Lesson Plan
Superpower Mapping Lesson Plan
Students will learn CASEL’s five social and emotional competencies and identify which competency reflects their personal strengths and growth areas through interactive self-discovery activities.
Building emotional intelligence and self-awareness empowers students to recognize strengths, set goals, and create a supportive classroom culture.
Audience
4th Grade Class
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and hands-on self-discovery.
Materials
- Discover Your SEL Powers Slides (Discover Your SEL Powers Slides), - Strengths Sorting Challenge Activity (Strengths Sorting Challenge), - My SEL Superpower Reflection Journal (My SEL Superpower Reflection), - Power Pledge Exit Ticket Cool-Down (Power Pledge Exit Ticket), and - Chart Paper and Markers
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Open and review the Discover Your SEL Powers Slides to familiarize yourself with key talking points.
- Print one copy per student of the My SEL Superpower Reflection and the Power Pledge Exit Ticket.
- Prepare chart paper with headings for each CASEL competency and post it at the front of the room.
- Gather sets of the Strengths Sorting Challenge cards and place them at each table group.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain that everyone has an SEL “superpower” – a strength in one of CASEL’s five competencies.
- Show Slide 1 of the Discover Your SEL Powers Slides with a superhero theme to engage interest.
- Pose the question: “Which of these superpowers do you think you have?” and invite a few volunteers to guess.
Step 2
Explore CASEL Competencies
10 minutes
- Walk through Slides 2–6, briefly defining each competency: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making.
- After each definition, ask students to share a quick example of when they’ve seen that superpower in action (in school or at home).
- Record examples on the chart paper under each competency heading.
Step 3
Strengths Sorting Challenge
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and distribute the Strengths Sorting Challenge cards.
- Instruct groups to sort each scenario card under the competency they believe it represents.
- Circulate to prompt discussion: “Why did you place this card under Self-Management?”
- Once sorted, groups stick their cards on the chart paper under the chosen competency.
Step 4
Individual Reflection
10 minutes
- Hand out the My SEL Superpower Reflection.
- Ask students to circle the competency where they placed the most cards and write a short reflection: “This is my SEL superpower because…”
- Encourage them to note one area for growth and one action step they can take this week.
Step 5
Power Pledge Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Distribute the Power Pledge Exit Ticket.
- Students write one pledge: “This week, I will use my SEL superpower by…”
- Collect exit tickets as students leave and briefly preview next week’s follow-up activity.
Slide Deck
Discover Your SEL Superpowers!
Today we’ll explore CASEL’s five social and emotional competencies and find out which one is YOUR superpower.
Use a bold, superhero-themed background. Introduce the idea that everyone has unique SEL strengths—just like superpowers!
Script: “Welcome, Superheroes! Today we’re on a mission to discover our SEL superpowers—skills that help us handle feelings, build friendships, and make great choices.”
CASEL’s Five SEL Competencies
• Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills
• Responsible Decision-Making
Show an icon or simple graphic for each competency arranged like a superhero emblem grid.
Script: “Here are CASEL’s Five SEL Competencies—think of each as a unique power you can build.”
Self-Awareness
• Recognize your emotions and thoughts
• Understand how they influence your actions
• Identify your strengths and values
Use an image of a character peeking into a mirror or thought bubble.
Script: “Self-Awareness is knowing how you feel and why. It’s like looking in an inner mirror.”
Self-Management
• Regulate your emotions and behaviors
• Set and work toward goals
• Manage stress and adapt to change
Show a calm character taking deep breaths or setting a goal chart.
Script: “Self-Management is controlling impulses and staying on track—like using your powers responsibly.”
Social Awareness
• Show empathy and respect
• Notice other people’s emotions
• Appreciate diversity and different viewpoints
Use an image of two characters listening or helping one another.
Script: “Social Awareness means tuning in to others—understanding their feelings and perspectives.”
Relationship Skills & Decision-Making
• Communicate clearly and solve conflicts
• Build positive friendships
• Make safe, ethical choices and consider consequences
Display icons of a handshake and a decision tree.
Script: “Relationship Skills and Responsible Decision-Making keep our superpowers strong in teams and everyday choices.”
Activity
Strengths Sorting Challenge Activity
Description:
Students will work in groups to read scenario cards and decide which of CASEL’s five competencies each scenario represents. This hands-on sorting helps deepen understanding of each SEL skill.
Materials:
- Printed scenario cards (one set per group)
- Chart paper or five labeled headings: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making
- Tape or sticky tack to display cards under headings
Scenario Cards (with Teacher Answer Key):
- "You feel nervous before a big math test and notice your stomach is in knots."
Answer: Self-Awareness - "When you get frustrated while tying your shoes, you take a few deep breaths to calm down."
Answer: Self-Management - "You see a new student sitting alone at lunch and go ask them to join your table."
Answer: Social Awareness - "Two friends start arguing over a toy, and you help them talk it out and find a fair solution."
Answer: Relationship Skills - "You find a wallet on the playground and turn it in to the teacher instead of keeping it."
Answer: Responsible Decision-Making - "You realize you’ve been feeling tired lately and decide to go to bed earlier tonight."
Answer: Self-Awareness - "You have homework and chores to do, so you make a schedule and follow it to finish both."
Answer: Self-Management - "Your friend looks sad after hearing bad news, so you sit quietly beside them to show support."
Answer: Social Awareness - "During a group project, you apologize after interrupting someone and then let them finish speaking."
Answer: Relationship Skills - "Before joining a risky game at recess, you think about what could happen and decide to choose a safer activity."
Answer: Responsible Decision-Making
Instructions:
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a full set of scenario cards.
- On chart paper or board, display five headings—one for each SEL competency.
- Instruct groups to read each card and discuss which competency it best represents.
- Once they agree, groups tape each card under their chosen heading.
- Circulate, ask prompting questions (e.g., "Why did you place this under Self-Management?"), and clarify any misunderstandings.
- After sorting, review as a class. Invite groups to explain one or two of their placements and share the reasoning.
Follow-Up:
- Ask students to pick one scenario from a competency they find challenging and write or discuss how they might practice that skill this week.
Journal
My SEL Superpower Reflection
-
Which CASEL competency is your SEL superpower? Explain why you feel this is your strength.
-
What is one area of SEL you would like to grow in? Why is improving this skill important to you?
-
What is one action step you will take this week to practice your SEL superpower or develop your growth area? How will you know you’ve succeeded?
Cool Down
Power Pledge Exit Ticket
-
My SEL superpower is: ____________________________
-
This week, I will use my SEL superpower by:
-
I will know I’ve succeeded when: