which competency feels like their strongest “superpower” and one they want to grow.
  • Encourage specific examples and how they can practice the growth area during the week.

Step 5

Exit: Power Pledge Exit Ticket

5 minutes

  • Distribute Power Pledge Exit Ticket.
  • Students write one action step they pledge to take using their SEL superpower.
  • Collect tickets as students leave and display a few pledge examples on a bulletin board.
lenny

Slide Deck

Discover Your SEL Powers

Explore CASEL’s Five Social-Emotional Competencies

Welcome students! Today we’ll explore CASEL’s five social-emotional learning competencies—your real-life “superpowers.” Invite students to listen for skills they already use and think of examples to share.

Self-Awareness

Recognizing your emotions, thoughts, and values that influence behavior.

Prompt: When have you noticed what you’re feeling?

Explain that self-awareness means noticing your feelings, thoughts, and values. Then ask volunteers: When have you realized what you were feeling and why?

Self-Management

Managing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations.

Prompt: Share a time you stayed calm when stressed.

Describe self-management as controlling impulses and staying calm. Ask: Can someone share a time they stayed cool under pressure or completed a tough task?

Social Awareness

Understanding and empathizing with others from diverse backgrounds.

Prompt: When have you shown empathy to a friend?

Define social awareness as understanding how others feel and think. Invite students to name a moment they showed kindness or empathy.

Relationship Skills

Building healthy connections through communication and cooperation.

Prompt: How do you work well in a team?

Explain relationship skills as working well with others and resolving conflicts. Ask: How have you cooperated or helped someone on a team?

Responsible Decision-Making

Making constructive choices about personal and social behavior.

Prompt: Describe a decision you made that helped you or others.

Discuss responsible decision-making: choosing actions that help you and others. Prompt students: Tell us about a good choice you made recently.

CASEL’s Five Competencies

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

Quick recap—read through the list together. Confirm everyone understands each competency before moving on.

Next Up: Strengths Sorting Challenge

In groups, match example cards to each SEL superpower and be ready to share.

Explain the next activity: students will sort real-life scenarios into these five categories in small groups.

lenny

Activity

Strengths Sorting Challenge Instructions

Overview: In this activity, students work in small groups to sort real-life scenario cards under CASEL’s five SEL competencies. Through discussion and collaborative decision-making, they deepen their understanding of each competency.

Materials Needed:

  • Printed scenario cards from the Strengths Sorting Challenge
  • Chart paper or sorting mats labeled:
    • Self-Awareness
    • Self-Management
    • Social Awareness
    • Relationship Skills
    • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Markers or sticky notes (optional)
  • Timer (optional)

Activity Steps:

  1. Divide students into groups of 3–4. Give each group a shuffled stack of scenario cards.
  2. Provide each group with a chart paper or mat for the five CASEL categories.
  3. Groups take turns drawing a card, reading the scenario aloud, and discussing which competency it best represents.
  4. Place the card under the chosen category and have one student explain the group’s reasoning.
  5. Continue until all cards are sorted or time is called (about 15 minutes).
  6. Circulate to ask probing questions, such as:
    • “Why does this scenario show social awareness?”
    • “How did you decide this fits responsible decision-making?”
  7. Once sorting is complete, each group picks one scenario per competency to share with the class.
  8. Debrief together: review each competency name and confirm correct placements.

Scenario Cards (15 total)

  1. I realized I was feeling nervous before a test and took deep breaths to calm down.


  2. I noticed I was angry because I forgot my homework and recognized how I could fix it.


  3. I understood I felt proud after finishing a challenging puzzle.


  4. I waited patiently in line without complaining.


  5. When I felt frustrated during math, I counted to ten before asking for help.


  6. I finished my chores before watching my favorite show, even though I was tired.


  7. I saw a classmate sitting alone and invited them to join our game.


  8. I noticed my friend looked sad and asked if they were okay.


  9. I listened carefully when someone shared their opinion, even if it was different from mine.


  10. I worked with my partner to create a poster and shared ideas equally.


  11. I helped resolve a disagreement by suggesting a fair solution both sides agreed on.


  12. I thanked my group members for their contributions during a project.


  13. I chose to finish my homework before playing video games.


  14. I decided to recycle paper instead of throwing it in the trash.


  15. I asked for permission before borrowing my friend’s pencil.





Note: After sorting, collect the cards to reuse or let students revisit them during later SEL check-ins.

lenny
lenny

Journal

My SEL Superpower Reflection

  1. My Strongest SEL Superpower
    Which SEL competency (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, or Responsible Decision-Making) feels like your strongest “superpower”? Describe a time you used this skill and how it helped you in a situation.











  1. Growth Area
    Which SEL competency would you most like to grow? Explain why this skill is important to you and how improving it could benefit you or others.











  1. Action Plan
    List three specific steps or daily practices you will use this week to strengthen your chosen growth area. For each step, note when and how you will do it.











  1. Future Superhero Self
    Imagine you have mastered your new SEL superpower. How might this change how you interact with classmates, solve problems, or handle challenges? Describe what this improved you would do differently.














  1. Superpower Pledge
    Write a short superhero-style motto or pledge that reminds you to practice your SEL superpower every day.






lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Power Pledge Exit Ticket

Name: _______________________ Date: ________________

  1. My SEL Superpower:
    Which SEL skill will you use this week? (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making)



  1. My Power Pledge:
    Write one specific action you will take to practice your SEL superpower. Start with “I will…”






  1. When & Where:
    When and where will you use this superpower? (e.g., at recess, during group work, at home)






  1. How I’ll Know:
    How will you know you’ve kept your pledge? What will you notice or feel?






Thank you for sharing your pledge! Keep it somewhere you can see it this week and remind yourself to be a superhero of SEL.

lenny
lenny