Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

15 Activities

Grades K - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Categories: Social and Emotional Awareness, Leadership and Teamwork

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

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades K - 2

The Puppet Version of Me

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

The Puppet Version of MeSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Body Language

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Body Language

PBS

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

Body LanguageSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Creating the Best Place

Social and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

Grades 3 - 5

Creating the Best Place

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Creating the Best PlaceSocial and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Respecting Others

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades K - 2

Respecting Others

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Respecting OthersSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Meet the Me Puppet

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Meet the Me Puppet

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Meet the Me PuppetSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Decisions… Decisions…

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Decisions… Decisions…

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Decisions… Decisions…Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word GameSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Career and Future Readiness, Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)Career and Future Readiness, Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

Grades 6 - 8

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Messages to the Past

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Messages to the Past

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Messages to the PastSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

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

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

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

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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.

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Watch for the Warning Signs of DepressionSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 9 - 12

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)Social and Emotional Awareness, Career and Future Readiness

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

Mizzen Education, Inc.↗️

Amplify Youth Voice with SEL

Grades K - 12

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Overview

The Puppet Version of Me

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades K - 2

The Puppet Version of Me

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

The Puppet Version of MeSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Body Language

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Body Language

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

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

Discover Activity

Body LanguageSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Creating the Best Place

Social and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

Grades 3 - 5

Creating the Best Place

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Creating the Best PlaceSocial and Emotional Awareness, History and Society

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Respecting Others

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades K - 2

Respecting Others

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

Respecting OthersSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Meet the Me Puppet

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades 3 - 5

Meet the Me Puppet

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Meet the Me PuppetSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Decisions… Decisions…

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Decisions… Decisions…

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Decisions… Decisions…Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 3-5)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

“Go Feel!”: An Emotion Word GameSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Career and Future Readiness, Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

Grades 6 - 8

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 6-8)Career and Future Readiness, Literacy, Leadership and Teamwork

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

Grades 6 - 8

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

Handling Stress (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Health and Wellness

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Messages to the Past

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Messages to the Past

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

Messages to the PastSocial and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

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

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

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

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Social and Emotional Awareness, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

Watch for the Warning Signs of Depression

Mizzen Education, Inc.

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

Watch for the Warning Signs of DepressionSocial and Emotional Awareness, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Career and Future Readiness

Grades 9 - 12

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Whom Do You Hire? (Grades 9-12)Social and Emotional Awareness, Career and Future Readiness