Top Notch Platforms and Apps for Social-Emotional Learning: No Cost Options

Top Notch Platforms and Apps for Social-Emotional Learning: No Cost Options

In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever for children to develop strong social-emotional skills. One effective method for fostering these skills is through the use of talk circles, as explained in "The Magic of Circle Talk."

But what about implementing social-emotional learning (SEL) in a structured way within classrooms and schools? Fortunately, there are a plethora of free resources available to help teachers integrate SEL into their curriculums.

Social Emotional Learning Check-In Journal

A two-week daily check-in journal with SEL skill practices is a great starting point. This resource, available in printable and digital formats, covers self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. It can be used during morning meetings or counseling sessions.

Accepting Differences Social Skills Story and Activities

This ready-to-use resource fosters kindness, inclusion, empathy, and friendship. It offers engaging stories and activities designed to teach acceptance of others, making it suitable for both in-person and virtual teaching.

Free SEL Program Comparison Chart

For schools looking to choose a comprehensive SEL program, a downloadable tool comparing 10 popular SEL programs is available. This chart helps schools make informed decisions based on program descriptions, focus areas, grade suitability, and unique features.

Changing Perspectives SEL Curriculum

This comprehensive, student-centered curriculum aligns with CASEL and ASCA standards and helps embed SEL skill-building into daily instruction. It emphasizes emotional intelligence, empathy, and problem-solving, making it a valuable resource for teachers.

Free Social Emotional Worksheets and Activities

Various downloadable activities and worksheets covering multiple SEL topics are available to support lesson planning and student engagement.

myPeekaville

A research-based app containing a daily emotions check-in tool, myPeekaville is CASEL-aligned and COPPA compliant, making it a useful tool for teachers.

Educator Edtech Review: nXu and How to Use Comics in Your Classroom, With MakeBeliefsComix Founder Bill Zimmerman

For those interested in incorporating comics into their classrooms, this resource offers valuable insights from the founder of MakeBeliefsComix.

SEL in Digital Life Resource Center

Offered by Common Sense Education, this guide provides practical tips for implementing SEL in the digital age. Access requires creating a free account.

More Self-Regulation Games and Activities

This video discusses self-regulation and offers self-regulation games and group activities that teachers can employ in the classroom setting.

Harmony Academy

A complete, free social-emotional learning curriculum offered by National University, Harmony Academy requires users to sign up and answer some basic questions about their teaching activities to access and explore the resources.

CloseGap

CloseGap offers a flexible check-in tool for schools, asking students developmentally appropriate questions to assess their mental health. It features unlimited school and student accounts, check-ins, daily summaries, analytics, and 24/7 support.

Quandary

Quandary is a challenging fantasy game designed to build a student's ethical and critical thinking skills.

The CASEL Framework

The CASEL Framework helps educators use evidence-based SEL strategies according to their unique needs and priorities.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting SEL research and implementation.

Mood Classroom

Mood Classroom provides nine free Google Slides lessons for students in grades 5-9, demonstrating methods for managing disruptive emotions. Each lesson includes a musical video and discussion question.

Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind, an Australian-based company, offers a free app for guiding children through simple meditation steps to develop mental fitness. The app is available on iOS and Android, and it includes an offline option.

Mood Tools: Coping Skills

Mood Tools: Coping Skills offers dozens of coping skills explained in simple, colorful animated guides for children. The guides use music and animation to illustrate emotional states and management techniques.

These options provide a range of practical materials for different grade levels and classroom settings, from daily brief check-ins to full curricula and targeted skill-building activities. They are suitable for teachers looking to integrate SEL without cost barriers.

1. The Social Emotional Learning Check-In Journal, available in printable and digital formats, can be utilized by teachers during morning meetings or counseling sessions to help students practice self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
2. For schools seeking a comprehensive SEL program, a downloadable comparison chart of 10 popular SEL programs is available, helping schools make informed decisions based on program descriptions, focus areas, grade suitability, and unique features.
3. myPeekaville, a research-based app, contains a daily emotions check-in tool and is CASEL-aligned and COPPA compliant, making it a useful tool for teachers to incorporate into their digital classrooms.
4. For educators interested in using comics to enhance learning, they can find valuable insights from the founder of MakeBeliefsComix in the resource "Educator Edtech Review: nXu and How to Use Comics in Your Classroom."
5. The SEL in Digital Life Resource Center, offered by Common Sense Education, provides practical tips for implementing SEL strategies in the digital age, with access available through a free account.

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