Search 3rd Grade Social Emotional Lesson Plans

In this lesson, students will explore phrases related to growth mindset through the eyes of basketball player Michael Jordan. They will hear a story about Jordan overcoming his self-doubts and reflect on ways they can approach challenges.

In this lesson, students will move through stations to practice and reflect on the mindfulness and social emotional learning tools that they have learned throughout the year.

We all have our own home of feelings inside, like a shell that we can tuck into when needed. This we learn from turtles, and now your students can too. This lesson helps students access that place inside full of feelings, emotions, and thoughts.

Mindfulness 101! Students focus on the present moment using their senses to observe what is happening right now. They are introduced to the idea that mindfulness is about paying attention to the present.

It all starts with gratitude. In this lesson, students will reflect on what they are grateful for and create a gratitude card and web of gratitude.

Identifying and describing their feelings is an important part of the way children develop social skills. This lesson teaches your students how to identify feelings, and then elaborate on them by speaking and writing in complete sentences.

In this lesson, students will work in groups and cut out pictures to make a collage that encapsulates their greatest strengths and talents. The class will compile all their collages to showcase their talents.

Owls hear so well that they can hunt in the dark. Have your students try on their owl ears! In this lesson, students open up their ears to all the sounds around them, close and far away, and go on a sound hunt.

What makes an excellent leader? In this lesson, students will discuss leadership and design a video that informs others of what it means to be a positive leader.

Students will explore self-esteem through the book I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont. They will write secret kindness notes to others and to themselves, and reflect on how self-esteem can support connection with oneself and the community.

In this lesson, students will learn the term "restorative justice." They will discuss the role of restorative justice in the book What are you staring at?, and they will brainstorm ways they can bring these practices into the classroom.

Words can uplift others, but they can also cause harm. In this lesson, students will hear the story Desmond and the Very Mean Word, and they'll discuss the power of positive and negative words in friendships, school, and community.

In this lesson, students will hear the story Lovely and work in small groups to create a book or a symbol of appreciation for others' differences. Students will consider how appreciating differences supports community and relationships.

In this lesson, students will hear the story "The Way I Act" and complete two activities connected to the story. They will practice mindful breathing and explore how to have more control over their bodies, behaviors, emotions, and choices.

Performing acts of kindness and love can bring classrooms together! In this lesson, students will hear true stories of random acts of kindness and will perform kind deeds of their own in groups.

Service can bring out the best in people and communities. In this lesson, students discuss what it means to serve and explore ways that they would like to support their school and community with service work.

Imagine wild animals teaching students to walk mindfully, and camoflauge teaching about stillness. This lesson takes a cue from animal adaptations as students practice walking and pausing mindfully.

Deep relaxation in school? Yes, it is possible! Through this process you will guide students to consciously focus on relaxing various body parts, leading to a visualization to help relax their full body mindfully.

What if you imagine your lungs as wings? In this lesson, a butterfly helps teach students about mindful breathing. Learn to use the butterfly breath in three different ways!

What happens when students explore their senses on the inside? This lesson encourages students to look at, listen to, and feel what is happening on the inside through practicing mindfulness.

Deliberate practice of gratitude is a powerful way to grow happiness and build resilience. In this lesson, students will create a book as a way of reflecting on being human and practicing gratitude.

In this lesson, students will read the story My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, and reflect on the many different feelings we may experience. They will use body maps to color in where they may feel different emotions in their body.

Group work can build cooperation and problem-solving skills inside and outside of the classroom! In this lesson, students will discuss cooperation and practice using cooperative techniques in human knot and tower-building activities.

Seeing the best in ourselves can support us emotionally, socially, and academically. In this lesson, students will reflect on when they have been their best selves, and they'll practice loving kindness during a mindfulness session.