Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL Kernel

  • SEL Kernels are short, flexible, easy-to-use strategies and routines that build social and emotional skills. Each Kernel is designed to target a specific skill or competency, such as emotion knowledge, perspective-taking, or conflict resolution.

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  • Join us each month for a new theme and activities to work with your students! This month's theme is #AltruisticAugust

    #AltruisticAugust Quote of the Month:

    “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

    John Wesley

  • Week 1: Action for Happiness Calendar #AltrusticAugust

    https://actionforhappiness.org/sites/default/files/Aug%202025.jpg

    This month is all about giving your time and showing care for those around you. There are selfless acts you can do, such as volunteering at a local animal shelter or holding the door for someone without expecting anything in return. These acts of kindness can be big or small, but each one makes a difference in someone else’s day.

    Week 2: Circle of Compliments

    The Circle of Compliments is an interactive activity where students will sit in a circle facing one another. One student begins by complimenting the person on their right. The compliment can be based on observations from past interactions or general traits about the person. Once everyone has given and received a compliment, you all can come together as a group to discuss how these affirmations made them feel.

    Week 3: Charity Challenge

    Have youth break into teams for the Charity Challenge and ask each team to identify a local charity or social issue they would like to address. As a team, have them brainstorm ways they could contribute to the causes such as fundraising, volunteering, or raising awareness. Once each team has chosen a local charity and decided how they will contribute, they will present their plans to the group. After all the presentations, participants can vote on which plan they would like to pursue together.

    Week 4: Collaborative Storytelling

    Encourage students to story tell together as they sit in a circle and take turns contributing to a story about altruism or cooperation. The story should reflect values such as kindness or fostering connections among characters. This activity also enhances creativity and teamwork skills.

    Week 5: Create a Kindness Corner

    An ongoing altruistic activity is setting up a bulletin board in a corner of your program space or designating a blank area of wall for a Kindness Corner. Throughout the program year, students can add clippings from newsletters, newspapers, or magazines that highlight stories of altruism in the community or across the country. Additionally, students are encouraged to share their own experiences with altruism or their plans for future experiences with altruism.

SEL Video of the Month


  • What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and how can I be part of this?

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

  • What is Social-Emotional Learning and why does it matter?

    Per CASEL, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) reflects the critical role of positive relationships and emotional connections in the learning process and helps students develop a range of skills they need for school and life.SEL Framework by CASEL

SEL Resources

  • I Am Poem Template

  • As the pandemic continues, kids are turning to meditation to manage anxiety

  • SEL skills include the ability to:

    •  set and achieve positive goals
    •  feel and show empathy for others
    •  establish and maintain positive relationships
    •  make responsible decisions
    •  understand and manage emotions

     

    All of these skills are necessary—both for educators and students—to function well in the classroom, in the community, and in college and careers.

    Visit the CASEL Interactive SEL Framework to learn more about the CASEL Wheel  (above)

Previous Monthly Themes

  • July 2025—#JumpBackUpJuly

  • June 2025—#JoyfulJune

  • May 2025—#MeaningfulMay

  • April 2025—#ActiveApril

  • March 2025—#MindfulMarch

  • February 2025—#FriendlyFebruary

  • December 2024—#DoGoodDecember

  • November 2024—#NewWaysNovember

  • October 2024—#OptimisticOctober

  • September 2024—#Self-CareSeptember

  • August 2024—#AltruisticAugust

  • May 2024—#MeaningfulMay

  • April 2024 - #ActiveApril

  • March 2024 - #MindfulMarch

  • January 2024 - #HappierJanuary