PROGRAM D: 7th GRADE & 8th GRADE
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING - SEL
Social Emotional Learning, also known as SEL, is about teaching children the essential skills to effectively become aware and manage emotions, make good decisions and develop healthy social and relationship skills. The science and data behind the effectiveness of incorporating SEL, with mindfulness in particular, into daily activities is solid. Parents and teachers alike report a “flow” at home and in the classroom, a remarkable increase in positive social interactions, responsible behaviors, focused attention, creative problem solving and learning engagement.
 
PROGRAM E: For Grades 7th - 8th with Social Emotional Learning Activities, SEL Assessment, SEL Lesson Plans, Bulletin Board Activities, Whole Group Lessons, Anchor Chart & Posters, Student Self Assessment, Worksheets, ELA Writing Activities, Vocabulary, Projects, Mindfulness Activities
 
Imagine teaching engaged children who are confident, relaxed, with agency over their own learning and behavior, in a classroom where they feel valued with a sense of belonging…We are here to help you achieve that dream.
 
UNIT 1: EMBRACING OUR FEELINGS 
(4 Lesson Plans / 4 weeks)
IN EACH LESSON:
Each lesson is a thoughtful mix of instruction and student-centered activities including:
Assessment: - before each lesson so that you can be assured that your plans are developmentally appropriate, offer you the flexibility to accommodate varied competencies.
Lesson Plans: - guided instruction suggestions, materials needed, learning outcomes, assessment questions, visual display page with student sample work, lesson prompts and bulletin board materials.
Lively Discussions: - lesson include discussion prompts and dialog suggestion with captivating illustrations, story prompts, bulletin board displays, anchor charts to keep the focus on the topic and flowing.
Activities: Mindfulness and SEL group activities encourage collaboration and problem solving. Fun journalling and pop-up activities encourage creativity and individuality.
Mindfulness: - each unit includes mindfulness practices that are easy, engaging and came be continued at home, after school, in nature or in any setting.
Integration into other Academic Content: - Bulletin board displays offer countless opportunities to integrate with ELA. Each unit includes journal writing, vocabulary development, culturally responsive books for the classroom library, storytelling and story writing.
 
Covers 18 Social Emotional Competencies
Self-Awareness: “I know myself and I know what I need for myself from others” Students…
understand that feelings and thoughts are information they can use without the need to judge them
can identify how thought patterns can contribute to underlying causes of emotions and feelings
can label, with specificity, their emotions, sensations and complex feelings and the feeling’s intensity
identify when they feel stressed or anxious and what may trigger emotions or feelings
are aware they may experience more than one emotion, feeling and sensation at the same time
can recognize how emotions affect their body and where they experience them in their body and brain
can recognize that understanding brain parts is a strength and use their brain to overcome challenges
identify needs and assess if their needs are being met. Identify feelings that point to a need
 
Self-Management: “I am in charge of myself and I can calm myself when I need to”
Students...
can use tools, like journaling to self-monitor emotions, feelings thoughts and actions
explore the difference between emotional suppression and how to channel emotions productively
practice mindfulness by redirecting and focusing attention on the breath and body
identify needs and strategies that can calm them and use simple stress management practices
can work on reframing feelings before acting on them
identify people and situations that can calm them and use simple stress management practices
 
Social Awareness: “I care about other people and want to help create a supportive place to grow and learn”
Students…
can show curiosity about other people’s feelings by striving to understand their unique experiences
 
Relationship Skills: “I can build good friendships and relationships by learning how to listen, share ideas and work together.”
Students…
engage in respectful negotiation for inclusion when contributing their ideas for a group project
engage in respectful listening & communication for inclusion when others are sharing their journals entries
use collaboration strategies to communicate their perspective and listen openly to perspectives of others
 
Responsible Decisions: “I make choices that reflect my needs, values and responsibilities."
Students…
demonstrate curiosity and open-mindedness when working with diverse populations
identify essential steps in a stress management practice to be used to solve a problem.
generate multiple feasible solutions for a personal problem and apply strategies to overcome it
can identify the impacts of choices and anticipate the most likely consequence for their own actions
 
ACTIVITIES:
Everything You Need to Make This Easy!
Mindful Meditation Activity: "Let Clouds Go By”
Breathing Poster “Let Clouds Go By”
“Let Clouds Go By” Meditation Writing Activity
“Social Emotional Learning Journal" Cover Notebook Activity
Board Display Labels
80 Emotion, Sensation, and Feeling Word Cards
"Feeling Zone" Chart
"Feeling Zone" Vocabulary Dictionary
"Feeling Zone" Self Awareness Journaling Activity
Student Self-Assessment: Identify Emotions and Link them to Mind & Body
Color Chart Labels
28 Emotions and Feelings Illustration Cards
"The Brain: Every Part Has a Job" Anchor Chart Activity
"My Brain Has Many Jobs" Outline and Writing Activity
Labels, Diagrams and Photographs for White Board
"Student Brain Stories"
"Primary Need" Dog Photographs
"Feelings in All of Us” Bulletin Board Display
"Feelings Detective Clue Chart"
"I Am a Feelings Detective" Journal Activity and Graphic Organizer
12 Group Discussion "Situation" Cards with Dog Photographs
 
RESOURCES INCLUDED:
The Mindful Toolbox Suggestions for Student Reading
Black and White Originals of Unit Pages