Building Foundations: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in 6th Grade

At Mark Day School, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) isn’t a buzzword—it’s a core part of how we help our students grow into thoughtful, resilient, and connected young people. Strong SEL skills and mindsets help build community and form a crucial part of long-term academic and career success. 

For 6th graders in particular, there are more new students than in any other grade, and all 6th graders are navigating a different kind of schedule for the first time. Developmentally, friendships start to matter more, kids are more deeply rooted in the digital world, and they’re gaining more awareness of how others perceive them. Below are some ways SEL is incorporated into the regular curriculum for 6th graders at Mark Day School.

Building a New Community

Sixth grade homeroom teachers Tim Evans, Beckie Mejia, and Deb Pannell, along with school counselor Heather Rael, organize various team-building activities designed to bring students together and teach them the importance of collaboration. Heather says, “Because we want new students to integrate into the class, it’s important to establish a new community and help kids see the opportunity to intentionally make new friends. We know that even though students are hungry for (new) friends, it does not always happen naturally!” 

One favorite activity is the “minefield” game, where students have to work together to navigate a grid without stepping in the wrong spots. They must communicate effectively, support one another, and ensure everyone’s input is valued in order to succeed. It’s a simple but powerful way to show students that, just like in friendships, if one person is left out, it makes a big impact on the whole. After each activity, the students debrief with Heather or a teacher and consider what worked, what didn’t, and how each person contributed to the overall goal. These reflections are key in helping students understand how their actions impact others and how they can adjust and grow moving forward.

Communication and Boundaries

Another major focus of our 6th grade SEL curriculum is helping students understand the importance of boundaries and how to communicate effectively when those boundaries are tested. “We want our students to recognize that it’s good to speak up when something doesn’t feel right,” says Heather. “And just as importantly, we want them to know how to do it in a healthy, constructive way.” Additionally, we create opportunities for students to recognize when their peers set boundaries and practice responding to them respectfully and appropriately. 

Students are encouraged to think through different scenarios, like what happens if they stay silent in a situation versus what happens if they speak up. These discussions give students the space to explore different responses and consider consequences, with the goal of giving them the tools they need to manage their relationships, whether in person or online, in a thoughtful and respectful manner.

Friendships

In 6th grade, friendships are more than common interests—they become a key part of students’ social identity. Students reflect on the qualities they value in a friend and what they bring to the table as a friend themselves. One discussion centers around the phrase “just kidding.” It’s a common phrase, but when students break down the hidden meaning behind it—and how it feels to be on the receiving end—they gain a deeper understanding of how words can have an impact that might not have been intended.

Open Sessions

A cornerstone of our SEL program in grades 5-8 is Open Session, where students bring up real-life issues and support each other in working through them. It’s an opportunity for classmates to offer advice, listen, and practice positive communication in a safe, structured environment. These sessions build empathy, boost confidence, and help students develop strategies for dealing with the everyday social and emotional challenges they may encounter. 

Why SEL is so important

At Mark Day School, SEL is just one example of the evidence- and experience-backed approaches that we take to prepare students for their world today and for their lives and careers going forward. Whether it’s learning how to be a good teammate, setting boundaries, or reflecting on friendships, we’re preparing our students to be resilient, empathetic, and thoughtful young people who know how to manage conflict and adversity. SEL isn’t just a one-time lesson. It’s something we weave into everything we do at Mark Day School.