Tag: emotions

Posted on

A Simple SEL Routine That Builds Connection in Under 5 Minutes a Day

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to set the tone for connection and emotional safety in your classroom. One simple but powerful tool I’ve used over the years is the student check-in — a quick, intentional moment that helps kids pause, reflect, and feel seen.

Whether you’re building your classroom community from scratch or looking to strengthen your existing routines, incorporating daily and weekly check-ins can make a big difference in how students show up, both emotionally and academically.

Why Use Student Check-Ins?

Student check-ins create space for:

  • 🌟 Self-awareness – Students begin to notice and name their emotions.
  • 💬 Student voice – They know their feelings matter and are heard.
  • 🧘‍♀️ Emotional regulation – A consistent routine helps them manage ups and downs.
  • 🤝 Classroom community – Students learn that everyone has good days and hard days.

Best of all? They don’t take long — just a few minutes a day!

What’s Inside the Editable Student Check-In Toolkit

I created this toolkit to make it easy for teachers to get started (or to level up their existing SEL routines). It includes both daily and weekly check-in templates that are simple, age-appropriate, and completely editable to meet your students’ needs.

Here’s what’s included:

✔️ Daily check-in slips (with and without prompts)
✔️ Weekly reflection forms to support goal setting
✔️ Google Slides and printable PDF versions
✔️ Fully editable fields for total flexibility
✔️ Simple, student-friendly design
✔️ Great for calm down corners, morning meetings, or independent work time

How I Use This in My Classroom

I love using the daily check-in as a soft start to our morning. Students grab a slip, circle how they’re feeling, and add a sentence or doodle to share more. On Fridays, we shift to the weekly reflection — where students choose one thing they’re proud of or set a goal for the week ahead.

I’ve found that giving students regular opportunities to check in helps build trust — not just with me, but within the classroom as a whole. It normalizes emotions and opens the door for meaningful conversations.

Tips for Making It Work in Your Routine

  • 💡 Model first: Share your own example as a morning check-in.
  • ⏱️ Keep it quick: This doesn’t need to take more than 5 minutes.
  • 🎨 Give choice: Let students write, draw, or choose emojis.
  • 🗂️ Collect or keep private: Some teachers collect check-ins; others let students keep them in folders or journals.
  • 🧩 Use for small groups: These check-ins can also help you decide who might need a quick one-on-one or a calming strategy.

Ready to Try It?

If you’re looking for a simple way to boost SEL and build student connection, the Editable Student Check-In Toolkit is ready to go. Just print or assign it in Google Slides — and you’ve got an easy-to-use tool that supports emotional wellness all year long.

👉 Grab the Check-In Toolkit on TPT

On Pinterest? Pin it for later!

https://pin.it/6oM2ZtFzb

I’d love to hear other ideas How do you help students manage their emotions?

Posted on

How to Use SEL Scenario Cards to Build Empathy and Problem-Solving Skills

If you’ve ever had a student shout, “That’s not fair!” or melt down because a friend didn’t want to play the same game, you already know:
Learning to manage feelings and solve conflicts takes practice.

One of my favorite ways to help students build social-emotional skills is by using scenario cards.

These simple tools open the door to big conversations about kindness, empathy, and making good choices.

Today, I’m sharing tips for using SEL scenario cards in your classroom—and a resource that can make it easy to get started!

💛 What Are SEL Scenario Cards?

Scenario cards are short, kid-friendly situations that students might encounter at school or in daily life.

Each card describes a problem or feeling and includes reflection questions like:

  • What could you do in this situation?
  • How might someone else feel?

They help students practice:
✅ Recognizing feelings
✅ Thinking before reacting
✅ Considering others’ perspectives
✅ Solving conflicts respectfully

✨ 5 Simple Ways to Use Scenario Cards

Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

1️⃣ Morning Meetings
Choose a scenario to read aloud and discuss as a class. This is a great way to start the day with empathy and connection.

2️⃣ Small Groups
Use cards in SEL rotations or counseling groups. Students can take turns reading and sharing ideas.

3️⃣ Writing Prompts
Have students respond to a scenario in their journals. They can write or draw about how they would handle it.

4️⃣ Role-Playing
Act out scenarios and practice calm responses. This is especially helpful for kinesthetic learners.

5️⃣ Calm-Down Corner
Keep a ring of cards available for students to read and reflect on when they need a break.

Check out this example from the set:

This simple prompt can lead to powerful conversations about inclusion and kindness.

📚 Ready to Try Scenario Cards?

I’ve created a set of 40 printable SEL Scenario Cards covering these topics:

✅ Friendship & Inclusion
✅ Managing Emotions
✅ Conflict Resolution
✅ Kindness & Empathy

Each card includes a clear scenario and reflection questions, plus a teacher guide to help you get started.

Click here to check them out in my TPT store!

💖 Let’s Support Our Students Together

When we give kids the tools to talk about feelings and practice empathy, we’re setting them up for a lifetime of healthy relationships.

If you try these scenario cards, I’d love to hear how you use them in your classroom!