How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

The pandemic has shed light on the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools, though educators have recognized its value in the classroom for years. In HMH’s 6th annual Educator Confidence Report, published in 2020 in collaboration with YouGov, 77% of educators expressed concerns about students’ social and emotional well-being, and 94% agreed that students need more SEL support.

Nearly overnight in March 2020, as schools closed and turned to remote learning, the well-being of students beyond their academic success became a major concern for teachers and administrators—and it will continue to be viewed as such moving forward. Beyond the pandemic, factors such as the prevalence of social media and a widespread focus on mental health and classroom climate have made SEL a priority in many districts.

If you’re looking to implement an SEL curriculum, you can start with these social and emotional learning activities.

SEL Activities and Lesson Plans

The following SEL lesson plans for students in elementary school through high school include writing prompts, downloadable posters, worksheets, reading lists, and more. With these activities and social and emotional lessons, you can help students build the skills needed for success in and out of the classroom.

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Discover more great social emotional-emotional learning resources for teachers.

Learn more about HMH Into Reading(Grades K–6) and HMH Into Literature (Grades 6–12), which have SEL lesson plans and support built into the curriculum.

The views expressed in our blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.

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How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Growing Kindness In Ourselves and Others

Lesson Plan

Growing Kindness In Ourselves and Others

Circle up! In this lesson, students will use the circle structure to explore how they can grow kindness inside of themselves and in others.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Changing 'I Can't' to 'I Can't Yet'

Lesson Plan

Changing 'I Can't' to 'I Can't Yet'

In this lesson, students will explore phrases related to growth mindset through the eyes of basketball player Michael Jordan. They will hear a story about Jordan overcoming his self-doubts and reflect on ways they can approach challenges.

2nd grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Mindfulness & Creation Stations

Lesson Plan

Mindfulness & Creation Stations

In this lesson, students will move through stations to practice and reflect on the mindfulness and social emotional learning tools that they have learned throughout the year.

2nd grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Yoga Flow

Lesson Plan

Yoga Flow

In this lesson, students will learn self-regulation techniques and be guided through yoga stretches and movements. Then, they will write about how yoga makes them feel and how it may help reduce stress.

2nd grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Mindfulness: A Home Inside

Lesson Plan

Mindfulness: A Home Inside

We all have our own home of feelings inside, like a shell that we can tuck into when needed. This we learn from turtles, and now your students can too. This lesson helps students access that place inside full of feelings, emotions, and thoughts.

Preschool

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Caring for Our Classroom Community

Lesson Plan

Caring for Our Classroom Community

In this lesson, students will discuss what it means to care for others, practice heartfulness and create a kindness bear puppet.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

The Giving Earth

Lesson Plan

The Giving Earth

The Earth is constantly giving us clean water, shelter, food, and so much more! Through this lesson, students will learn about how nature is always giving and discuss ways we can appreciate and take care of our environment.

4th grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Emotion Charades

Lesson Plan

Emotion Charades

Help your ELs practice identifying how their peers are feeling to develop emotions vocabulary and support comprehension. It can be used as a stand-alone lesson or a support lesson.

2nd grade

Reading & Writing

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Problem-Solving Steps

Lesson Plan

Problem-Solving Steps

In this lesson, students will learn the steps in solving a problem, discuss solutions from the story "Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present," and use these same problem-solving skills when they build shapes with pattern blocks.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Mindfulness: The Present Moment

Lesson Plan

Mindfulness: The Present Moment

Mindfulness 101! Students focus on the present moment using their senses to observe what is happening right now. They are introduced to the idea that mindfulness is about paying attention to the present.

Preschool

Reading & Writing

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Learning How to be a Good Friend

Lesson Plan

Learning How to be a Good Friend

In this lesson, students will learn how to be a good friend. The class will generate guidelines on friendship and create a friendship collage.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Empathy

Lesson Plan

Empathy

In this lesson, students will explore and discuss the term "empathy" by hearing stories from two different perspectives and identifying the feelings of each of the characters. They will also discuss what it means to be true to ourselves.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Learning How to Practice Gratitude

Lesson Plan

Learning How to Practice Gratitude

It all starts with gratitude. In this lesson, students will reflect on what they are grateful for and create a gratitude card and web of gratitude.

2nd grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

The Sound of Silence

Lesson Plan

The Sound of Silence

Students will read a story and listen to a song to explore the sound of silence, its meaning, and significance. They will share their experience and reflect on how and why silence or space can be important.

4th grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Growth Mindset

Lesson Plan

Growth Mindset

In this lesson, students will watch a video on growth mindset and work in pairs to share their ideas about growth vs. fixed mindsets. They will then collaborate to design their own skits about growth vs. fixed mindsets.

4th grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Positive Role Models

Lesson Plan

Positive Role Models

Positive role models can have a powerful impact on individuals and society. In this lesson, students will reflect on the term "positive role model," discuss positive role models in their lives, and research positive role models in history.

4th grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Elaborating on My Feelings

Lesson Plan

Elaborating on My Feelings

Identifying and describing their feelings is an important part of the way children develop social skills. This lesson teaches your students how to identify feelings, and then elaborate on them by speaking and writing in complete sentences.

2nd grade

Reading & Writing

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Exploring Emotions

Lesson Plan

Exploring Emotions

Emotions are natural and temporary, just like passing clouds, rain, or the shining sun. In this lesson, students learn how to be mindful of their emotions and discuss how emotions change, just like the weather.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Expressing Our Feelings

Lesson Plan

Expressing Our Feelings

In this lesson, students will identify and practice different ways emotions can be expressed through faces, gestures, and movements. They'll also learn how to practice mindful breathing to manage strong emotions and self-regulate.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Special Talents

Lesson Plan

Special Talents

In this lesson, students will work in groups and cut out pictures to make a collage that encapsulates their greatest strengths and talents. The class will compile all their collages to showcase their talents.

2nd grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Learning How to Listen

Lesson Plan

Learning How to Listen

In this lesson students, learn how to listen and practice community-building skills using the circle process. This lesson helps build community and establish norms for how students communicate with each other.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Learning How to Practice Peace

Lesson Plan

Learning How to Practice Peace

In this lesson, students will learn how to practice peace when they feel hurt or have a disagreement. These steps can be followed whenever conflict arises in the classroom.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Appreciating Diversity

Lesson Plan

Appreciating Diversity

Everyone belongs and is welcome in this lesson on diversity and inclusion. Students will hear a story and learn a song connected to welcoming and including others.

Kindergarten

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

Mindfulness: Mindful Listening

Lesson Plan

Mindfulness: Mindful Listening

Owls hear so well that they can hunt in the dark. Have your students try on their owl ears! In this lesson, students open up their ears to all the sounds around them, close and far away, and go on a sound hunt.

Preschool

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you include SEL in a lesson plan?

What Makes an Awesome Leader?

Lesson Plan

What Makes an Awesome Leader?

What makes an excellent leader? In this lesson, students will discuss leadership and design a video that informs others of what it means to be a positive leader.

2nd grade

Social emotional

Lesson Plan

How do you incorporate a SEL in a lesson?

Here are 25 ways to integrate social emotional learning into your classroom:.
Use Journal Writing. ... .
Use Read Alouds. ... .
Do Daily Greetings. ... .
Hold Class Meetings. ... .
Incorporate Art Activities. ... .
Talk About Managing Emotions. ... .
Give Responsibilities. ... .
Practice Problem-Solving Skills..

What is SEL lesson plan?

Social emotional learning (SEL) is a methodology that focuses on helping students connect with their emotions. Through this curriculum, students learn to identify their emotions and fully experience them. As a result, they empathize easier with others, make responsible decisions, and build meaningful relationships.

How will you insert social emotional learning in the classroom?

How to Incorporate Social-Emotional Learning in Your Classroom.
Be Present and Observant. In order to figure out what my students are struggling with, I have to be present and observant. ... .
Create a Supportive Atmosphere. ... .
Share Life Experiences. ... .
Stimulate Discussion. ... .
Give Your Students the Opportunity to Practice..

What are the 5 core components of SEL?

The Five Core SEL Competencies.
Self-Awareness..
Self-Management..
Social Awareness..
Relationship Skills..
Responsible Decision-Making..