SEL in Action: 5 Practical Ways to Boost Emotional Intelligence in Your Classroom

Are you passionate about creating a classroom where every student feels safe, supported, and truly seen? Fostering emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning (SEL) isn't just a buzzword – it's essential for academic success, positive student behavior, and long-term well-being.

But, how do we seamlessly infuse these vital skills into our day-to-day teaching? This is where EduProtocols come to the rescue! These easy-to-adapt lesson frames transform teaching by prioritizing student engagement, collaboration, and development of soft skills. Let's explore five practical EduProtocols that boost emotional intelligence in your classroom.

1. Thin Slides Mood Check-In

• Why it works: Students identify their current emotions and connect them to behaviors using a visual "Mood Meter" Thin Slide. Each student has three minutes to complete a slide with a word that describes their mood and one picture that shows it. This encourages self-awareness and creates a shared language for healthy emotional expression.

• How to: Use the Mood Meter regularly, perhaps as a morning routine. Create a safe space for students to share what zone they're in and why. Discuss coping strategies together. Alternately, have them identify how they wish they were feeling if they’re not in a place they want to be.

2. CyberSandwich EduProtocol: SEL Edition

• Why it works: Classic Think-Pair-Share takes on a social-emotional focus. This lets every voice be heard while developing understanding and empathy.

• How to: Pose SEL-related reflection prompts such as: "What does a respectful disagreement look like?" or "Share a time someone helped you manage a strong emotion." After thinking time, students pair up, then share with the whole class. Works also when students write a journal reflection on the topic, share with a partner, and then share out to the class. Maybe even a Thin Slide to share! 1 emotion, 1 picture.

3. The 3x Genre SEL Narrative

• Why it works: Creative writing offers a way to understand different perspectives on handling big emotions. Three response styles prompt deep thinking about consequences.

• How to: Pose an SEL-themed scenario with an emotional challenge. For example: "Someone spreads an untrue rumor about you. How do you feel, and what might you do?"

• Students then write three short narratives:

  • Positive Response: How the student reacts ideally, showing emotional control, healthy communication, etc.

  • Neutral Response: A mixed, "gray area" reaction – not destructive, but lacking strong coping skills.

  • Negative Response: The student acts impulsively, making matters worse.

• Debrief as a class to weigh outcomes and possible reactions for each response style.

4. "Feelings" Frayer Model

• Why it works: This structured graphic organizer deepens understanding of complex emotions while building vocabulary and self-reflection.

• How to: Each student uses a Frayer Model template to explore a feeling through a definition, examples, non-examples, and potential connections to positive behaviors.

Call to Action:

Ready for more? The fantastic thing about EduProtocols is their endless adaptability. The EduProtocols website (https://www.eduprotocols.com/) offers tons of free, teacher-designed protocols for every grade level and subject. Take a few minutes to explore their rich library – get ready to transform your classroom with fun, empowering SEL-focused lessons!

Let me know in the comments if you'll start incorporating EduProtocols for SEL – and please share your favorite ones!