Social and Emotional Learning Teacher Resources

Learning to manage emotions, establish and keep healthy relationships, make decisions responsibly, and set goals are built into many classrooms already. However, teaching them intentionally- whether through another subject or directly- is where social and emotional learning (SEL) can transform a student's learning experience.

Whether you are new to SEL strategies in your classroom, or simply trying to bolster current practices, we've got you covered! 

Showing 1,561 resources
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Understanding Treaties: Students Explore the Lives of Yakama People Before and After Treaties

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Students analyze treaties made between the US government and Native American tribes. In this government lesson, students evaluate bias emotionally connect with what was gained and lost during the late 1700's. This is a 3 part lesson...
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A Lesson Plan for Elementary School Students

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify characteristics of verbal, physical, emotional and cyberbullying. In this bullying lesson, students gather information about bullying and work in discussion groups to find ways to report and combat bullying. 
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Optimism

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students engage in a lesson to build the character trait of optimism. They use two quotations to begin the class discussion. Students brainstorm to come up with a definition of optimism. Then they read a story that is used as an...
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Respect

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students engage in a lesson that teaches about respect for self and others. They read a story that illustrates the concept of respect. The story follows with questions and a song to help increase comprehension through repetition.
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Truthfulness

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate the concept of truthfulness. They practice the skill through seeing how truth is seen from other perspectives. Students are given a quotation to consider and spend time brainstorming with others about its meaning.
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Values of Peace and Gratitude

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students engage in a lesson plan that focuses on the character trait of being grateful. Its connections to becoming a peaceful person are emphasized by reading a story that helps students to make cognitive connections to the subject.
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My Personal Best

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students persevere to build character. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students consider how to put forth their personal best in all areas of their lives as they participate in a physical activity.
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Valuing the World Around You

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this character education lesson plan, students examine a quote from John Muir regarding the value of nature.
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The Little Star: Learning About Christmas

For Teachers K
Students listen to the story, discuss how Christmas is celebrated, and construct a nativity scene.  In The Little Star activity, students hear the story showing Christmas as a religious festival.  Students act out the story and discuss...
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Everyday Courage

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare scenarios about courage. In this character education lesson, 6th graders discover what it means to be brave. Students analyze scenarios and determine if courage was necessary.
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Social Problems

For Teachers Higher Ed
An adult ESL class brainstorm what they believe to be the major problems in Namibia. In groups, they use the list of problems and put them into the order of the most critical and the reasons why. They research possible solutions and...
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Franklin Says I Love You

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students consider the importance of giving as they read "Franklin Says I Love You". In this character education lesson, students engage in discussion about the importance of sharing and giving. They relate to the story by offering...
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It's Mine Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars read a book called It's Mine! In this lesson about three frogs and sharing, students explore how what they do affects everything around them. Through a series of seven different activities, young scholars interpret the...
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Jewish Heroes Congress

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore Jewish heroes throughout history. In this character development and history lesson plan, students work in groups to research a Jewish hero. A life-size model of the hero is constructed. Students participate in a Jewish...
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Character Education: Honesty

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore traits of honest communication. In this character development and communication lesson, students are given 6 simple statements and work as a group to alter the meaning of each statement through body language, facial...
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First Impressions

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students consider the implications of respect. In this character education lesson, students create a list of attributes that people use to size others up when they first meet them. Students discuss how to show others respect.
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Alabama Learning Exchange

The Five Senses: How They Relate to our World

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners explore the five senses and the significance of each sense. In this five senses and diversity instructional activity, students listen to You Can't Smell a Flower With Your Ear by Joanna Cole and take a walk observing...
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Applying Principles of Civic Liberty

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders relate the everyday duties in the classroom and in the community. In this character education lesson plan, 3rd graders compare duties in the classroom to duties in the community and chart them on a Venn diagram. Students...
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Defining Caring

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders define caring. In this character education lesson, 8th graders examine the attributes of compassion as they discuss altruism, empathy, and selflessness.
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Character Education: Integrity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers understand the definition of integrity and explain quotes about it. In this integrity instructional activity, students apply quotes about integrity to a personal experience and write about it.
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Dishonesty

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore religion and ethics. In this character education lesson, students compare dishonesty and honesty as they consider the ethics of lying. Students consider whether certain lies are more acceptable than others and compare...
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore the concept of self-respect. For this character education lesson, students listen to the original "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" story and listen to the song. Students discuss the meaning of the word underdog and the...
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Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history instructional activity, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and...
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Character Profile

For Teachers Pre-K - 5th
Students exemplify non-stereotypical behavior. In this character education lesson, students read Pink and Say and discuss the negative effects of judging people on superficial characteristics. Students fill in a chart how they felt about...