Building Emotional Intelligence is an ongoing class designed for students ages 7-11 that incorporates engaging picture book read-alouds to explore various aspects of social-emotional learning. In each session, we will read a carefully chosen picture book that highlights a specific SEL topic, such as empathy, self-awareness, or resilience. Through group discussions and interactive activities, learners will practice essential social-emotional skills and deepen their understanding of emotional intelligence. Each week, we will focus on a new emotion or social skill, providing opportunities for learners to practice their newfound skills. As this is an ongoing class, learners do not require any prior knowledge and are welcome to join us at any point in time! Each class session will be formatted in this class structure:

Each class session will be formatted in this class structure:
✏️ Introduction and Warm-up (5 minutes): We will begin each session with a brief check-in and a fun icebreaker activity to help learners feel comfortable and engaged.
✏️ SEL Picture Book Read-Aloud (10 minutes): I will read a carefully selected picture book that highlights the social-emotional learning topic of the session. This read-aloud will serve as a springboard for further discussions and activities.
✏️ Group Discussion (10 minutes): Following the read-aloud, we will engage in an age-appropriate group discussion, exploring the story's themes and connecting them to the social-emotional learning topic.
✏️ Interactive Activity (15 minutes): Learners will participate in an interactive activity designed to reinforce the session's SEL topic and help them practice their new skills.
✏️ Reflection and Closure (5 minutes): We will end the session with a brief reflection on what we learned and a positive send-off.

Over the next few weeks, we will be covering the following topics:
⇢ Session 1: Understanding and Expressing Emotions
Picture Book: "The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions" by Anna Llenas
Interactive Activity: Emotion Charades - Learners will take turns acting out different emotions for the class to guess.
⇢ Session 2: Empathy and Active Listening
Picture Book: "Stand in My Shoes: Kids Learning About Empathy" by Bob Sornson
Interactive Activity: Empathy Scenarios - The class will be divided into small groups, and each group will be given a written scenario describing a situation where empathy is needed. The groups will discuss how they would respond in that situation and why, focusing on understanding the feelings of others and practicing empathetic responses.
⇢ Session 3: Building Healthy Relationships
Picture Book: "How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them" by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
Interactive Activity: Friendship Recipe - Learners will collaborate to create a recipe for a great friendship by discussing and listing essential qualities.
⇢ Session 4: Managing Conflicts and Resolving Disputes
Picture Book: "Talk and Work It Out" by Cheri J. Meiners
Interactive Activity: Conflict Resolution Scenarios - Learners will be presented with various conflict situations and will work together to brainstorm solutions.
⇢ Session 5: Developing Self-awareness and Self-esteem
Picture Book: "I Like Myself!" by Karen Beaumont
Interactive Activity: Personal Strengths Collage - Learners will create a visual representation of their strengths, talents, and things they like about themselves.
⇢ Session 6: Assertiveness and Setting Boundaries
Picture Book: "I Will Be Okay" by Laurie N. Wright
Interactive Activity: Yes, No, Maybe: Learners will be presented with different scenarios where they need to set boundaries. They will practice responding assertively with "yes," "no," or "maybe," depending on the situation.
⇢ Session 7: Cooperation and Teamwork
Picture Book: "Swimmy" by Leo Lionni
Interactive Activity: Group Puzzle Challenge - Learners will work together to complete a puzzle, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and communication.
⇢ Session 8: Emotional Resilience and Adaptability
Picture Book: "After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back up Again" by Dan Santat
Interactive Activity: Changing Perspectives: Learners will be presented with different scenarios that may initially seem negative. They will practice reframing these situations by identifying positive aspects or potential opportunities for growth.