This back to school social emotional learning resource is the perfect companion to your start of school lesson plans. It includes PRINTABLE & DIGITAL mini-lesson ideas and engaging activities that build connections in the classroom and teach important social and emotional skills to children during the most important time of year!
The mind+heart SEL back to school resource and activities will support kids as they learn to be positive members of the classroom community, develop self-awareness, build new relationships, and act with kindness and empathy.
Why start the year with social-emotional learning
The beginning of the school year is such an important time to start teaching social and emotional skills. Teaching these early will help set a positive tone in your classroom for the rest of the year. 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 that they face throughout the year.
What is the scope and sequence?
It includes 4 weeks of SEL lessons and activities in 4 themes for the start of school. There are 5+ lessons and activities for each theme.
Week 1: community building
Week 2: all about me (building confidence & self-esteem)
Week 3: relationships
Week 4: kindness & empathy
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 would work well with any childhood educator or school counselors working with groups of children.
What does the mind+heart Back to School SEL resource include?
Look at the PREVIEW for a look at this SEL resource up close and the variety of lessons and activities included!
The mind+heart SEL back to school resource includes a variety of thought provoking discussion topics, community building ideas, and engaging activities to help build and maintain important social and emotional skills. Children will have many opportunities to learn, practice, and develop through a variety of activities as they start the school year.
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/or color
Classroom contract
Ice breaker games
Role play scenario task cards
'All Are Welcome' book & writing activity
Class 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 of the Week writing and hat
'This School Year Will be the Best' book & goal writing activity
Self-portrait photograph with writing art activity
'Get to Know Me' discussion cards
Welcome 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
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 during remote teaching, distance learning, and in a one-to-one classroom!
Notes for Teachers:
Teachers are provided with a scope and sequence, topic layout, photos in action, and detailed instructions for teaching and using the activities and materials.
FAQ:
Is this resource included in the mind+heart K-2 curriculum?
This resource is NOT included in the curriculum. This resource takes a different structure and is meant to start your class off on the right path with SEL. I highly recommend going further and continuing to teach social and emotional skills through the year after this resource has been taught with the mind+heart K-2 curriculum.
♥♥The mind+heart Social Emotional Learning Curriculum for K-2 is an SEL curriculum for the whole year and is available for a SPECIAL DISCOUNT. Get your entire year’s worth of lessons (40 included) and activities to help young children to develop emotional literacy, self-control, and social competence TODAY! ♥♥
Is this resource different from the mind+heart K-2 curriculum?
While this resource touches on similar topics (kindness, relationships, and empathy), the mini-lessons and activities are BRAND NEW! These lessons are geared specifically for starting the year, getting to know one another, and developing classroom community. I highly recommend starting to teach the year with this resource and then implementing the curriculum afterwards.
Check out the other SEL units for K-2:
Emotions & Feelings
Self-Regulation & Self-Control
Growth Mindset
Relationships & Friendship
Empathy & Social Awareness
Kindness & Bucket Filling
Respect & Gratitude
Responsibility, Goal Setting, & Conflict Resolution
Related Products
Kindness Classroom Challenge Pack with Calendars
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