Integrated approach to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
At Linder, SEL isn’t a separate subject—it’s part of daily life. From resolving peer conflicts to building resilience during tough assignments, students learn to manage emotions, communicate effectively, and show empathy through real-world experiences.
We also offer structured lessons on topics like self-regulation, managing anxiety, and reading social cues—especially helpful for students who need extra support. In high school, SEL expands to include goal-setting, self-advocacy, and navigating stress—skills that prepare students for college and beyond.
This integrated, developmentally appropriate approach helps every student grow in confidence, emotional awareness, and social connection—every day.
Our daily SEL curriculum is for all students and includes teachings related to:
Self-Awareness
Encouraging students to recognize their emotions, thoughts, and values
Self-Management
Developing skills for goal-setting and personal achievement
Relationship Skills
Nurturing the ability to form positive, healthy relationships
Social awareness & empathy
Cultivating empathy and understanding for diverse perspectives and backgrounds
Emotion Regulation
Guiding students to effectively manage and express their emotions
Responsible Decision-Making
Teaching students to make thoughtful decisions and understand their impact
Our commitment to SEL is unwavering. We strive to ensure that every student not only excels academically but grows into a socially aware, emotionally intelligent individual, capable of navigating life's challenges with confidence and compassion. Here are a few example lessons to demonstrate how social-emotional learning is integrated into the classroom:
Example SEL lessons: K-1
Feelings & Faces – Students match facial expressions to feeling words, then practice sharing how they feel using sentence starters like “I feel ___ because ___.”
Taking Turns – Through a board game, students practice patience, turn-taking, and using polite language like “your turn” and “thank you.”
Calm Corner – Children explore a designated calm-down space with sensory tools and practice using it when they feel overwhelmed or frustrated.
Example SEL lessons: 2-4
Building Friendships – Students role-play how to introduce themselves, ask to join in, or handle small conflicts, then reflect with a group discussion.
Managing Big Emotions – After reading a story about anger, students create their own emotion thermometers and learn calming strategies like counting or breathing.
Growth Mindset – Weekly journaling activity where students reflect on a challenge they faced and how they worked through it, reinforcing resilience and self-awareness.
Example SEL lessons: 5-8
Social Scenarios – Students analyze real-life peer situations (e.g., exclusion, group work tensions) and work in groups to brainstorm positive responses.
Stress & Coping – Students explore their personal stress triggers, learn coping skills (like movement, reframing, or asking for help), and build a personal “regulation plan.”
Digital Communication & Empathy – A lesson on tone and intent in texting and social media helps students understand how messages can be misinterpreted and how to respond with empathy.
Example SEL lessons: 9-12
Self-Advocacy – Students practice how to approach a teacher for clarification, ask for extensions, or request accommodations—essential prep for college life and beyond.
Reframing Negative Self-Talk – In small group advisory, students identify unhelpful thought patterns and practice replacing them with more constructive self-talk strategies.
Navigating Group Dynamics – During a group project, students reflect on roles, communication, and accountability—learning conflict resolution, leadership, and collaboration skills.