SEL Dallas

Looking for a boredom buster or an activity after screen time? Try these brain breaks! ✨

You can include SEL in your daily routine at home! Start small with these 3 simple ways to foster connection and wellness this summer.

Dive into summer with "Summer is Here," a perfect read for sunny days ☀️ Then, take some time to reflect on the emotions summer brings. How does this vibrant season make you feel?

Kick off summer break with this SEL outdoor scavenger hunt! 🔍 Check out more free SEL resources at seldallas.org

Talking about our differences is important for building empathy and social awareness. Here are a few ways you can facilitate a thoughtful conversation:

⚪️ Start with self-awareness and consider how you approach differences among the youth you serve
⚪️ Create a safe space and cultivate social awareness by sitting in a circle and offering multiple ways to participate
⚪️ Have learners reflect with writing prompts focused on the importance of appreciating differences
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Every person is different, but we also have a lot in common 🌎 This month, let's build social awareness and self-awareness skills as we discuss and celebrate our commonalities and differences. Explore this theme and see reflection questions at ⁠https://seldallas.org/unit-2-overview-integration-details/

Check out these reflection questions that will get learners thinking critically about what friendship really means. 🤔 Find more free SEL resources at https://seldallas.org/

Let's build relationship skills in 2024 💪 If you're engaging learners in a classroom or during out of school time, try one of these SEL practices to encourage connection and relationship skills.

To dive into a discussion about connection and friendship with learners, we suggest Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch. 👉 Check out these group questions, and head to our website for a related craft! https://seldallas.org/unit-3-skills-building/

Let's build SUPER strong relationships in 2024 💪

⚪️ Create a vocabulary of emotion words to help learners share thoughts, express feelings, and connect better with others
⚪️ Read and discuss books that illustrate examples of strong friendships and supportive connections
⚪️ Act out different scenarios, like dealing with a conflict or sharing a favorite toy

Check out our website for more in-classroom or out of school time SEL resources at https://seldallas.org/

Feeling overwhelmed at how to incorporate more SEL in the classroom? Start small! Even 5 or 10 minute investments in SEL instruction can make a difference.

This quick Mirror Me activity is an exercise in social awareness and a helpful brain break. Try it out!

Here’s to a new school year filled with endless opportunities for learning and growing! Wishing every learner a great first week and a year of curiosity ✨

For many learners, putting feelings into words can be challenging. Sketchbooks can offer engagement and connection with learners in a different way. Try out these prompts in the classroom or after school.

Have you read Paletero Man? We suggest reading it aloud in a group and then asking some of these engaging discussion questions ⬇️
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cEXApCAdhPBZ3Gt7JhaEcTsLKMHdjbQ5/view

Young learners can engage social-emotional learning skills through writing. Check out these story starters from Education World ⬇️

https://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/story-starters/50-sel-story-starters

Relationship skills matter – studies show that increased empathy can decrease bullying among learners, encouraging kindness and inclusivity. Check out these phrases and share them with learners to strengthen relationships and encourage collaboration in the classroom.

Helping our youngest learners to understand SEL concepts is easier when they're connected to art. The Art of Education University has some awesome lesson ideas for making that connection. Check it out here ⬇️
https://theartofeducation.edu/2021/09/01/sept-engage-kindergarteners-in-sel-through-the-elements-of-art/

The social skills young learners are building at school can be strengthened at home! Try these activities at home:

⚪️ Take turns talking at dinner
⚪️ Consider a character's behavior – how did their actions affect other characters?
⚪️ After a playdate, discuss what went well and what was challenging

Leave a comment with another way to build these skills at home ⬇️

These drawing prompts can start conversations and help students express their feelings.

✨ draw time you felt strong
✨ draw a place you feel safe
✨ draw something that makes you smile

The Art of Education University has a great resource with 50 prompts like these. Check it out here ⬇️
https://theartofeducation.edu/2022/09/19/sept-50-sel-sketchbook-prompts-to-help-start-your-day/

If “how was your day” is feeling worn out, try these questions to spark an after school conversation!

These early weeks back to school often involve a classroom agreement about how students will treat each other – and we encourage you to use this idea at home! Families can discuss and decide on expectations for how all members will treat each other. Learn more below and create a family treatment agreement today!

https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/71331

Let's reflect! On this , we're asking "What do you like about school? What is challenging?"

This year will be full of learning new skills and making academic strides – and it’s just getting started! Wishing teachers, parents, and students a great first day 🎉

Check out this 60-second strategy from Edutopia! Teach and celebrate kindness in the classroom using a pom-pom jar. Watch the video here and let us know if you'll be using this in your classroom this year:
https://youtu.be/B8MAAd3P8Hw

"The need for social-emotional learning and mental health education in summer and after school programs has always been there but it wasn’t until the pandemic that it landed on everyone’s radar."

Read more about how the pandemic has launched an SEL component in many after school programs:

https://youthtoday.org/2022/07/sel-pandemic-pushes-afterschool-programs-to-add-social-emotional-learning/

Pandemic pushes afterschool programs to add social-emotional learning - Youth Today Afterschool programs across the country are increasing turning to social emotional learning, or SEL, and other approaches to help cope with increased behavior issues among children since the pandemic.

A new school year is almost here, which can be both exciting and stressful. Check out this conversation with Dallas ISD teachers for tips on managing school-year stress:
https://youtu.be/Qi3_KOw_HpY

SEL In Action: Teacher Discussion Series - Managing Stress Teachers are invited to join the second conversation in the SEL Teacher Discussion Series: Managing Stress on March 24, 2021, from 4:45​-5:30pm.Sign-Up: http...

Stay mindful this summer with some fun, free printable activities, like the Intentional Packet. It's available (along with other great resources) on our website! Check it out here:https://seldallas.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Intentional-Packet.pdf

Take a Kindness Challenge this summer! Make a list of kind activities or gestures and see how many you can cross off this summer. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

☀️ Bake treats to share with a neighbor
☀️ Let someone else go ahead in line
☀️ Use chalk to fill your neighborhood with kind words

Whether you're leading summer programs or preparing for the next school year, there are several ways to include social and emotional learning in your teaching. The Art of Education University has a great resource with detailed ideas – check it out here: https://theartofeducation.edu/2019/12/30/5-ideas-to-help-you-bring-sel-into-your-teaching/