Morning check-ins: Start each day with a brief check-in activity to help students reflect on their emotions and share how they're feeling with the class. This can be a simple question or prompt, such as "How are you feeling today?" or "What are you looking forward to today?"
Brain breaks: Take brief brain breaks throughout the day to help students refocus and recharge. These breaks can include simple physical activities, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness practices.
Collaborative problem-solving: Encourage students to work together to solve social-emotional challenges that arise throughout the day. This can involve brainstorming solutions as a class, working in small groups, or using peer mediation strategies.
SEL-focused lessons: Incorporate SEL-focused lessons and activities into daily instruction. These lessons can be integrated into existing curriculum, such as using literature or current events to explore social-emotional themes.
Classroom culture: Create a positive classroom culture that prioritizes SEL. This can involve using SEL language and strategies throughout the day, modeling positive social-emotional behaviors, and reinforcing positive social-emotional habits.
Exit slips: At the end of each day, have students complete a brief reflection activity to help them process their emotions and experiences. This can be a simple prompt or question, such as "What was something positive that happened today?" or "What was something that was challenging for you today?"
By making SEL a part of the daily classroom routine, teachers can help students develop important social-emotional skills that will serve them well both in and out of the classroom.
