Lesson Plan
Superpower Mapping Lesson Plan
Students will explore CASEL’s five social-emotional competencies by identifying and mapping their own SEL “superpowers,” then reflecting to set personal growth goals.
This lesson builds self-awareness, empathy, and goal-setting skills by helping 4th graders recognize and celebrate their SEL strengths while identifying areas for growth.
Audience
4th Grade Class
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive mapping and reflective journaling
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print or project the Discover Your SEL Powers Slides.
- Print and cut apart the Strengths Sorting Challenge Cards for small groups.
- Make copies of the My SEL Superpower Reflection Journal for each student.
- Prepare the Power Pledge Exit Ticket handout.
- Review the CASEL competencies definitions on the slide deck as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: SEL Brainstorm
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Discover Your SEL Powers Slides.
- Ask students: “What is a superpower?” and list responses.
- Connect the idea of superpowers to social-emotional skills (e.g., empathy, self-management).
Step 2
Intro to CASEL’s Five Competencies
10 minutes
- Use slides 2–6 of the Discover Your SEL Powers Slides to introduce each competency: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making.
- Provide a brief example or story for each skill.
- Invite students to share when they’ve used any of these “powers.”
Step 3
Main Activity: Superpower Mapping
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Strengths Sorting Challenge Cards.
- On a large sheet, have them sort cards into “Top Powers” (strengths) and “Growth Powers.”
- Invite students to choose their top three SEL superpowers and sketch or write them in their maps.
- Circulate, prompt discussion, and highlight examples of each competency.
Step 4
Journal Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the My SEL Superpower Reflection Journal.
- Prompt students to answer:
- Which SEL superpower am I strongest in? Why?
- Which superpower do I want to grow? What’s one step?
- Allow quiet writing time; support students individually as needed.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Hand out the Power Pledge Exit Ticket.
- Ask each student to write a pledge statement using one of their SEL superpowers (e.g., “I pledge to listen actively to my friends every day.”).
- Collect exit tickets as students leave.
Slide Deck
Discover Your SEL Powers
Explore CASEL’s five social-emotional competencies and find your superpowers!
Welcome, everyone! Today we’re going to discover our SEL superpowers—skills like kindness, self-control, and making good choices—that help us in school and life.
Warm-Up: What Is a Superpower?
• What is a superpower?
• How can skills like empathy or self-control be our SEL powers?
Get students thinking about what a superpower is and connect that idea to social-emotional skills.
Competency #1: Self-Awareness
• Definition: Recognizing your emotions, strengths, and thoughts.
• Example: Noticing you feel proud when you help a friend.
Explain that self-awareness is knowing our own feelings, thoughts, and strengths. Share a quick story: “I felt nervous before a test, but I took deep breaths to calm down.”
Competency #2: Self-Management
• Definition: Regulating your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
• Example: Taking deep breaths when upset to calm down.
Discuss self-management as using strategies to handle our feelings and actions. Example: setting a timer to stay focused on work.
Competency #3: Social Awareness
• Definition: Showing empathy and understanding for others.
• Example: Listening when a friend is upset.
Describe social awareness as understanding others’ perspectives and showing empathy. Tell a story of noticing a classmate who looked sad and asking if they were okay.
Competency #4: Relationship Skills
• Definition: Building and maintaining healthy relationships.
• Example: Working with teammates on a group project.
Explain relationship skills like communication, cooperation, and resolving conflicts. Use a playground example of solving a sharing dispute.
Competency #5: Responsible Decision-Making
• Definition: Making caring and constructive choices.
• Example: Choosing to help rather than ignore someone in need.
Responsible decision-making means making choices based on safety, ethics, and social norms. Example: Deciding to walk away from a teasing situation.
Next Up: Map Your SEL Superpowers
• Think about which competencies you’re strongest in.
• Get ready to sort, sketch, and share your top three superpowers!
Prepare students for the Superpower Mapping activity: they’ll sort strengths vs growth areas and choose their top three SEL superpowers.
Activity
Strengths Sorting Challenge Cards
Objective: In small groups, sort these SEL sub-skill cards into “Top Powers” (strengths) and “Growth Powers” (areas to improve). Then pick your top three SEL superpowers for the mapping activity.
Instructions:
- Cut apart each card below.
- In your group, lay out all cards and discuss which you already do well (“Top Powers”) and which you’d like to get better at (“Growth Powers”).
- After sorting, choose your top three “Top Powers” to sketch or write in your Superpower Map.
Cards (cut these apart):
- Recognizing your emotions (Self-Awareness)
- Identifying your personal strengths (Self-Awareness)
- Reflecting on choices you make (Self-Awareness)
- Using a planner or setting goals (Self-Management)
- Taking deep breaths to calm down (Self-Management)
- Staying focused on tasks, even when it’s hard (Self-Management)
- Understanding how others feel (Social Awareness)
- Noticing when someone needs help (Social Awareness)
- Respecting different viewpoints (Social Awareness)
- Sharing your ideas respectfully (Relationship Skills)
- Working cooperatively in a group (Relationship Skills)
- Resolving disagreements peacefully (Relationship Skills)
- Thinking about consequences before acting (Responsible Decision-Making)
- Choosing to help rather than ignore someone in need (Responsible Decision-Making)
- Asking for advice when you’re unsure (Responsible Decision-Making)
Teacher Tip: Circulate to prompt discussion: "Why did you place this card in the Top Powers pile?" or "What could help you move this card from Growth Powers to Top Powers?"
Journal
My SEL Superpower Reflection
1. My Strongest SEL Superpower
Which CASEL competency is your greatest superpower? Why do you think this is your strength? Describe a time when you used this power and how it helped you or someone else.
2. My Growth SEL Superpower
Which SEL competency would you like to develop more? Why is growing this superpower important to you? Explain a situation when you wish you had used this power.
3. My Action Plan
Set one clear goal to improve your chosen SEL superpower. Then list two or three steps you will take to practice and strengthen this power over the next week.
4. Creative Superpower Sketch
Draw or describe how you imagine your SEL superpower as a superhero. What is your hero’s name? What special costume or tool do they have? How do they use their power to do good?
5. Superpower Pledge
Write a pledge statement explaining how you will use your SEL superpower to help yourself and others this week. For example: “I pledge to use my empathy superpower by listening to one friend every day.”
Cool Down
Power Pledge Exit Ticket
Think about one of your SEL superpowers and make a pledge statement for how you will use it this week. For example: “I pledge to use my empathy superpower by listening to one friend every day.”
Name: ___________________________