Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Questions for Middle School Students

Self-Awareness:

- What are three things that make you unique?
- How do you feel when you succeed at something difficult?
- What are your top three strengths?
- What are your top three areas for growth?
- Describe a time when you felt really proud of yourself.
- How do you handle criticism or feedback?
- What activities help you relax and recharge?
- What are some things that make you anxious or stressed?
- How do you recognize when you're feeling overwhelmed?
- What strategies do you use to stay focused on your goals?

Self-Regulation:

- How do you calm yourself down when you're upset or angry?
- Describe a time when you felt comfortable talking about your feelings.
- How do you handle anger without hurting others?
- What do you do when you feel overwhelmed by sadness?
- How can you share your excitement and joy with others?
- How do you cope with fear or anxiety?
- How do you support friends who are going through tough times emotionally?
- How do you recognize and address emotional triggers?
- What creative outlets help you express your emotions?
- How do you know whenseeking help for your emotions is okays?

Gratitude and Positivity:

- What are three things you're grateful for today?
- How do you maintain a positive outlook on life?
- Describe a time when you turned a negative situation into a positive one.
- How do you express appreciation for the people in your life?
- How can you find joy in small everyday moments?
- How do you stay hopeful in challenging times?
- How can you spread positivity to others?
- What strategies help you reframe negative thoughts?
- How do you practice self-compassion and self-love?
- How do you celebrate your achievements, no matter how small?

Goal Setting and Planning:

- What are your short-term goals for this school year?
- How do you set and prioritize your goals?
- Describe a time when you achieved a goal you set for yourself.
- How do you create a plan to reach your goals?
- What steps can you take to stay motivated?
- How do you overcome obstacles when pursuing your goals?
- How can you break down big goals into smaller, manageable tasks?
- How do you adjust your goals when circumstances change?
- What's a healthy way to deal with frustration?
- How do you manage your time and stay organized?
- What do you do to stay focused on your schoolwork?
- How can you improve your impulse control?
- Describe a time when you had to show patience.
- What helps you make good decisions?
- How do you handle disappointment?
- What are some strategies to manage stress during exams?
- What's your plan when you're tempted to procrastinate?

Empathy:

- How do you show kindness to others?
- Describe a time when you helped someone in need.
- What does"walk in someone else's shoes" mean"?
- How can you be a better listener?
- How do you comfort a friend who’s going through a tough time?
- What can you do to understand someone's feelings better?
- How do you respond when someone is upset?
- Describe a time when you felt really understood by a friend.
- How can you be more supportive of your peers?
- What's the importance of respecting others' boundaries?

Relationship Skills:

- How do you make new friends?
- What qualities do you value in a good friend?
- How do you resolve conflicts with friends or family members?
- What makes a strong team member?
- How do you communicate your needs effectively?
- What are some ways to build trust in a relationship?
- How do you maintain healthy friendships?
- What do you do when someone is being mean or disrespectful?
- How do you handle peer pressure?
- How can you be a positive influence on your friends?

Responsible Decision-Making:

- What factors do you consider when making a decision?
- How do you weigh the pros and cons of a choice?
- Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision.
- How do you take responsibility for your actions?
- What's the importance of thinking before you act?
- How do you set goals and create action plans?
- What role does ethics play in decision-making?
- How do you make choices that align with your values?
- How do you learn from your mistakes?
- What strategies help you make informed decisions?

Social Awareness:

- How do you stay informed about current events?
- Why is it important to understand different cultures?
- What are some ways to show respect for diversity?
- How do you recognize and challenge stereotypes?
- Describe a time when you stood up for someone who was treated unfairly.
- How can you be more aware of the needs of your community?
- What does it mean to be a responsible global citizen?
- How do you show gratitude for the people in your life?
- How can you promote empathy and inclusion in your school?
- How do you stay open-minded and willing to learn from others?

Social Responsibility:

- How do you contribute to a positive school environment?
- What are some ways to reduce your environmental footprint?
- How can you help those less fortunate in your community?
- How do you take care of your physical health?
- What can you do to support mental health awareness?
- How do you practice good digital citizenship?
- Describe a time when you volunteered to help others.
- How do you show respect for authority figures?
- How can you be a responsible and safe bystander?
- How do you stand up against bullying or discrimination?

Conflict Resolution:

- How do you approach conflicts with a calm and open mind?
- What steps can you take to resolve disagreements peacefully?
- How do you find common ground with someone you disagree with?
- Describe a time when you successfully resolved a conflict.
- How can you be a mediator between friends in conflict?
- How do you avoid escalating a disagreement into an argument?
- What strategies help you communicate effectively during conflicts?
- How do you apologize when you've made a mistake?
- How can you forgive others when they've hurt you?
- How do you rebuild trust after a conflict?

Mindfulness and Well-being:

- What does it mean to be mindful?
- How do you practice mindfulness in your daily life?
- Describe a time when mindfulness helped you manage stress.
- What self-care practices do you engage in regularly?
- How do you stay physically active and healthy?
- How can you improve your sleep habits?
- How do you cope with test anxiety or performance pressure?
- How do you manage your screen time and digital well-being?
- What role does gratitude play in your life?
- How do you promote a positive body image for yourself and others?

Emotional Expression:

- How do you express your emotions in a healthy way?