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CASEL
Relationship Skills

Relationship Skills

Discover a curated collection of free resources dedicated to building strong relationship skills as outlined by CASEL. Educators, students, and parents will find practical lessons, interactive activities, and real-world examples to foster communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Empower learners to form healthy connections and thrive socially, both in and out of the classroom.

Communication Skills

Cooperation & Teamwork

Conflict Resolution

Healthy Boundaries

Peer Support & Allyship


Suggested Resources

How Do We Build Bridges?

Tier 1

4th Grade Class

60 mins

This whole-class lesson invites students to explore empathy and effective communication through collaborative bridge-building challenges, strengthening peer connections and trust.

Team Talk

Tier 2

6th Grade Group

45 mins

A small-group intervention focusing on active listening and conflict resolution role-plays, helping students practice respectful dialogue in safe scenarios.

Friendship Factors

Tier 3

8th Grade Student

30 mins

An individualized workbook guiding students to self-reflect on their social strengths and set goals for improving trust and cooperation with peers.

Connections Count

Tier 1

3rd Grade Class

50 mins

A one-day classroom module where students learn nonverbal cues and body language by decoding messages in fun charades-style games.

Why Does Tone Matter?

Tier 2

7th Grade Group

40 mins

A focused group workshop teaching tone awareness in spoken and written communication, improving clarity and kindness in peer interactions.

Listening Skills

Tier 1

5th Grade Class

30 mins

A fast-paced class session with interactive listening drills and partner interviews to strengthen attention, paraphrasing, and feedback skills.

Secrets of Trust

Tier 3

9th Grade Student

35 mins

A private mentorship packet guiding individual students through trust-building activities, journal prompts, and personalized feedback loops.

Collaborate!

Tier 2

10th Grade Group

90 mins

A small-group project guide that challenges students to co-design a community service campaign, emphasizing cooperation, delegation, and shared leadership.

Mirror Moves

Tier 1

2nd Grade Class

20 mins

An interactive warm-up to sharpen nonverbal empathy: students mirror partners’ expressions and gestures, building awareness of subtle relationship cues.

Positive Peer Pressure

Tier 2

8th Grade Group

50 mins

A small-group discussion and scenario analysis on influencing friends constructively, teaching students to support peers toward healthy choices.

Connection Compass

Tier 1

6th Grade Class

55 mins

A classroom toolkit where students map their social network strengths and plan ways to deepen friendships through goal setting and peer check-ins.

Respect Signals

Tier 1

4th Grade Class

40 mins

A dynamic class segment teaching students to identify and send respect signals through tone, eye contact, and words, boosting classroom culture.

Community Resources

Community Resources

Friendship Skills

This is a 30-minute Tier 2 small-group workshop for 6th graders focused on CASEL Relationship Skills—empathy and cooperation. Students will engage in interactive activities to practice perspective-taking, collaborate on role-play challenges, and reflect on supportive peer interactions.

Tier 2
5/13
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Karen Sullivan

S

MA Counselor, Social Worker, Behavior Interventionist

Friendship Check-Up

A quick 15-minute pre-test to gauge 5th graders’ relationship skills aligned with CASEL standards, helping tailor future social-emotional lessons. This Tier 1 activity provides teachers with baseline data on students’ collaboration, empathy, and communication abilities.

Tier 1
7/29

malane

Psychologist

The Heart of Healthy Relationships

This lesson teaches middle school students essential conflict resolution and communication skills to foster healthy peer interactions and understanding. Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and clear assessment criteria, students will develop empathy and practical strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully.

Tier 1
5/21
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Patty Allen

E

CA Social Worker

The Power of Positive Connections

Students explore how building and nurturing positive connections supports their emotional and social well-being. This 1-session lesson for middle schoolers uses interactive activities to strengthen relationship skills and self-awareness.

Tier 1
8/22
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mschwartz

S

MA Social Worker

Heart to Heart SEL

In this 5-session social-emotional learning unit for 5th graders, students will build core CASEL competencies—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and reflection. Each 30-minute lesson is Tier 1 whole-class friendly, requires minimal prep, and helps students develop skills for better emotional regulation, empathy, and collaboration.

Tier 1
Monday
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Jamie Sjonell

e

NJ Counselor

Building Positive Relationships

This lesson focuses on helping students identify the characteristics of positive relationships and develop strategies to be assertive in the face of peer pressure. By understanding these concepts, students will be better equipped to make informed decisions and maintain healthy relationships. This lesson is important as it empowers students to recognize and cultivate positive influences in their lives, fostering a supportive and respectful environment.

Tier 1
2/25
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Mayra Mendoza Saenz

q

TX Counselor

CASEL in Action

In this 30-minute Tier 1 session, clinical staff will learn strategies to facilitate small groups teaching the CASEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. This session equips staff with practical group activities and discussion guides to enhance social-emotional learning in their settings.

Tier 1
Thursday

semielke

S

MA Counselor

How Do Emotions Drive Success?

An interactive lesson exploring CASEL’s five competencies and their impact on college and career readiness, fostering self-awareness and goal setting for 12th graders. This Tier 1 classroom-wide session helps students recognize and leverage their emotions for future success in a single 50-minute session.

Tier 1
6/3

Kerry Robinson

Instructor

Restoring Relationships: Teaching Empathy

This lesson equips adults with strategies to teach children how to restore relationships after negative interactions. By focusing on empathy and understanding, adults will learn how to guide children in resolving conflicts and rebuilding trust. This lesson is important as it empowers educators and caregivers to foster a supportive environment where children can learn essential social-emotional skills.

Tier 1
2/25
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Alicia Gutierrez

q

TX Counselor

Ready, Set, Connect!

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 7th graders, students will learn essential relationship skills—empathy, active listening, and healthy communication—through engaging activities. By the end, they’ll be better equipped to build positive connections with peers and navigate social interactions with confidence.

Tier 1
Tuesday
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Michele Burgess

p

TN Special Education Teacher

Values and Emotional Intelligence

This lesson introduces middle school students to the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its importance in personal and academic success. Through a video and a guided activity, students will explore the four key skills of EI: perceiving, using, understanding, and managing emotions. This lesson is crucial as it helps students develop self-awareness and empathy, which are foundational for building strong values and relationships.

Tier 1
2/25
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Marcus Virgil

a

NC Behavior Interventionist

Unlocking CASEL Insights

In this 15-minute session, adult learners will explore the CASEL framework for social-emotional learning, understand its five core competencies, and discuss how to integrate SEL into their educational settings. This lesson empowers educators with a shared language and practical strategies to support students’ social-emotional development.

Tier 1
Tuesday
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bsweeney

S

MA General Education Teacher

Building Blocks of Healthy Relationships

This lesson focuses on the essential elements of healthy relationships, such as communication, trust, and mutual respect. Through interactive scenarios and guided discussions, students will learn to identify and cultivate these components in their relationships. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills that are vital for personal and interpersonal growth.

Tier 1
2/25
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Loren Baccari

S

MA Counselor

Caring Connections

This lesson introduces 6th graders to the importance of interpersonal skills and characteristics of caring, such as empathy, kindness, and courtesy. Through a brief discussion, activity, and worksheet, students will explore how these skills impact personal relationships. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills that enhance students' ability to form positive relationships and understand others' perspectives.

Tier 1
2/25

Rhett Lange

q

TX Counselor

Who’s in Your Circle?

An interactive lesson that guides 6th graders to identify and appreciate their peer, family, and mentor relationships, building empathy and trust through mapping exercises. This 50-minute, Tier 1 lesson equips students with relationship skills aligned with CASEL standards, using hands-on activities and reflective discussion.

Tier 1
5/22

木白

E

CA Parent

Ready Set Connect

This 5-session group intervention helps 10th graders develop key social skills—active listening, assertive communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and teamwork—through engaging activities and practice. These 30-minute sessions build essential interpersonal abilities to support students in all areas of life and boost their social confidence.

Tier 2
5/12

Christina Sakelarakis

S

MA Psychologist

Connected Classrooms

Students will partner up to interview each other and co-create digital boards showcasing their peer’s strengths, building relationship skills aligned with CASEL competencies. This Tier 1, one-session (60-minute) lesson for a 5th grade class fosters empathy, communication, and teamwork through interactive, technology-driven activities.

Tier 1
8/21
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Gina Vondwingelo

r

UT General Education Teacher

Emotional Intelligence in Relationships

This lesson focuses on helping students recognize and manage their emotions in intimate relationships through self-reflection exercises and empathy-building tasks. By developing emotional intelligence, students can improve their interpersonal skills, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. This lesson is crucial for fostering responsible and productive citizens.

Tier 1
2/25
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Brittney Bullard

a

NC Social Worker

Empathy in Action

In this 30-minute session, high school students will explore key social-emotional learning (SEL) skills—self-awareness, empathy, and relationship building—through engaging activities and bilingual supports in English and Haitian Creole. This lesson is important because it equips students with tools to recognize emotions, build empathy across cultures, and create a supportive classroom community.

Tier 1
8/14
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Emy Valcin

S

MA Social Worker

Building Bridges: Healthy Relationships

This lesson focuses on teaching students about healthy relationships and effective communication. Through experiential and game-based learning, students will engage in activities that promote understanding and practice of these skills. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills that are essential for lifelong success in personal and professional relationships.

Tier 1
2/25
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Andrea Gillis

S

MA General Education Teacher

Building Healthy Relationships

This lesson introduces 8th-grade students to the concept of healthy relationships by exploring mutual respect, trust, and communication. Students will learn to identify the characteristics of a healthy relationship and discuss how these can prevent relationship violence. This lesson is important as it equips students with the knowledge to foster positive interactions and recognize unhealthy patterns, promoting their social and emotional well-being.

Tier 1
2/25
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Temi Kufeji

h

NY Counselor

Building Healthy Relationships

This lesson explores the characteristics of healthy relationships and their contribution to mental well-being. Through role-plays and group discussions, students will identify key traits of healthy relationships and reflect on their importance. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills and promoting mental health awareness among students.

Tier 1
2/25
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Matthew Malowski

S

MA Counselor

Quick Connect: Supportive Relationships

In this brief session, students will explore the core elements of supportive relationships and engage in an activity to identify supportive figures in their lives. This lesson is important as it helps students recognize the value of supportive relationships in enhancing their well-being, fostering a sense of belonging, and building resilience.

Tier 1
2/25

Rebecca Thompson

S

MA General Education Teacher

Healthy Relationships and Communication

In this lesson, students will explore the components of healthy relationships and effective communication through interactive activities. This is important for building social-emotional skills, conflict resolution abilities, and fostering respectful interactions among peers.

Tier 1
2/25

Diana Lopez

l

PA Instructor

Our SEL Check-In

In this two-session Tier 1 SEL lesson for PreK–5, students explore the five CASEL competencies through an interactive survey and reflective quiz. These 10-minute sessions help teachers gauge students’ social-emotional strengths and growth areas, fostering self-awareness and responsible decision-making in a supportive classroom environment.

Tier 1
8/5
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Destony Stewart

h

NY School Administrator

Our SEL Check-In

In this two-session Tier 1 SEL lesson for PreK–5, students explore the five CASEL competencies through an interactive survey and reflective quiz. These 10-minute sessions help teachers gauge students’ social-emotional strengths and growth areas, fostering self-awareness and responsible decision-making in a supportive classroom environment.

Tier 1
8/19
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Shelly Thomas

q

TX Counselor

Friendship Detectives

In this 30-minute kinder lesson, students will explore relationship skills by identifying and practicing friendship qualities. Using story, video, activities, and a fun game, learners will build empathy, sharing, and cooperation. Perfect for classroom-wide Tier 1 support.

Tier 1
6/16
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Olivia Rutledge

q

TX Counselor

Circle of Trust

In this 30-minute, 7th grade Tier 1 lesson, students learn core relationship skills—communication, empathy, and trust-building—through interactive activities. Strengthening these skills helps students navigate friendships and conflicts positively.

Tier 1
8/15
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Christie Smith

C

AR Special Education Teacher