Feelings Check-In

Instructions: Think about how you're feeling right now. Choose one word to describe your current emotion. Be ready to share why you feel that way in one sentence.

My Feeling Word:


Why I Feel This Way:

Teacher Script: SEL Introduction

Warm Up: Feelings Check-In (5 minutes)

(Slide 1: Welcome! Feelings Check-In)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Let's start our day by checking in with ourselves. Look at the slide. I want you to think about how you're feeling right now. Choose one word to describe your current emotion. It could be happy, tired, excited, calm, curious – any feeling word that fits how you're feeling at this moment."

"Once you have your word, think about why you feel that way. You don't have to write it down, just have it ready in your mind. I'll ask a few of you to share."

Give students about 30 seconds to think.

"Okay, who would like to share their feeling word and why?"

Call on 3-4 students. Acknowledge and validate their feelings without judgment.

"Thank you for sharing! It's great to notice and name our feelings. This is actually a big part of what we're going to talk about today."

Introduction to SEL (15 minutes)

(Slide 2: What is SEL?)

"Today, we're going to learn about something super important called SEL. Has anyone heard of SEL before? It stands for Social-Emotional Learning."

Pause for student responses. If none, proceed.

"SEL is all about understanding YOU – how you think, how you feel, and what you do. It also helps you understand how you connect with others around you. It's about learning life skills that are just as important as reading, writing, and math."

"Look at the slide. SEL helps you:

• Understand your feelings: Like what we just did in our warm-up!
• Manage your actions: How you respond when you're excited, frustrated, or happy.
• Get along with friends: How you work and play with others.
• Make good decisions: Thinking through choices before you act."

"Why do you think it's important to learn these kinds of skills? How might they help you in school or at home?"

Allow 2-3 students to share their thoughts.

(Slide 3: 5 SEL Superpowers!)

"That's right! These skills are like your own personal superpowers! And just like superheroes have different powers, SEL has 5 important parts, or what I like to call 5 SEL Superpowers!"

"They are: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. We're going to explore each one of these today."

(Slide 4: 1. Self-Awareness: Knowing Yourself)

"Our first superpower is Self-Awareness. This means knowing yourself – knowing what you feel, what you think, and what you want."

"Think about it: Do you know what makes you happy? What makes you frustrated? What are you really good at? What things are a little tricky for you? That's self-awareness! It's like having a superpower that helps you look inside yourself."

"Can anyone give an example of when they were really self-aware? Maybe you realized you were getting upset, or you knew exactly what you needed to feel calm?"

Allow a few students to share.

(Slide 5: 2. Self-Management: Handling Your Feelings)

"Our second superpower is Self-Management. This is about handling your feelings and behaviors in a helpful way. Once you know how you feel (Self-Awareness), what do you do with that feeling?"

"If you're feeling frustrated, self-management means taking a deep breath instead of yelling. If you have a big project due, it means managing your time to get it done. It's about staying calm when you're upset, or keeping focused even when you want to play."

"What are some ways you manage your feelings or behaviors when things get tough?"

Encourage answers like deep breaths, counting, asking for help, taking a break.

(Slide 6: 3. Social Awareness: Understanding Others)

"Our third superpower is Social Awareness. This is about understanding other people and how they feel. It's like having a superpower that lets you step into someone else's shoes!"

"It means noticing if a friend looks sad, or understanding why someone might be feeling happy. It also means respecting differences and appreciating that everyone comes from a different background."

"How can you tell if someone is feeling a certain way without them saying a word? What clues do you look for?"

Prompt for body language, facial expressions, tone of voice.

(Slide 7: 4. Relationship Skills: Working with Others)

"Our fourth superpower is Relationship Skills. This is all about building and keeping healthy relationships with your family, friends, and classmates. It's about working together like a team!"

"This means communicating clearly when you talk, listening carefully when others speak, and working together to solve problems peacefully. These are the skills that make you a great friend and a great team member."

"What makes someone a good friend? What are some things you do to show good relationship skills?"

Listen for answers like sharing, listening, being kind, solving arguments.

(Slide 8: 5. Responsible Decision-Making: Making Smart Choices)

"And our final superpower is Responsible Decision-Making. This is about making smart, thoughtful, and ethical choices. It's like having a superpower that helps you think before you act!"

"Before you make a choice, you stop and think: What are the consequences? Is this fair? Is it safe? What's the best thing to do? It's about solving problems in a way that helps everyone."

"Can you think of a time when you had to make a really responsible decision? What did you do?"

Encourage students to share examples where they thought through a choice.

(Slide 9: Your SEL Superpowers!)

"Wow! We've learned about the 5 SEL Superpowers today! Let's quickly review them:

1. Self-Awareness: Knowing yourself.
2. Self-Management: Handling your feelings.
3. Social Awareness: Understanding others.
4. Relationship Skills: Working with others.
5. Responsible Decision-Making: Making smart choices."

"Remember, these aren't just big words; these are skills you can use every single day to be your best self and get along with others!"

Reading & Discussion: What is SEL? (15 minutes)

(Slide 10: Time to Read & Discuss!)

"Now that we've introduced these superpowers, we're going to read more about them. I'm going to hand out a reading called Reading: What is SEL?. You can read it quietly to yourselves, or you can work with a partner to read it together."

Distribute the reading material.

"As you read, think about any new information you learn or anything that makes you think, 'Oh, I do that!' or 'I want to try that!'"

Allow students about 7-8 minutes to read.

"Okay, let's bring it back together. Now we're going to have a discussion using these SEL Discussion Prompts."

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompts from the SEL Discussion material. Ensure all students have an opportunity to share if they wish.

Activity: SEL Superpower (15 minutes)

(Slide 11: SEL Superpower Activity!)

"Fantastic discussion, everyone! Now it's time to get creative. Each of these 5 SEL competencies we talked about is truly like a superpower. You can choose one that you want to develop or one that you feel is really important."

"Your task is to choose one SEL superpower and either draw a picture or write a short paragraph about how you can use this superpower in your daily life. For example, if you choose 'Self-Management,' you might draw yourself taking deep breaths when you're frustrated, or write about how you'll plan your homework time."

Distribute paper and drawing/writing materials.

"Be creative! Think about how this superpower helps you or others. We'll share some of these at the end if we have time."

Circulate and provide support and encouragement.

Worksheet: Apply Your Knowledge (5 minutes)

(Slide 12: Show What You Know: Worksheet!)

"Alright, let's wrap up our learning with a quick SEL Worksheet. This worksheet will help you apply what you've learned about the 5 SEL Superpowers. Please complete it independently."

Distribute the worksheet.

"Take your time and do your best. If you have questions, please raise a quiet hand."

Circulate and assist students as needed.

Cool Down: SEL Reflection (5 minutes)

(Slide 13: Cool Down: Reflect and Share)

"Great work today, everyone! To finish up, I want you to take a moment to reflect on our lesson with this SEL Reflection Cool Down."

"On your cool-down slip, write down one new thing you learned about SEL today, OR one SEL skill you want to practice more."

Distribute cool-down slips.

"When you're finished, you can hand it to me as you leave. Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today!"

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Imagine you have a toolbox, but instead of tools for building things, it's full of tools for life! That's kind of what Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL, is all about. It's how we learn to understand and manage our emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Think about it: Every day, you have feelings, you interact with friends, you face challenges, and you make choices. SEL gives you the skills to handle all of these things in a healthy and successful way.

There are five main parts to SEL, often called the 5 Core Competencies. Let's explore them!

1. Self-Awareness: Knowing Yourself

This is your ability to understand your own emotions, thoughts, and values, and how they influence your behavior. It's like having a superpower that lets you look inside your own mind and heart! A self-aware person can:

• Recognize their feelings: "I feel excited because it's Friday!" or "I'm frustrated because this puzzle is hard."
• Understand their strengths: "I'm good at drawing." or "I'm a patient listener."
• Know what they need: "I need a break when I feel overwhelmed." or "I need to ask for help when I'm stuck."

2. Self-Management: Handling Your Feelings

Once you know what you're feeling, self-management is about how you handle those feelings and actions. It's about being able to control your impulses, manage your stress, and work towards your goals. This superpower helps you stay in charge of yourself! A person with strong self-management skills can:

• Calm down when upset: Taking deep breaths instead of yelling.
• Stay focused: Finishing homework even when they want to play.
• Set and achieve goals: Planning how to save money for a new toy.
• Handle challenges: Not giving up when something is difficult.

3. Social Awareness: Understanding Others

This competency is about understanding the feelings and perspectives of others, especially people from different backgrounds. It's like having an empathy superpower – you can understand what others might be going through! A socially aware person can:

• Empathize with friends: "My friend looks sad; I wonder what happened?"
• Show respect: Listening quietly when someone else is speaking.
• Recognize social cues: Noticing if someone needs help or space.
• Appreciate differences: Understanding that not everyone celebrates the same holidays or has the same beliefs.

4. Relationship Skills: Working with Others

Relationship skills are about how well you get along with other people. This includes communicating clearly, listening, cooperating, and resolving conflicts peacefully. It's your teamwork and friendship superpower! Someone with good relationship skills can:

• Communicate effectively: Clearly explaining their ideas or feelings.
• Listen actively: Paying attention when others talk and asking questions.
• Work as a team: Sharing tasks and supporting group goals.
• Solve disagreements: Talking through problems with friends to find a solution.

5. Responsible Decision-Making: Making Smart Choices

This is your ability to make thoughtful, ethical, and safe choices about your behavior and social interactions. It's your superpower for thinking things through! A person who practices responsible decision-making will:

• Think before acting: "What will happen if I do this?"
• Consider consequences: Understanding the good and bad outcomes of a choice.
• Solve problems constructively: Finding solutions that are fair to everyone.
• Seek help when needed: Knowing when to ask an adult for advice about a tough choice.

My SEL Superpower!

We've learned about the five SEL superpowers:

1. Self-Awareness (Knowing yourself)
2. Self-Management (Handling your feelings)
3. Social Awareness (Understanding others)
4. Relationship Skills (Working with others)
5. Responsible Decision-Making (Making smart choices)

Your Task:

Choose ONE of these SEL superpowers that you want to develop or that you think is really important. Imagine you have this superpower! How would you use it in your daily life?

Instructions:

1. Circle the superpower you choose:

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

2. Draw a picture OR write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) showing how you would use this SEL superpower. Be creative! You can show yourself at school, at home, or with friends.

Example: If I chose Self-Management, I might draw myself taking three deep breaths before responding when I feel angry, or write about how I will use a planner to organize my homework.

Share your superpower with a classmate if time allows!

SEL Competencies Check

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Part 1: Match the Superpower!

Draw a line to match each SEL Superpower to its description.

1. Self-Awareness a. Working well with others and being a good friend.
2. Self-Management b. Knowing your feelings, strengths, and what you need.
3. Social Awareness c. Thinking before you act and making good choices.
4. Relationship Skills d. Understanding how others feel and showing kindness.
5. Responsible Decision-Making e. Handling your feelings and actions in a helpful way.

Part 2: Which Superpower Are You Using?

Read each scenario. Write down which SEL Superpower is being used. Choose from: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making.

1. Maria felt her face get hot and her heart beat fast when her block tower fell down. She knew she was getting angry.
   Superpower: __________________________________
   
   
   
   

2. When David saw his friend drop all his books, David stopped to help him pick them up.
   Superpower: __________________________________
   
   
   
   

3. Sarah wanted to watch TV, but she remembered she had to finish her homework first. She chose to do her homework.
   Superpower: __________________________________
   
   
   
   

4. After an argument, Leo and Mia talked about their feelings and found a way to play together again.
   Superpower: __________________________________
   
   
   
   

5. Instead of yelling when his toy broke, Alex took a deep breath and asked his mom for help.
   Superpower: __________________________________
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Think About It!

Write about one SEL skill you use often. How does it help you?

SEL Introduction: Discussion Prompts

After reading "What is SEL?", let's discuss what we've learned. Remember to listen respectfully to your classmates and share your thoughts clearly.

General Understanding

1. In your own words, what is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)? Why do you think it's important for students like you to learn about it?
2. What was one new thing you learned about SEL from the reading?

The Five Superpowers

3. Which of the five SEL competencies (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making) do you think is your strongest superpower right now? Why?
4. Which SEL superpower do you think would be the most helpful for you to practice more? Give an example of how you might use it.
5. Can you think of a time when you saw someone else use one of these SEL superpowers really well? What happened?

Connecting to Real Life

6. How can using SEL skills help you in school? (Think about learning, working with classmates, or talking to your teacher.)
7. How can using SEL skills help you at home or with your friends?
8. The reading mentions that SEL skills are like

SEL Reflection

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Choose ONE of the following and complete it:

1. Write down one new thing you learned about Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) today.
   
   
   
   

   OR

2. What is one SEL skill you want to practice more? How will you try to use it?
   
   
   
   

Thank you for your thoughtful reflections!

SEL Answer Key

SEL Competencies Worksheet - Answer Key

Part 1: Match the Superpower!

1. Self-Awareness b. Knowing your feelings, strengths, and what you need.
2. Self-Management e. Handling your feelings and actions in a helpful way.
3. Social Awareness d. Understanding how others feel and showing kindness.
4. Relationship Skills a. Working well with others and being a good friend.
5. Responsible Decision-Making c. Thinking before you act and making good choices.

Part 2: Which Superpower Are You Using?

1. Maria felt her face get hot and her heart beat fast when her block tower fell down. She knew she was getting angry.
   Superpower: Self-Awareness

2. When David saw his friend drop all his books, David stopped to help him pick them up.
   Superpower: Social Awareness

3. Sarah wanted to watch TV, but she remembered she had to finish her homework first. She chose to do her homework.
   Superpower: Responsible Decision-Making (also Self-Management)

4. After an argument, Leo and Mia talked about their feelings and found a way to play together again.
   Superpower: Relationship Skills

5. Instead of yelling when his toy broke, Alex took a deep breath and asked his mom for help.
   Superpower: Self-Management

Part 3: Think About It!

Answers will vary but should describe an SEL skill and how it helps the student.

SEL Introduction Quiz - Answer Key

1. What does SEL stand for?

   • Correct Answer: Social-Emotional Learning

2. Which SEL superpower means knowing your own feelings and strengths?

   • Correct Answer: Self-Awareness

3. Taking a deep breath when you are angry is an example of which SEL superpower?

   • Correct Answer: Self-Management

4. Understanding how a friend feels when they are sad is an example of which SEL superpower?

   • Correct Answer: Social Awareness

5. Working together with classmates to finish a project shows strong ___ skills.

   • Correct Answer: Relationship Skills

6. Thinking about the good and bad outcomes before making a choice is part of which SEL superpower?

   • Correct Answer: Responsible Decision-Making

7. In your own words, explain why SEL is important.

   • Sample Answer: SEL is important because it helps us understand our feelings, get along with others, and make good choices in life.

SEL Unit Test - Answer Key

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the five core SEL competencies?

   • Correct Answer: Financial Literacy

2. Describe Self-Awareness in your own words and give an example of when you demonstrated this skill.

   • Sample Answer: Self-Awareness is knowing your own feelings, thoughts, and what you're good at. Example: I felt frustrated when my drawing wasn't turning out, and I knew I needed to take a short break.

3. When you calm yourself down after feeling angry, you are using your:

   • Correct Answer: Self-Management

4. Explain the difference between Social Awareness and Relationship Skills. Provide an example for each.

   • Sample Answer: Social Awareness is understanding others' feelings and perspectives (e.g., noticing a friend is sad without them saying anything). Relationship Skills are about how you interact and work with others (e.g., listening to a friend and offering to help them).

5. Which SEL skill involves thinking about consequences before making a choice?

   • Correct Answer: Responsible Decision-Making

6. A classmate is feeling left out during a game. What SEL superpower could you use to help them, and what would you do?

   • Sample Answer: I could use Social Awareness to notice they are feeling left out, and then Relationship Skills to invite them to play or ask them what's wrong.

My SEL Superpower Story/Presentation

Project Goal: To show your understanding of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) by creating a story or presentation about how SEL superpowers can be used in real-life situations.

Due Date: [Insert Due Date Here]

Overview:

You will choose ONE of the five SEL competencies and create a short story, comic strip, or presentation (using drawings, spoken words, or a combination) that shows how a character uses this SEL superpower to solve a problem or help others. This project will help you demonstrate your understanding of the SEL skills and how they are important in everyday life.

The 5 SEL Competencies (Superpowers):

1. Self-Awareness: Knowing your feelings, thoughts, and strengths.
2. Self-Management: Handling your feelings, setting goals, and staying focused.
3. Social Awareness: Understanding how others feel and showing empathy.
4. Relationship Skills: Communicating well, listening, and working with others.
5. Responsible Decision-Making: Making thoughtful and safe choices.

Project Options (Choose ONE):

Option 1: SEL Superpower Story Book

Create a short story book (3-5 pages) where your main character faces a challenge and uses one SEL superpower to overcome it. Your story should have:

• A clear beginning, middle, and end.
• A character who demonstrates one of the 5 SEL competencies.
• Illustrations (drawings) on each page.
• Clear writing that explains the problem and how the SEL superpower helps.

Option 2: SEL Comic Strip

Design a comic strip (6-8 panels) that tells a story about a character using an SEL superpower. Your comic strip should include:

• A title.
• Speech bubbles or captions for dialogue and narration.
• Clear illustrations in each panel that show the story progression.
• A focus on how the chosen SEL superpower is used to resolve a situation.

Option 3: SEL Mini-Presentation

Prepare a short presentation (2-3 minutes) to share with the class. You can use large drawings, posters, or even act out a short scene. Your presentation should:

• Clearly state which SEL superpower you are focusing on.
• Describe a situation where a character uses this superpower.
• Show (through drawings or acting) how the superpower helps.
• Explain why this SEL superpower is important.

Project Steps:

1. Choose your SEL Superpower: Decide which of the five competencies you want to focus on for your project.
2. Brainstorm a Scenario: Think of a real-life situation (at school, home, or with friends) where this superpower would be very useful.
3. Plan your Project: Outline your story, comic, or presentation. What will happen? Who are the characters? How will the superpower be shown?
4. Create your Project: Start drawing, writing, or preparing your presentation materials.
5. Review and Revise: Check your work to make sure it clearly shows the SEL superpower and tells a good story. Does it make sense? Is your spelling correct?
6. Practice (for Presentation Option): If you chose the presentation option, practice what you will say.

What to turn in: Your completed storybook, comic strip, or presentation materials.

Good luck, and have fun showing off your SEL superpowers!

SEL Superpower Story/Presentation Rubric

Student Name: _____________________________

Project Title: _____________________________

Total Score: ________ / 24

Teacher Comments:

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Imagine you have a toolbox, but instead of tools for building things, it's full of tools for life! That's kind of what Social-Emotional Learning, or SEL, is all about. It's how we learn to understand and manage our emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Think about it: Every day, you have feelings, you interact with friends, you face challenges, and you make choices. SEL gives you the skills to handle all of these things in a healthy and successful way.

There are five main parts to SEL, often called the 5 Core Competencies. Let's explore them!

1. Self-Awareness: Knowing Yourself

This is your ability to understand your own emotions, thoughts, and values, and how they influence your behavior. It's like having a superpower that lets you look inside your own mind and heart! A self-aware person can:

• Recognize their feelings: "I feel excited because it's Friday!" or "I'm frustrated because this puzzle is hard."
• Understand their strengths: "I'm good at drawing." or "I'm a patient listener."
• Know what they need: "I need a break when I feel overwhelmed." or "I need to ask for help when I'm stuck."

2. Self-Management: Handling Your Feelings

Once you know what you're feeling, self-management is about how you handle those feelings and actions. It's about being able to control your impulses, manage your stress, and work towards your goals. This superpower helps you stay in charge of yourself! A person with strong self-management skills can:

• Calm down when upset: Taking deep breaths instead of yelling.
• Stay focused: Finishing homework even when they want to play.
• Set and achieve goals: Planning how to save money for a new toy.
• Handle challenges: Not giving up when something is difficult.

3. Social Awareness: Understanding Others

This competency is about understanding the feelings and perspectives of others, especially people from different backgrounds. It's like having an empathy superpower – you can understand what others might be going through! A socially aware person can:

• Empathize with friends: "My friend looks sad; I wonder what happened?"
• Show respect: Listening quietly when someone else is speaking.
• Recognize social cues: Noticing if someone needs help or space.
• Appreciate differences: Understanding that not everyone celebrates the same holidays or has the same beliefs.

4. Relationship Skills: Working with Others

Relationship skills are about how well you get along with other people. This includes communicating clearly, listening, cooperating, and resolving conflicts peacefully. It's your teamwork and friendship superpower! Someone with good relationship skills can:

• Communicate effectively: Clearly explaining their ideas or feelings.
• Listen actively: Paying attention when others talk and asking questions.
• Work as a team: Sharing tasks and supporting group goals.
• Solve disagreements: Talking through problems with friends to find a solution.

5. Responsible Decision-Making: Making Smart Choices

This is your ability to make thoughtful, ethical, and safe choices about your behavior and social interactions. It's your