Tier 1 Counseling Classroom Lessons, Activities, & Games
Looking for sel lessons that don't eat your Sunday? Every resource here is something I've actually used in my own classroom guidance and small groups. They're built for the way school counselors work, not the way curriculum companies imagine we work.
The collection covers the topics I get the most questions about from other counselors:
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Coping skills and emotional regulation
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Anxiety, worry, and self-awareness
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Kindness, empathy, and positive behavior
Most lessons come in printable and digital formats so you can pick whichever your room needs that day.
Why these work
Each lesson includes the slide deck or printable, the student-facing pieces, and short counselor notes on how I actually run it. No "build your own activity from these guidelines." You open it, you teach it.
That's the entire pitch.
If you're delivering Tier 1 classroom guidance, running small groups, or pulling kids individually, these flex across all three settings.
Want unlimited access?
If you're going to use more than a handful of these, IMPACT is my membership for school counselors who want unlimited access to every lesson, worksheet, and activity in the shop. It runs $39/month or $390/year, and about 1,000 counselors are using it right now.
[Learn more about IMPACT]
FAQs
Why these sel lessons?
They're written by a school counselor, for school counselors. Low-prep on purpose, because that's the constraint we actually work under.
What is an sel lesson?
SEL stands for social emotional learning. An sel lesson is a structured activity that teaches a specific skill: emotional regulation, empathy, self-awareness, responsible decision-making. The skills that support both academics and how kids show up with each other.
Are these for elementary or middle school?
Both. Each product lists the grade range. The collection skews K-5 with some 6-8 options.
Are they printable or digital?
Most include both formats. Use whichever fits your setting.
What's in a typical lesson?
Slides for direct instruction, a student worksheet or activity, and brief counselor notes. Some include a game or hands-on component.
Showing 117 products
High school counselors, are you looking for an engaging way to help students build real-world skills they’ll actually use? This Workplace Wisdom Career Lesson uses realistic scenarios to help students practice making thoughtful, responsible decisions in workplace and life situations. Perfect for classroom...
High school counselors, do you plan on hosting a freshman parent night or 9th grade orientation? This Freshman Foundations Presentation provides families and students with essential information to support a successful transition into high school. Designed to set the tone early, this presentation helps...
Are your students coming to school tired, unfocused, or struggling to build healthy routines? This Sleep Hygiene & Wellness counseling lesson helps upper elementary students understand the importance of sleep and gives them the tools they need to build better habits at...
Are you looking for a fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate way to teach growth mindset to your primary students? This hands-on growth mindset counseling lesson is designed specifically for little learners to help them understand perseverance, resilience, and the power of “yet”! With interactive...
Looking for an engaging, low-prep way to teach self-esteem to your primary students? This hands-on, interactive school counseling lesson is designed specifically for young learners and helps students build confidence, practice positive thinking, and recognize what makes them unique! Perfect for busy school counselors...
Artificial intelligence is everywhere—and students need clear guidance on how to use AI responsibly and with integrity. This Using AI with Integrity middle school counseling lesson helps students think critically about AI dependency, understand the value of productive struggle, and learn how to approach challenging assignments...
Teaching personal safety at a young age is essential—and this Primary Personal Safety Class Lesson helps students build strong safety awareness in a way that is engaging and age-appropriate. This Tier 1, whole-class counseling lesson was created specifically for primary students and includes hands-on, movement-based activities that help young learners understand safe vs...
Teaching young students how to talk with others is a critical part of building friendships—and this Conversing with Others & Social Skills Primary Class Lesson makes learning social skills simple, engaging, and fun! This Tier 1, social skills class counseling lesson is designed specifically for primary students and...
Looking for SEL lessons for primary students? This bundle covers high need topics like coping skills, conflict resolution, and anxiety! ***This is a growing bundle which means the price will increase as new resources are added. Once all 10 resources are added...
Looking for a ready to use anxiety lesson for your primary students? This identifying worries classroom guidance lesson is designed to be used with Pre-K to 1st-grade students in a tier 1 class lesson setting. By using an engaging icebreaker, fun...
Looking for a ready to use coping skills lesson for your primary students? This coping skills classroom guidance lesson is designed to be used with Pre-K to 1st-grade students in a tier 1 class lesson setting. By using an engaging icebreaker,...
In December, we recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities and now you've got a lesson ready to go! Through this classroom counseling lesson, students will discuss and appreciate people who are similar and different from them. Aligned to the ASCA Awareness Calendar it is...