These questions are designed to spark conversation with students to expand growth mindset and social-emotional learning. This week’s topic is leadership. The discussion provides opportunities to apply the affirmation to each of the five core competencies of social and emotional learning.
SEL Discussion Resource: I AM A LEADER
Self-awareness
- Let’s say the affirmation together: I am a leader.
- When working with a team on a project or in a sport, are you more likely to tell other people what to do or to follow the direction from others? How do you feel when someone puts you in charge?
- When someone else doesn’t do things the way you think they should be done, how do you handle it? Give an example of how negative emotions can influence a leader, and then give an example of a positive way to handle those emotions.
Self-management
- Leadership means accepting input and opinions from others on a team. How can you tell if you’re being too controlling and not letting someone else have a say?
- Conflicts are natural in groups. If you and another person disagreed about how to complete a task, how would you settle that disagreement?
Responsible decision-making
- Sometimes a task seems impossible. What would a problem-solving person do if everything the team tried wasn’t working?
- Leadership isn’t about being a bossy person. Describe a way you can influence someone else to do something that encourages them to use their own ideas and abilities without being demanding or bossing them around.
Social awareness
- The success of a team isn’t a win for the leader. It’s a win for everyone on the team. Describe what it means to collaborate rather than to have one person do everything.
- One job of a leader is to look for where someone else is too shy to speak up or doesn’t give their input. Why is it important to involve every person in a project?
Relationship skills
- Let’s say you noticed that some students were bullying another student. What actions would a leader take in this situation? Discuss the possible outcomes of each option.
- Imagine that you’re doing a group project and one person is the group leader. But someone else in the group has a concern that affects the success of the project. What might happen if the leader’s listening skills are weak and the leader chooses to ignore the input of the other person and demands that the group does it their way?
Next week’s SEL focus: I CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING
To find the full-size posters to use in your classroom (or the magnet or postcard size) visit our store.
Suggestion for virtual learning:
- Purchase a pack of 30 postcards for the teacher to hold the appropriate one up to the screen during discussion.
- Purchase a pack of 30 small hand-off notes for each student to have at home with them. This allows for an interactive and hands-on experience.
