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There’s no doubt that social-emotional learning (SEL) has become an essential component of education, especially as students continue to struggle with mental health issues. Implementing social-emotional check-ins is not only a powerful way to support students’ well-being — but also a great way to keep building relationships with your students throughout the school year. Let’s learn more about SEL check-ins, and explore five simple ways you can check in with students throughout the school year.
What is a social-emotional check-in?
An SEL check-in is an activity that asks students to reflect on how they’re feeling. They can take various forms, such as verbal discussions, written reflections, or interactive activities. Generally, these exercises are designed to help students put a name to whatever it is that they’re feeling, voice any challenges, and get support from their teachers and other school staff members. These small, but meaningful, interactions can play a big role in ensuring that the needs of every student are met.
Why should I do student check-ins?
Before diving into ideas for how to conduct a student check-in, let’s take a beat to understand why teachers might want to do this in the first place. One of the five core tenets of social-emotional learning is self-awareness, or the ability to understand one’s own emotions and how it affects different areas of life. SEL check-ins help to develop self-awareness skills by making time during the busy school day that allows them to tune into their emotional state.
Quite often, students are dealing with a range of feelings, and in turn, those feelings can affect their ability to learn. By carving out the space to explore their emotions through SEL, students will ultimately be better equipped to understand themselves and develop strategies for managing their emotions.
What SEL check-in activities can I do with my students?
There are a range of SEL check-in activities teachers can do that are valuable for promoting emotional well-being and fostering a supportive classroom environment. Here are five simple ways to check in with your students, and get to know what they are thinking and feeling throughout the year.
Before You Get Started: Do take some time to consider how you might respond to anything that comes up during a social-emotional check-in activity. For example, if a student tells you they are having a hard time, be prepared to address that with them or connect them with other resources, like a school counselor.
Written Check-Ins
At the start of the school day, the week, or periodically throughout the year, have students fill out a check-in survey. Focus on asking questions that will help you gauge how students are feeling about your class, and what they might need from you. Some example prompts include:
- How are you feeling today?
- What’s one thing that’s been on your mind lately?
- Is there something you need help with?
Students can complete these written SEL check-ins as a bell ringer, as part of their morning work, or even as a check-out activity at the end of the class period.
Daily Check In For Social Emotional Learning – Morning Check in Forms – Digital
By Mikey D Teach – SELebration Learning
Grades: 3-8
Weekly Reflection/Check-in Form (Google Forms)
By ELA with Ms Goicochea
Grades: 5-12
Feelings Wheels
Being able to identify emotions is one of the first steps toward building self-awareness skills. Using an emotion wheel can help students articulate how they’re feeling, and also discover strategies to cope with those emotions.
Managing Emotions Wheel – SEL Self-Regulation Craft & Coping Skills Lesson
By Pathway 2 Success
Grades: 1-5
Rate Feelings
Another great way to get students in the habit of identifying their emotions and to give you quick insight into how everyone is feeling is to have students rate their feelings on a scale. You can use a predetermined scale, or come up with the scale together. For example, a rating of 1 might mean “I’m struggling,” while a 5 might mean “I’m doing great.” You can have students write their answers on a notecard, and hand them in to you.
Daily Feelings Check In Emoji Worksheet-Emotions Check In Mental Health SEL
By Mental Health Center Kids
Grades: K-9
Rose, Thorn, Bud
This quick, three-question check-in exercise is meant to help students reflect on how their day or week has been going.
- Rose: What’s something positive that has happened lately?
- Thorn: What’s something that’s been challenging or causing you stress?
- Bud: What’s something you’re looking forward to doing or trying?
Students can write their rose, thorn, and bud in a journal or share aloud with the class. It’s a great way for teachers to hear what students want to celebrate and to pinpoint areas where they may need some additional support or encouragement.
Rose Thorn Bud Check In FLASH FREEBIE!
By WholeHearted School Counseling
Grades: Any
Journaling
Writing can be a powerful tool for reflecting and processing emotions. Through SEL journals, teachers can have students document their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Over time, it can help students develop emotional regulation skills, enhance their ability to articulate their feelings, and foster a habit of introspection, contributing to their overall social-emotional growth.
Mindfulness and Growth Mindset Journal Teens
By The Counseling Teacher Brandy
Grades: 8-12
By regularly using one or more of these SEL check-in ideas, teachers can create an emotionally supportive classroom where students feel seen, heard, and valued. If you’re ready to give it a try, pick one or two ideas that you think would fit well in your lessons and get started. And find more SEL activities to check in with your students on TPT.
