There's a lot of thought that goes into setting up safe and supportive classroom environments. From establishing a whole group meeting area and arranging desks, to organizing classroom supplies and creating bulletin board displays,...

Whether you're planning to set up your classroom for the start of another school year or just need a change of scenery, this sample chapter taken from a Responsive Classroom book provides suggestions for making the most...

Put an end to wasted instructional time with this lesson on responsibility and preparedness. After completing this series of activities learners will learn the importance of these social skills not only in the classroom, but at...

A game of Cooperation Tag and a Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion Challenge plays to the positive impact of good sporting behavior on one's social-emotional development. Scholars participate in these games with their peers then thoroughly...

It doesn't matter if you're a new teacher trying to set up your classroom for the first time or a veteran teacher looking for new ideas to freshen up your teaching, this resource has something to offer everyone. After...

Here's a self-evaluation form designed to get pupils thinking about their behaviors, both the positive and the negative.

The social skills story, "Going to Church on Easter," lets kids know what they might expect and how they might be expected to behave at a church service.

Sophomores can be sometimes wise and sometimes foolish. The same can be said for their behaviors. After watching a presentation about risk taking behaviors, class members discuss the presentation in small groups, and then complete a...

Two activities for young scholars explore the concept of bullying. The first activity examines scenarios to point out bullying behavior. The second activity encourages positive peer relationships by identifying kind and respectful...

 A whole-class discussion sheds light on school bullying and ways to prevent it. Scholars share a moment when they observed or experienced some sort of teasing. Pupils brainstorm ways such behavior can be stopped or prevented.

Through discussion, role play, read-alouds, writing, and more, scholars explore the concept of bullying and practice having courage while responsibly reporting unfriendly behavior. Friendship and respect are practiced and...

Three lessons delve deep into the topic of feelings and the importance of expressing one's emotions. Through grand conversation, hands-on learning experiences, and reflective writing, scholars interpret the ups and downs of everyday...

Small groups brainstorm their roles in the community. Then, individually, complete a community roles web worksheet. Peers share their completed product and extend the conversation to include the feelings and character traits that go...

An eye-catching hook makes a smart analogy between ingredients for a food recipe and ingredients for quality relationships. Scholars discuss and list qualities they feel contribute to positive interactions. Pupils create a recipe card...

Pupils complete an activity sheet to determine what values are most important to them. They then discuss their responses with partners before sharing the results of the discussion with the class. 

For decades Bloom's Taxonomy has helped to guide educators' approach to instruction, but as times change and students change, so too must the methods for teaching evolve. Introducing teachers to the new revised...

Create emotional superheroes with a unit equipped with several activities and lessons designed to establish coping skills and practice tools that boost healthy habits. Through discussion, chants, writing, and drawing, scholars learn to...

Health Smart provides a lesson that shows middle schoolers how they can step up and help someone exhibiting self-harming behaviors. After learning the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide, teams research local resources...

From generalizing and justifying to megacognition reflection and perseverance, keep the 16 Habits of Mind as part of an ongoing and developing conversation in your class by displaying these posters around your room throughout...

Stressed out? To begin a mental and emotional health unit, participants take a stress test to determine their level of stress. They study the effects of stress, identify sources of stress in their lives, and learn different ways to...

So you've signed up to work as a substitute teacher, While you're waiting for that call, download or bookmark a substitute teacher guide that has everything you need to prepare you for any classroom, for any grade, for any subject....

Not all trolls hide under bridges; some of them hide behind computer screens! Learners explore the causes and effects of people leaving mean comments online. After learning vocabulary, watching and discussing a video, and responding to...

A short social-emotional learning lesson plan teaches high schoolers how to show empathy toward others. After completing a short survey that has them assess their understanding of empathy, the class learns specific behaviors they can...

Learning to wait, though difficult, is an important social skill. Here are two cards that will help kids learn when it is okay to ask questions and when they must wait.