Are you looking for fun and meaningful ways to keep your students engaged this winter? This Winter social-emotional learning resource is the perfect companion to your holiday (Christmas), winter, and Valentine's Day lesson plans in the kindergarten, first grade, or second grade classroom. The mini-lessons and activities focus on giving, self-love, mindfulness, and friendship.
Why focus on social-emotional learning in the winter?
- The winter season is a great time to focus on giving around the holidays and Christmas.
- It is a time to reflect on how to show self-love and learn to take care of ourselves.
- Kids will have opportunities to practice mindfulness strategies, that are especially beneficial in the new year.
- There are also many activities to help kids make friends and build friendships in the winter and during a Valentine's Day classroom party ("Love Day").
What is the scope and sequence?
It includes 4 weeks of SEL lessons and activities in 4 themes for the winter. There are 7-8 mini-lessons and activities for each theme.
Theme 1: Giving
Theme 2: Self-Love
Theme 3: Friendship
Theme 4: Mindfulness
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 winter 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 winter resource includes a variety of thought-provoking discussion topics and engaging activities to help reflect on important social and emotional skills that are used during winter, before the Christmas holidays, in the new year, and for Valentine's Day to provoke discussions amongst your kids. Children will have many opportunities to reflect and discuss on the things that they have, and the importance of the way that they treat others.
Theme #1: Giving
Discuss what it means to be give and different ways you can give to others during the holiday season. These activities are a great way to discuss and reflect on the importance of giving and how it makes others feel.
7 mini-lessons & activities:
- 12 Days of Giving Challenge
- Sharing Advent Calendar
- Compliment Garland
- Give or Take Sorting Activity
- “I am a Giver” Anchor Chart & Writing Activity
- Giving Task Cards
- “Send our Love” Holiday/Christmas & Valentine's Day Cards
Theme #2: Self-Love
Discuss what it means to love yourself. Complete activities and participate in discussions about how we can do different things to keep our body and mind healthy and happy.
7 Mini-Lessons & Activities:
- Self-care calendar
- Love Monster Book Craftivity
- Art & Heart Writing Activity
- “10 Things I Love About Myself” Writing Book Activity
- Self-Love Chat Cards
- My Healthy Self Storybook
- Affirmation Posters & Coloring Pages
Theme #3: Friendship
It is important to teach the importance of friendship and what it means to be a good friend. Children will complete activities and have discussions on how they can treat others and recognize what makes them feel good.
7 Mini-Lessons & Activities:
- “A Good Friend” Anchor Chart & Writing Activity
- “The Gift of Friendship” Task Card Game
- “Interview a Friend” Activity
- The Love Letter Book Activity
- Friendship Sorting Activity Cards
- “Friends Fill Our Hearts” Activity
- Love Day Activities and Games for a Valentine's Day Class Party
Theme #4: Mindfulness
It is important to teach mindfulness and what it means to calm our bodies. Children will complete activities and have discussions on how they can use different techniques to calm themselves and practice mindfulness when needed.
8 Mini-Lessons & Activities:
- Mindful Task Cards
- Mindfulness Journal
- Winter Breathing Cards
- Winter Themed Yoga Cards
- New Year Banner and Hat Activity
- Mindful Coloring Pages
- Mindful Eating Activity
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.
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