Lesson Plan
Your SEL Toolkit Lesson Plan
Students will identify and practice various social-emotional learning strategies beyond directly asking for help to navigate challenging situations.
Understanding a range of SEL tools empowers students to independently address personal and social challenges, fostering resilience and self-reliance.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and practical application of SEL strategies.
Materials
SEL Toolkit Slide Deck, SEL Toolkit Warm Up, SEL Strategies Worksheet, Scenario Cards Activity, and SEL Toolkit Cool Down
Prep
Review and Print Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Your SEL Toolkit Lesson Plan, SEL Toolkit Slide Deck, SEL Toolkit Warm Up, SEL Strategies Worksheet, Scenario Cards Activity, and SEL Toolkit Cool Down.
- Print copies of the SEL Strategies Worksheet and Scenario Cards Activity for each student or group.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?
5 minutes
- Begin by presenting the SEL Toolkit Warm Up and asking students: "When you hear 'Social-Emotional Learning' or 'SEL,' what's the first thing that comes to mind?"
- Allow a few students to share their initial thoughts.
- Transition by saying: "Often, 'asking for help' is a big part of SEL, and it's a great tool! But today, we're going to explore that our SEL toolkit is much bigger than just asking for help."
Step 2
Introducing the SEL Toolkit
10 minutes
- Present the SEL Toolkit Slide Deck, focusing on slides that introduce various SEL strategies.
- Discuss each strategy briefly, providing simple examples.
- Encourage students to think about situations where they might use each strategy.
Step 3
Practice with Scenarios
10 minutes
- Distribute the SEL Strategies Worksheet and Scenario Cards Activity.
- Divide students into small groups.
- Each group will choose a scenario card and work together to identify at least two SEL strategies (beyond asking for help) they could use to address the situation, writing their ideas on the worksheet.
- Circulate to provide support and facilitate discussion.
Step 4
Cool-Down: One New Tool
5 minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Conclude by presenting the SEL Toolkit Cool Down and asking students: "What's one new SEL tool you learned about today that you feel confident trying?"
- Allow a few students to share their reflections.
Slide Deck
Your SEL Toolkit: Beyond Asking For Help
Building essential life skills for thriving!
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Emphasize that SEL is a crucial life skill.
What Comes to Mind?
When you hear 'Social-Emotional Learning' (SEL), what's the first thing that comes to mind?
Prompt students with the warm-up question. Encourage initial thoughts and brief sharing. This aligns with the SEL Toolkit Warm Up.
Your Awesome SEL Toolkit
Asking for help is powerful, but your toolkit is HUGE!
It's filled with different tools to help you:
- Understand your feelings
- Manage tough moments
- Get along with others
- Make good choices
Explain that while asking for help is vital, our SEL toolkit contains many other proactive strategies.
Tool #1: Name Your Feeling
Can you put a name to what you're feeling?
- Happy, Sad, Angry, Confused, Excited, Frustrated...
- Giving a name to an emotion helps you understand it and decide what to do next.
Introduce the idea of identifying emotions. Ask students for examples of different emotions.
Tool #2: Take a Deep Breath
When things get tough, your breath is always there for you.
- Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts.
- Hold for 4 counts.
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 counts.
- Repeat a few times!
Introduce deep breathing as a calming strategy. Lead the class in one or two deep breaths.
Tool #3: Power of Self-Talk
What you tell yourself matters!
- Instead of 'I can't do this,' try 'I'll try my best!'
- Instead of 'This is impossible,' try 'What's one small step I can take?'
- Be your own cheerleader!
Discuss positive self-talk. Ask for examples of encouraging things they can say to themselves.
Tool #4: Problem-Solving Steps
When you face a challenge, break it down:
- Identify the Problem: What's really going on?
- Brainstorm Solutions: What are some ways to fix it?
- Choose the Best Solution: Which one works best?
- Try it Out! See what happens.
Briefly explain problem-solving steps. This will lead into the activity.
Time to Practice!
Work in groups to use your new SEL tools!
- Pick a Scenario Card.
- Discuss which SEL tools (beyond asking for help) you could use.
- Write your ideas on the SEL Strategies Worksheet.
Explain the group activity. Refer to the SEL Strategies Worksheet and Scenario Cards Activity.
One New Tool
What's one new SEL tool you learned about today that you feel confident trying out?
Conclude with the cool-down question, prompting reflection. This aligns with the SEL Toolkit Cool Down.
Warm Up
SEL Toolkit Warm Up
When you hear "Social-Emotional Learning" (SEL), what's the first thing that comes to mind?
Why do you think SEL is important for students your age?
Worksheet
SEL Strategies Worksheet
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Applying Your SEL Toolkit
With your group, choose a Scenario Card. Discuss the situation and identify at least two SEL strategies (from our discussion today, beyond just asking for help) that you could use to navigate it. Explain how each strategy would help.
Chosen Scenario:
Briefly describe the scenario your group picked:
SEL Strategy #1:
Name of Strategy:
How would this strategy help in the chosen scenario?
SEL Strategy #2:
Name of Strategy:
How would this strategy help in the chosen scenario?
Bonus Strategy (Optional):
Can you think of another SEL tool that might be useful here?
How would it help?
Activity
Scenario Cards Activity
Cut out these cards and use them in your group to practice applying your SEL toolkit.
Scenario Card 1: The Group Project Pressure
You're working on a group project, and one of your teammates isn't pulling their weight. The deadline is approaching fast, and you're worried about your grade. You feel a mix of frustration and anxiety.
Scenario Card 2: Social Media Drama
You see a post on social media that makes fun of a classmate. You know it's not right, and it makes you uncomfortable, but you don't want to get involved or draw attention to yourself.
Scenario Card 3: A Confusing Conversation
During a conversation with a friend, you feel like they misunderstood something important you said, and now they seem upset. You're not sure how to clarify without making things worse.
Scenario Card 4: Unexpected Setback
You studied really hard for a test, but when you get your grade back, it's much lower than you expected. You feel disappointed and discouraged about your abilities.
Scenario Card 5: Peer Pressure Dilemma
Your friends are planning to do something that you know is against school rules and could get you all into trouble. They're pressuring you to join in, and you don't want to be left out, but you also don't want to break the rules.
Cool Down
SEL Toolkit Cool Down
What is one new SEL tool or strategy you learned about today that you feel confident trying out in the future?
How do you think having a bigger SEL toolkit can help you in your daily life?