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Howard Moody, in The Heart of Play, defines the difference between low, medium, and high-risk games based on the level of physical, emotional, and social risk involved in the activity. The lesson plans below are meant for secondary students based on risk/comfort level of the teacher (educator) delivering the lessons.
These involve minimal emotional risk. They are typically cooperative, inclusive, and designed to make participants feel safe. Examples include simple icebreakers, lighthearted team-building activities, and games that emphasize fun without competition.
These activities offer a moderate challenge and may ask players to step out of their comfort zones a little. They could include friendly competition, trust-building exercises, or surprises that require some emotional risk.
These activities need a lot of dedication or openness. They might include tough competition, trust-building exercises, or situations where people face real fears, like heights or failing in front of others. While these games can lead to personal growth, they must be guided carefully to keep everyone safe and emotionally supported.
Easy activities to incorporate SEL into your classroom
Check for understanding circle
DIALOGUE JOURNALS TO BUILD TRUST AND TO GROW STUDENTS’ SEL SKILLS
Strategies for increasing the use of SEL skills
SEL Lessons for Elementary Students
Here’s a creative way to boost your students’ storytelling and cognitive skills while likely sharing a laugh or two with each other. The activity is called “Fortunately, Unfortunately.”
Here’s a creative way to boost your students’ storytelling and cognitive skills while likely sharing a laugh or two with each other. The activity is called “Fortunately, Unfortunately.”
Start a Story: Begin with a simple story sentence. Example: “Fortunately, there was a dog who loved adventures.”
Start a Story: Begin with a simple story sentence. Example: “Fortunately, there was a dog who loved adventures.”
Pass the Baton: The next student adds a twist using ‘unfortunately.’ Example: “Unfortunately, the dog got lost exploring the neighborhood.”
Pass the Baton: The next student adds a twist using ‘unfortunately.’ Example: “Unfortunately, the dog got lost exploring the neighborhood.”
Keep Alternating: Continue alternating between fortunate and unfortunate scenarios.
Keep Alternating: Continue alternating between fortunate and unfortunate scenarios.
Encourage Creativity: Let students’ imaginations run wild, creating a rollercoaster of events.
Encourage Creativity: Let students’ imaginations run wild, creating a rollercoaster of events.
Conclude Together: End the story collectively once everyone has had a chance or when your timer (if you use one) runs out!
Conclude Together: End the story collectively once everyone has had a chance or when your timer (if you use one) runs out!
Lost in the Middle is a graphic novel that follows 8th grader Kai as he and his best friend Elle create videos for the social network, “4Reel” to help younger kids transition to Fourth Ave Middle School. It starts with easy stuff, like how to open a jammed locker, but quickly gets to the harder stuff, like how to open up to a friend about death. Each character leans on their own coping mechanisms as they struggle with different kinds of loss—but in the end, they learn to lean on each other. Their message to all of us—you are not alone.
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