What Would You Do? Taking Responsibility

When presented with a problem or situation, we typically have multiple ways that we can choose how to respond. Once we take time to analyze the situation, we must choose to make a choice. In order to respond in a way that supports you and others around you, it is important to demonstrate responsibility. We'll discover what that looks like for students in this lesson.

Design Thinking: A Collaborative Form of Problem Solving

Problem solving can be challenging, especially when we try to do it alone. Sometimes our feelings get in the way and it makes problem solving even more difficult. When we have others supporting us, it often helps us to relieve our fears and frustrations to find many solutions. Design thinking is one way to work with others to solve problems.

Determine the Size of the Problem

Not all problems are equal and they come in different sizes. To solve a problem, it can be helpful to determine its size and ensure that our reaction to the problem fits with the size. This lesson walks you through how to determine the size the problem and provides a printed activity for older students.

Reactive vs. Reflective Thinking

Have you ever reacted to a situation or made a choice to do something that you later regretted? In this lesson, students will practice the skill of responsible decision-making by analyzing different situations and identifying the different choices we may have in our response.

The Impact of Relationships

Thinking back on people that have made a positive difference in your life. These people made you feel important, heard or maybe even just seen at a time that you felt invisible. As we start this new school year, we remember the impact of relationships in education, and in personal growth.

Welcome Back!

Last school year was like no other. We endured and persevered through a variety of challenges and continued to move forward. As this next school year begins, we remember the importance of community and maintaining connection with others. Our home, school and local communities are the backbone of our continued resilience and build the foundation for a strong school year. Welcome Back!! 

A Call to Action: Show Up!

Sometimes it can be hard to “show up” for others. We worry about our sacrifice of time and energy to help others. But, “showing up” can range from lending a listening ear to creating a nonprofit. The level at which you “show up” is up to you. No matter how involved you get, others will benefit! 

Empowering Students: What Can I Do?

As a “kid”, it often feels like you’re being told what to do and you’re not allowed to make many decisions, but kids and young adults are actually capable of really big, great things.

What Can You Do With Your Superpowers?

We’ve had an interesting year and have really had to keep to ourselves and our families to stay safe. Essentially, we’ve hidden our superpowers. So now is the time to get back out and use our superpowers to DO for others and change things for the better! Wondering how? Check out these ideas, pick one or two, and go for it!

Making the World a Better Place by Changing Our Communities

What’s good for you, your school, family, and community? The answer is service learning! Students gain essential SEL skills, teachers broaden and grow their teaching skills, and families and community members benefit from the value created!

Managing Our Mental Health

Mental health is like physical health. We exercise and eat healthy to take care of our bodies. Our mental health starts with our emotions, so what can we do to make sure we’re keeping our minds and hearts healthy? 

Keep Talking: Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health

Did you know that one in five children will experience some sort of mental health challenge? This can be you or someone you know. The good news is that we can support each other by talking, listening, and reaching out for support.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health

Our children have not been immune to the mental health impact of COVID-19, as schools have remained closed and now some are opening under different circumstances. So what can we do to address this impact and mediate some of the potential challenges that students are experiencing?

What Causes Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression cause pain for people all over the world. We often get stuck in these negative feelings by trying to avoid our emotions. But we can take action by allowing ourselves to feel our emotions, demonstrate them, reach out for support, and start the healing process.

Let's Get Talking and Break The Stigma

Just like we have physical illnesses, we might experience mental illnesses as well. Some of us don’t like to talk about what’s going on inside and think others may judge us. Let’s break the stigma, get talking, and support each other!

Anxiety Thermometer & Action Plan

Anxiety can be terrifying for young people, especially for those that don’t understand the feelings and emotions related to this experience. Increased awareness of feelings and symptoms related to anxiety can be powerful in tackling its impact. The more we’re able to support our kids in their understanding, the more we can diffuse the power of their anxiety.

Managing Anxious Responses: Stop, Name Your Feeling(s), and Calm Down

We have become very good at recognizing what anxiety looks like, but what do we do when we realize what’s happening to us? Take some time to learn not just about the signs of anxiety but ways you can respond that are effective.

The What, Why, and How of Anxiety

You might not think so, but anxiety has a positive purpose in your life. Knowing what our brains do, why they act this way, and how we can tame them helps us address anxiety from a place of strength.

Understanding Anxiety

Feelings of fear, worry, and nervousness often plague us as adults. Fortunately, we often have the language and capability to manage these emotions, but what about our children and students? They may lack the understanding of these feelings and where they come from. Increasing the understanding and awareness of anxiety and how it works in us, is often the first step in reducing the impact of its

Bouncing Back: Lessons in Resilience

Sometimes life is confusing and difficult things happen to us. Bouncing back from those challenges can be hard, but we learn from those challenges and we become stronger and more “resilient”. Watch and listen to the following videos and consider all the times you’ve “bounced back”.

Growing Because of Adversity

Resilience is often thought of as being able to endure hardships, but did you know that it also includes the ability to grow and be better because of it? The key is being able to come out better on the other side! 

Still We Rise...

Despite challenges in our lives, we can develop positive ways of coping in order to grow and RISE up. Think of the obstacles you have faced and how you have overcome to be an even better version of yourself. Keep on RISING up and living resiliently!

Overcoming Failure

Times may be tough right now and sometimes we just want to give up. But we don’t, do we? Nope! We are resilient! We find ways around our challenges, learn from our failures and NEVER GIVE UP.

Growth and Resilience for Students

We’ve heard so much about resilience recently but what is it and why do we need it? Let’s take a look at what resilience looks like and how it benefits us!

Stories of Inequality

To understand others, sometimes it helps to “walk in their shoes”. This SEL lesson gives a brief glimpse into the experience of others. Take a moment to listen and reflect.

Becoming an advocate for Social Justice

Oftentimes we learn of or hear about social injustice but we do not feel equipped to make a difference. The first step in becoming an advocate is to understand that we are all different and accept that difference is good!

Let's Talk Social Justice

Honest and courageous conversations are just the beginning of our work for social justice. When we develop safe spaces to have these conversations in schools, we work together to dismantle oppression. Let's get talking!

What's the difference between equality and equity?

There have been many conversations going on about equity and equality in education. You might hear these words on TV or on social media, but what do these words mean? What is the difference? Our new SEL lesson offers an answer.

Overcoming “Goal Blockers”

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students.

Develop a Can-Do Attitude

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please[…]

Reaching Our Goals

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Instructions: First, watch the video Next, find a parent or adult to help you discuss the following questions: What are your goals? Are your goals long term? (e.g. 5-10-20 years from now) …

How to Make a "S.M.A.R.T." Goal

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Instructions: Watch the video. Create a “goal list” for the year of 2021 that includes 2 “BIG” goals you would like to achieve this year. Have an adult help you identify and …

Is it still a gift if you can't unwrap it?

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Guiding Questions: What gift did the mom give the boy in the video? Why didn't he like the gift at first? Was the boy lucky to have his mom? Why? Who are

All Our Many Gifts

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Guiding Questions: What gift did the mom give the boy in the video? Why didn’t he like the gift at first? Was the boy lucky to have his mom? Why? Who are …

Remembering the "Why" of Giving

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Instructions: Take a look at the video of this “Kid CEO”. What do you think motivated this student to give so much away? Write down three ways her giving has impacted her …

Better to Give?

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Instructions: Watch the video and think about what Emily was able to do with a big idea, some hard work, and support from family and her partner. Think about a need you …

How Do We Show Gratitude?

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Guiding Questions: How did the man in the video change from the beginning to the end? What did he do differently? Why did he change? Do you ever make changes like that? …

Share your Gratitude!

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Instructions: Think about if you have anything in common with Kid President when it comes to gratitude? When is the last time you shared this gratitude with anyone else? Think of one …

Having an Attitude of Gratitude

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson Please start by sharing this video with your students Discussion Questions: What does “gratitude” mean? Do you have an attitude of gratitude? What happens when you forget to be thankful? What can you do to remember? Secondary Lesson Please start by …

Got Gratitude?

We hope that the lessons are helpful to you and your students. Elementary Lesson: Gratitude Takes Practice Please start by sharing this video with your students Instructions: After watching the video, think of 10 things you are grateful for. Make a fun book by drawing pictures and labeling your gratitudes. Secondary Lesson: What are you …

Meet the Parts of Your Brain

Brain Growth and Neuroplasticity

Brain Development 101

Children are born ready to learn and have many skills to learn and grow to lead successful and meaningful lives. They depend on parents, family members, and other caregivers as their first teachers to develop the right skills and to model good behavior. In this SEL lesson, we'll have students and staff explore the basics of brain development and how the brain works in their every day lives.