This back to school social emotional learning activities resource is filled with first week of school lesson plans for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. Build classroom community and friendships, share all about me, and encourage kindness and empathy using engaging activities (games, coloring pages, writing prompts, and worksheets) during the most important time of year!
⭐What is the scope and sequence?
- 4 weeks of SEL lessons and activities in 4 themes for the start of school.
- There are 5+ lessons and activities for each theme.
❤️Weekly themes include:
- community building
- all about me (building confidence & self-esteem)
- relationships
- kindness & empathy
✏️Theme #1: Community Building
Start building classroom community on day one with these lessons and activities. They encourage respect for one another, forming connections, and appreciation for others and their differences.
Lessons & Activities:
- Quote poster to hang and coloring pages
- Classroom contract & back to school bulletin board
- Ice breaker games
- Role play scenario task cards
- 'All Are Welcome' book companion & writing activity
- Classroom book
✏️Theme #2: All About Me
Get to know each other better and help children feel more comfortable in the classroom with these lessons, activities, and routines that encourage understanding, confidence to grow, and identities to form.
Lessons & Activities:
- Quote poster to hang and/or color
- Star Student of the Week writing and crown
- 'This School Year Will be the Best' book & goal writing activity
- Self-portrait photograph with writing art activity
- All About Me Bag or Box activity
- 'Get to Know Me' discussion cards
- Welcome to School banner and pennant
✏️Theme #3: Relationships
Begin to build friendships and relationships in the classroom through lessons and activities that permit children to focus on learning and getting to know one another and the teachers while thriving in the new classroom environment.
Lessons & Activities:
- Quote poster to hang and/or color
- 'A Good Friend' anchor chart & writing
- Friendship wreath
- 'How to Get Your Teacher Ready' book & how-to writing activity
- Interview a Friend
- Friendship Scavenger Hunt
- Friendship BINGO
✏️Theme #4: Kindness & Empathy
Empathy and kindness are particularly significant topics to start teaching children about at the start of school. These lessons and activities will guide kids to act with kindness and compassion when interacting throughout the day.
Lessons & Activities:
- Quote poster to hang and/or color
- 'The Day You Begin' book & writing lesson
- Board game
- Role-play scenario task cards
- Kindness Challenge - calendar & awards
- Wrinkled heart lesson
DIGITAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: Many of the activities from the printable version have been created in a digital version. These are ready in Google Slides for use in Google Classroom. The digital pages are great for use when teaching online or whole group!
✅Check out the preview for a closer look at what this resource provides: the types of mini-lessons, topics, activities, digital activities, and more.
⭐I suggest teaching one lesson/activity per day. They can be easily integrated into your morning meeting, read aloud time, writing block, or during brain breaks and transitions. This resource was made with the K-2 classroom teacher in mind, but work well with any childhood educator, homeschool parent, or school counselors working with groups of children.
❤️Why start the year with social-emotional learning?
The beginning of the school year is important for teaching social and emotional skills. Teaching these early will help set a positive tone for the year in your classroom. Kids will begin to feel a part of the classroom community, have a stronger sense of self, and be better prepared to handle the challenges they face throughout the year.
⭐Grab the bundle & SAVE $$$ - over 50% off!⭐️
The mind+heart Social Emotional Learning Seasonal Activities BUNDLE (Back to School, Fall, Winter, Spring, & End of the Year) is available for a SPECIAL DISCOUNT. Get your school year’s worth of seasonal lessons and activities (20 themed weeks) to weave into your monthly lesson plans TODAY! ♥♥
TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good Morning Miss Jess says, "Could not rate this resource any higher. I have used this pack to fully plan our first few weeks of the school term. I love how it is broken into key areas for students to get know each other, work on social skills, build friendship and establish a safe and cohesive classroom environment."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Christina C. says, "SEL is so important this year especially, and this is the perfect resource to kickstart that in your classroom! So many creative, new activities that my kids are already loving!"
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