Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

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

    #MeaningfulMay Quote of the Month:

    “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

    Muhammad Ali

  • Week 1: Action for Happiness Calander #MeaningfulMay

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

    We matter every day. But how often do we stop and take the opportunity to “be” in the moment of our daily lives? With easy access to technology, we often find ourselves viewing those moments behind the lens instead of taking the opportunity to “be” in the moment. Take the opportunity this month to “be” in the moment. To “be” intentional with your everyday life. #MeaningfulMay #Intentionality #Beinthemoment

     

    Week 2: Self-Made Awards

    In your afterschool program, have students reflect on their personal accomplishments and areas of growth. Have students create a specialized award for themselves. For example, a student may reward themselves with “The Spirit Award,” for showing team spirit and energy throughout the year. Then, give students an opportunity to share their award with their peers, family members, and community members during a special afterschool showcase. #MeaningfulMay #Reflection #CelebrateYourself

     

    Week 3: Make a Smile Pile

    Encourage your students to capture moments that make them smile by writing them down and submitting them to the Smile Pile, a bucket students fill with handwritten notes.  If students include their name on the note, they can share their positive moment with the program, whereas anonymous slips are kept private. You can set aside a time each week to read and share the notes within your program. #MeaningfulMay #PositiveNotes

     

    Week 4: Sharing Gratitude Stories

    One way to reflect on gratitude is by sharing gratitude stories (link of the activity) with a partner in your afterschool program. Ask each student to think about a time they felt grateful. Then each student pairs up with a partner and takes turns sharing their experiences.  Once students are in pairs, students decide on who will ask the questions and then who will answer. After the first person has shared their story, they switch roles. Finally, have each student record their feelings in a word web. #MeaningfulMay #StoryTime #Gratitude

     

    Week 5: What motivates you? Inspiring Quotes

    Quotes can be a useful way to initiate reflection because there is an ample supply of them, they are often brief yet inspiring, and they can sometimes be interpreted in multiple ways. Post meaningful and inspiring quotes around your area. Have youth to quietly walk round and read each quote. Then, have students reflect and discuss their quote. Some meaning and inspirational quotes are listed below. #MeaningfulMay #Inspiration

     

    “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin

    “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss

    “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”  — Thomas Edison

     “Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” –Maya Angelou

    “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” —Albert Einstein

    “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” —Abraham Lincoln

     

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

  • 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

  • December 2023 - #DoGoodDecember

  • November 2023 - #NewWaysNovember

  • October 2023 - #OptimisticOctober