I have started to use some simple strategies to support Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in my classroom. For self-awareness, I encourage students to reflect on their feelings by asking short questions like “How are you feeling today?” or using quick check-ins at the beginning of class. This helps students become more aware of their emotions.

For self-management, I try to guide students in setting small learning goals and managing their behavior during activities. For example, I remind them to stay focused and calm when facing challenges.

To develop social awareness and relationship skills, I include group work and discussions where students listen to each other’s ideas and practice respectful communication. This has helped improve cooperation, although sometimes managing conflicts between students can still be challenging.

For responsible decision-making, I encourage students to think about the consequences of their actions, especially during group activities or problem-solving tasks.

One success I have seen is that students are becoming more open to sharing and working together. However, a challenge is time management, as it can be difficult to balance SEL activities with academic content.

I think I could definitely use some of the lesson plans and games from the International Rescue Committee. Activities that involve teamwork, communication, and role-playing would work well in my context because they are interactive and help students practice real-life social skills in a safe environment.