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Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

15 Activities

More from this collaborator

Grades K - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Overview

Empower youth, amplify student voice, and make learning an adventure! The activities in this playlist are designed to spark creativity, foster teamwork, and encourage self-discovery, making learning an adventure that students look forward to each day. This playlist is packed with engaging activities in the arts, career exploration, and social and emotional learning — that foster self-awareness, creativity, connection, and belonging. Each lesson plan equips you to engage students to become more active participants in their own journey.

"The most memorable lessons often come from the journey, not the destination — enjoy the messiness of learning, it's here that the real magic happens." — Lauren B. González

This Playlist was curated by Lauren B. González, in collaboration with Mizzen Education. Lauren has more than 15 years in the educational field and is a doctoral candidate for Applied Learning Sciences at The University of Miami. A first-generation Latina and daughter of Cuban exiles, Lauren describes her approach to learning as "holistic, respectful of student cultures, and deeply rooted in resilience and empathy."

The Puppet Version of Me

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

The Puppet Version of Me

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students use a variety of materials to create paper-bag puppets that represent their looks and interests. Then they use their puppets to give a presentation about themselves to the group, puppet-show style.

Discover Activity

Body Language

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Body Language

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Explore the power of body language in interviews! In this exciting lesson, students dive into the world of non-verbal communication. They play interactive games, watch videos, and create Body Language Stories to master the art of body language. By the end, they're equipped with the skills to convey messages beyond words.

This is lesson 14 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

Creating the Best Place

Belonging and Community, We The People

Creating the Best Place

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Build on students' sense of place by having students work together to plan and consider ideas for improving a neighborhood. In this activity, they share drawings or other models, and then recognize that people may have different ideas for the neighborhoods in which they want to live.

Discover Activity

Respecting Others

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Respecting Others

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn that everyone has traits that make them unique and play a game to explore their similarities and differences.

Discover Activity

Meet the Me Puppet

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Meet the Me Puppet

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a sock puppet to represent themselves. Then the group uses their puppets to have conversations with one another. The activity aims to provide students with an outlet for speaking up in their own voice. Another benefit of the activity is that it allows students to define the elements of their essential selves.

Discover Activity

Decisions… Decisions…

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Decisions… Decisions…

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Every day we face choices. Making a choice when there is no obvious right answer can be difficult. Sometimes we can come to a compromise, and other times we must go with our gut. Today, students get a prompt to create a skit with 2 actors' present choices, with no obvious right answer, to a third actor, who must decide.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students play Bingo with a difference: Numbers have been replaced with personality traits and fun facts. By the end of the game, group members will know one another a little better.

Discover Activity

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a game similar to the classic Go Fish, using index cards that state synonyms for various feelings. They play the game in small groups and then discuss their emotions and experiences.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

Discover Activity

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore situations in their lives that cause stress, the potentially harmful effects of stress, and how they can manage stressful situations.

Discover Activity

Messages to the Past

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Messages to the Past

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students activate their imagination by writing a letter to a parent or significant adult in their life, and addressing the recipient as middle school students.

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students learn about each other as they engage in conversations with a purpose. They sit in a circle and talk alternately with the person on their left and then the person on their right. Their goal is to find something in common with each partner that they don't have in common with the other partner.

Discover Activity

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn the warning signs of depression. They create a drawing, a poster, a public service announcement (PSA), or other work to communicate information about depression.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

The Puppet Version of Me

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

The Puppet Version of Me

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students use a variety of materials to create paper-bag puppets that represent their looks and interests. Then they use their puppets to give a presentation about themselves to the group, puppet-show style.

Discover Activity

Body Language

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Body Language

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Explore the power of body language in interviews! In this exciting lesson, students dive into the world of non-verbal communication. They play interactive games, watch videos, and create Body Language Stories to master the art of body language. By the end, they're equipped with the skills to convey messages beyond words.

This is lesson 14 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

Creating the Best Place

Belonging and Community, We The People

Creating the Best Place

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Build on students' sense of place by having students work together to plan and consider ideas for improving a neighborhood. In this activity, they share drawings or other models, and then recognize that people may have different ideas for the neighborhoods in which they want to live.

Discover Activity

Respecting Others

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Respecting Others

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn that everyone has traits that make them unique and play a game to explore their similarities and differences.

Discover Activity

Meet the Me Puppet

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Meet the Me Puppet

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a sock puppet to represent themselves. Then the group uses their puppets to have conversations with one another. The activity aims to provide students with an outlet for speaking up in their own voice. Another benefit of the activity is that it allows students to define the elements of their essential selves.

Discover Activity

Decisions… Decisions…

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Decisions… Decisions…

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Every day we face choices. Making a choice when there is no obvious right answer can be difficult. Sometimes we can come to a compromise, and other times we must go with our gut. Today, students get a prompt to create a skit with 2 actors' present choices, with no obvious right answer, to a third actor, who must decide.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students play Bingo with a difference: Numbers have been replaced with personality traits and fun facts. By the end of the game, group members will know one another a little better.

Discover Activity

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a game similar to the classic Go Fish, using index cards that state synonyms for various feelings. They play the game in small groups and then discuss their emotions and experiences.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

Discover Activity

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore situations in their lives that cause stress, the potentially harmful effects of stress, and how they can manage stressful situations.

Discover Activity

Messages to the Past

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Messages to the Past

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students activate their imagination by writing a letter to a parent or significant adult in their life, and addressing the recipient as middle school students.

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students learn about each other as they engage in conversations with a purpose. They sit in a circle and talk alternately with the person on their left and then the person on their right. Their goal is to find something in common with each partner that they don't have in common with the other partner.

Discover Activity

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn the warning signs of depression. They create a drawing, a poster, a public service announcement (PSA), or other work to communicate information about depression.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

More from this collaborator

Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

Grades K - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Overview

The Puppet Version of Me

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

The Puppet Version of Me

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students use a variety of materials to create paper-bag puppets that represent their looks and interests. Then they use their puppets to give a presentation about themselves to the group, puppet-show style.

Discover Activity

Body Language

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Body Language

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Explore the power of body language in interviews! In this exciting lesson, students dive into the world of non-verbal communication. They play interactive games, watch videos, and create Body Language Stories to master the art of body language. By the end, they're equipped with the skills to convey messages beyond words.

This is lesson 14 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

Creating the Best Place

Belonging and Community, We The People

Creating the Best Place

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Build on students' sense of place by having students work together to plan and consider ideas for improving a neighborhood. In this activity, they share drawings or other models, and then recognize that people may have different ideas for the neighborhoods in which they want to live.

Discover Activity

Respecting Others

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Respecting Others

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn that everyone has traits that make them unique and play a game to explore their similarities and differences.

Discover Activity

Meet the Me Puppet

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Meet the Me Puppet

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a sock puppet to represent themselves. Then the group uses their puppets to have conversations with one another. The activity aims to provide students with an outlet for speaking up in their own voice. Another benefit of the activity is that it allows students to define the elements of their essential selves.

Discover Activity

Decisions… Decisions…

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Decisions… Decisions…

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Every day we face choices. Making a choice when there is no obvious right answer can be difficult. Sometimes we can come to a compromise, and other times we must go with our gut. Today, students get a prompt to create a skit with 2 actors' present choices, with no obvious right answer, to a third actor, who must decide.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students play Bingo with a difference: Numbers have been replaced with personality traits and fun facts. By the end of the game, group members will know one another a little better.

Discover Activity

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a game similar to the classic Go Fish, using index cards that state synonyms for various feelings. They play the game in small groups and then discuss their emotions and experiences.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

Discover Activity

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore situations in their lives that cause stress, the potentially harmful effects of stress, and how they can manage stressful situations.

Discover Activity

Messages to the Past

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Messages to the Past

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students activate their imagination by writing a letter to a parent or significant adult in their life, and addressing the recipient as middle school students.

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students learn about each other as they engage in conversations with a purpose. They sit in a circle and talk alternately with the person on their left and then the person on their right. Their goal is to find something in common with each partner that they don't have in common with the other partner.

Discover Activity

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn the warning signs of depression. They create a drawing, a poster, a public service announcement (PSA), or other work to communicate information about depression.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

The Puppet Version of Me

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

The Puppet Version of Me

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students use a variety of materials to create paper-bag puppets that represent their looks and interests. Then they use their puppets to give a presentation about themselves to the group, puppet-show style.

Discover Activity

Body Language

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Body Language

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Explore the power of body language in interviews! In this exciting lesson, students dive into the world of non-verbal communication. They play interactive games, watch videos, and create Body Language Stories to master the art of body language. By the end, they're equipped with the skills to convey messages beyond words.

This is lesson 14 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

Creating the Best Place

Belonging and Community, We The People

Creating the Best Place

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Build on students' sense of place by having students work together to plan and consider ideas for improving a neighborhood. In this activity, they share drawings or other models, and then recognize that people may have different ideas for the neighborhoods in which they want to live.

Discover Activity

Respecting Others

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Respecting Others

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn that everyone has traits that make them unique and play a game to explore their similarities and differences.

Discover Activity

Meet the Me Puppet

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Meet the Me Puppet

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a sock puppet to represent themselves. Then the group uses their puppets to have conversations with one another. The activity aims to provide students with an outlet for speaking up in their own voice. Another benefit of the activity is that it allows students to define the elements of their essential selves.

Discover Activity

Decisions… Decisions…

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Decisions… Decisions…

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Every day we face choices. Making a choice when there is no obvious right answer can be difficult. Sometimes we can come to a compromise, and other times we must go with our gut. Today, students get a prompt to create a skit with 2 actors' present choices, with no obvious right answer, to a third actor, who must decide.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students play Bingo with a difference: Numbers have been replaced with personality traits and fun facts. By the end of the game, group members will know one another a little better.

Discover Activity

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students make a game similar to the classic Go Fish, using index cards that state synonyms for various feelings. They play the game in small groups and then discuss their emotions and experiences.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Leadership and Teamwork, Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

Discover Activity

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Whole Body, Whole Self

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore situations in their lives that cause stress, the potentially harmful effects of stress, and how they can manage stressful situations.

Discover Activity

Messages to the Past

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Messages to the Past

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students activate their imagination by writing a letter to a parent or significant adult in their life, and addressing the recipient as middle school students.

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students learn about each other as they engage in conversations with a purpose. They sit in a circle and talk alternately with the person on their left and then the person on their right. Their goal is to find something in common with each partner that they don't have in common with the other partner.

Discover Activity

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Arts in Action, Belonging and Community

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students learn the warning signs of depression. They create a drawing, a poster, a public service announcement (PSA), or other work to communicate information about depression.

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Belonging and Community

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students role-play a job interview by taking on the role of either the applicant or the hiring committee. Students will develop key critical-thinking and analysis skills, as well as collaboration skills.

Discover Activity

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Copyright © 2025, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.

Library

CategoriesCollaboratorsExplore

Community

Our StoryTeam MizzenEventsThe Mizzen Minute

Engage

NewsroomContact UsPrivacy Policy

Account

Sign InCreate an AccountMizzen for Teams

Copyright © 2025, Mizzen Education, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to empower, uplift and support out-of-school time educators.