Book Companions with Social Emotional Learning Activities and SEL Activities

Description

Fewer behavior issues. Stronger classroom community. SEL activities that actually stick—in just 15 minutes a day. This all-access SEL lesson bundle gives you 57+ ready-to-go SEL units built around meaningful mentor texts your students already love. Real conversations and real growth without adding to your already-full plate.

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Here’s how these SEL book companion units are different…

 

✔️ One SEL focus per week so students can actually absorb the message—not just hear it and move on.

 

✔️ Each unit starts with a mentor text that makes the focus relatable and easy to connect with.

 

✔️ Just 15 minutes a day so SEL fits into your routine without adding stress.

 

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This might be my absolute favorite TPT purchase ever, and I’ve purchased a lot!! My new school requires 15 minutes of SEL to start our day and with everything else at the beginning of the year, I was overwhelmed with how to implement that. This resource has been an absolute lifesaver! The books are great choices, the activities are age appropriate, and I can legit have students engaged in conversation for a solid 15 minutes each morning, which is saying a lot for kindergarten! The part of my day I was unsure of is now my favorite part of our day! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

-Holly G.

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Let’s be honest—stuff comes up. Friendship drama, big feelings, classroom conflicts… and you don’t always have time to plan a perfect response. This bundle gives you a full SEL lesson library to pull from anytime you need it. Search by focus and teach what your students actually need—not just what a canned curriculum says it’s time for.

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Teach daily 15-minute SEL lessons or combine them depending on YOUR schedule…

Monday
Read the mentor text and introduce the weekly SEL focus with included discussion prompts.

Tuesday
Hold a class meeting to dig deeper. Students reflect through drawing or writing.

Wednesday
Watch a short video and continue the conversation with real-world connections.

Thursday
Complete a hands-on activity or game that reinforces the SEL goal.

Friday
Wrap it up with another journal reflection and a Home Connection page to bring families into the conversation.

It’s consistent, low-prep, and effective… everything you need SEL to be.

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Teacher tested in real classrooms…

The kids love the stories and I love being able to connect back to them when problems arise during class! -Hayley D.

Starting with a story and then making text-to-self and text-to-world connections provided students with a way to share their own thoughts and experiences as well as how they connect to our classroom. -Daniel E.

Love the organization with the daily lesson plan for each week. -Amanda P.

I love the way that repeated discussions around the focus of the week really deepens students’ understanding over time. -Melinda M.

Very student centered and well presented to lead conversation. -Rachel E

My third graders are applying these character lessons and are taking them to heart. My only regret is not purchasing it sooner! -Cassandra

It has changed the climate of my classroom!!! -Sarah

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This isn’t a one-and-done packet or some rigid, scripted program. It’s a full social emotional learning bundle you can actually use all year—whether you’re building classroom community or just trying to get through a tough week!

You’ve got enough on your plate – Let this all access bundle take SEL off your to-do list!!

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Here’s a look at the included mentor texts and their SEL focus:

What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick

Focus: We can respect each other and our classroom.

 

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy

Focus: I can have the courage to just be m

 

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker by Christianne Jones

Focus: We are effective listeners.

 

Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a Big Deal by Jeanie Franz Ransom

Focus: We only report things that are a big deal.

 

Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook

Focus: We can respect the personal space of others

 

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Focus: We can give genuine apologies.

 

Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein

Focus: Understanding that our actions can impact other people.

 

Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter

Focus: We understand why it is important to follow directions.

 

But It’s Not My Fault! by Julia Cook

Focus: We can take responsibility for our own actions.

 

The BugyBops: Friends for All Time by Amy Recob

Focus: We know how to keep our friends safe. (food allergy awareness)

 

We’re All Wonders by RJ Palacio

Focus: We choose kindness.

 

My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook

Focus: We can wait to talk until it is our turn.

 

The Way I Act by Steve Metzger

Focus: Our actions show others who we are.

 

Pig the Pug by Aaron Blabey

Focus: We can share with our friends.

 

You Get What You Get by Julie Glassman

Focus: We are grateful for what we are given.

 

Even Superheroes Have Bad Days by Shelly Becker

Focus: We can handle our bad days like superheroes (coping strategies).

 

The Worst Day of My Life Ever by Julia Cook

Focus: I can not only hear, but I also listen carefully.

 

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall

Focus: We all have special talents.

 

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Focus: We are flexible thinkers.

 

I Just Want to Do It My Way by Julia Cook

Focus: We can ask for help when we need it.

 

Say Please, Louise by Phil Roxbee Cox

Focus: We have manners.

 

Decibella and Her 6-Inch Voice by Julia Cook

Focus: We know the best voice level for every situation.

 

Waiting Isn’t Easy by Mo Willems

Focus: We can be patient when waiting for something.

 

Baditude by Julia Cook

Focus: We can have a positive attitude.

 

Up the Creek by Nicholas Oldland

Focus: We can disagree politely.

 

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Focus: We know how to start a conversation with someone else.

 

The Technology Tail by Julia Cook

Focus: We are digital citizens.

 

Pig the Winner by Aaron Blabey

Focus: We have good sportsmanship.

 

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill

Focus: We can be independent problem solvers.

 

Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big by Berkely Breathed

Focus: We tell the truth, even if it’s hard to do.

 

Perfect Square by Michael Hall

Focus:We aren’t perfect, and that’s okay!

 

Hattie and Hudson by Chris Van Dusen

Focus:We are upstanders.

 

The Bad Seed by Jory John

Focus: We are all capable of “goodness.”

 

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat

Focus: We can get back up after we fall.

 

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett

Focus: We can take chances and risks, even when we are scared.

 

Nugget and Fang by Tammi Sauer

Focus: We can have friends that are different than we are.

 

Being Frank by Donna W. Earnhardt

Focus: We can serve the truth with more sugar.

 

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Focus: We have perseverance.

 

There Might Be Lobsters by Carolyn Crimi

Focus: We can overcome our fears.

 

We’re Growing by Laurie Keller

Focus: We are ALL special.

 

I’m Not Scared… I’m Prepared by Julia Cook

Focus: We are always prepared.

 

Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne and Max Lang

Focus: We celebrate all kinds of families.

 

The Smart Cookie by Pete Oswald and Jory John

Focus: Positive Self Talk

 

Peanut Butter and Cupcake by Terry Borde

Focus: Making Friends

 

The Sour Grape by Pete Oswald and Jory John

Focus: Forgiveness

 

Seasonal SEL

August

You’re Finally Here! by Melanie Watt

Focus: We’re excited to be back at school.

 

September

A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner

Focus: We can be brave and excited about new things.

 

October

The Good, the Bad and the Spooky by Pete Oswald and Jory John

Focus: Big Deal vs Little Deal

 

November

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano

Focus: We can be our true selves.

 

December

Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini

Focus: We can make the best out of any situation.

 

January

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Focus: We know how to act in each place.

 

February

The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll

Focus: We can compromise.

 

March

The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun by Laura Murray

Focus: We can use teamwork to solve problems.

 

April

The Big Umbrella by Amy & Juniper Bates

Focus: We include everyone no matter their differences.

 

May

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

Focus: We have the power to create positive change.

 

June

Last Day Blues by Junie Danneburg

Focus: We can celebrate the friendships we’ve built.

 

July

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Focus: We can take small steps to reach our goals.

 

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