Social Emotional Learning (SEL)was a critical part of learning and instruction in my SPED classroom, essentially because my students were on the spectrum and had major deficits in this area. Additionally, their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) mandated a plan of action addressing their social emotional needs. But principally, there was an understanding and acceptance that social emotional learning embedded in the curriculum and school culture made sense all around.
The research shows that social emotional education raises emotional intelligence, social skills and confidence. Also, It enables success in other academic areas as it is highly aligned with Common Core State Standards in ELA. Every state with common core standards can determine what their SEL standards will look like.
New York State’s Social Emotional Learning standards now has benchmarks for grades K-12. The benchmarks consists of 5 core competencies; self-awareness, self-management skills, responsible decision making, social awareness and relationship skills. Collectively, these are essential competencies that will enable an individual to thrive in school, home, work and life in general.
Social Skills Activities For Kids: Positive Attributes In A Good Friend
Creating Explicit and structured lessons on social emotional learning particularly in the area of social skills was a big part of my teaching and planning routine. Chiefly, because students on the spectrum require plenty of social skills instruction and opportunities to practice these skills.
I created the following social skills activity to help your students identify positive qualities in a person when they are making new friends— great for children in grades K-3. Coincidentally, this is the time that children begin to establish strong peer networks and social relationships in school.
This qualities of a good friend activity aligns with NYSSEL goal 2- using social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships: Recognize individual and group similarities and differences: Describe positive qualities in others.
This social skills activity packet contains many differentiated worksheets to inform comprehension and keep your early elementary students engaged.
What Makes A Good Friend Activities for Early Elementary Students
These short reading comprehension worksheets will help your students identify positive qualities in a person. The reading passage is differentiated for your independent or fluent readers (short answers) and your emergent readers (multiple choice).
Plus, your students will also be working on identifying the main idea and key details. (Common Core alignment to ELA Standards)
Thinking maps are a type of graphic organizers that help students frame their thinking around certain cognitive processes. Thus, we went through extensive professional development in its use. If your school uses them, you will enjoy these differentiated bubble map templates for brainstorming and describing the positive attributes of a friend. For students who are not writing yet, I have included a cut and paste worksheet.
Students can use the bubble maps to assist them in writing short sentences and paragraphs about what a good friend looks like. There are four writing worksheets to write and draw about the qualities of a good friend.
These No prep fun coloring pages are great for early finishers and extension activities (Art).
This social skills packet includes 23 pages of differentiated readers and thinking map templates. Also, included are cut and paste, writing, drawing and coloring worksheets. Lastly, character building posters to decorate your bulletin boards and reinforce positive attributes in your students.
What Educators Are Saying
These activities have been a great addition to our social groups.
Sarah B.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Additional Resources and Materials
I have just begun to create materials for social emotional learning. However, if you’re looking for a lesson on feelings and emotions for your nonverbal students or Pre-K students, you may like this one. A great majority of my activities are available digitally on the Easel by TPT platform. You can assign the work to your students on Easel and they can access it from any device. Additionally, you’ll be able to monitor their progress and give them timely feedback.
In closing, come join the vortex2learning club and gain exclusive access to the freebie library of resources— a growing collection of educational lessons, activities, printables, worksheets, workbooks and more. You will be given a password that will allow you access at any time.
