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Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an approach that brings into our curriculums issues related to the personal development of our students. We don’t just teach curriculum, subjects - we also teach students. With all their ups and downs, warts and bruises.
One SEL topic at the top of the list is that of happiness. It’s an important issue, especially so given that surveys have found that post covid pandemic, students are much more depressed, negative and feeling bleak. It’s our role as educators to tackle that problem. Watch this short wonderful talk with the amazing conductor, Benjamin Zander, on how he brings joy to his orchestra - but think about “orchestra” as your students. He shares some great wisdom.
Here are a few ideas on how to bring happiness into your classroom as a lesson focus.
Simply ask students to list, share and discuss the things that make them happy. Use this handy template. It’s a good starting point, entry, into the topic.
Teach students strategies on how to become happy, how to change their mood and control how they feel. There are specific strategies that help us to become happier. Also, discuss what things make you happy - what are the things everyone can do to be happy, feel happy? See this video with excellent listening content.
Happy songs. Music is a wonderful avenue straight into the heart of happiness. Plan some “happy” songs into your lessons. Of course, Pharell’s “Happy” is top of the list.
The Rat Race. It’s an intriguing video and will get your students thinking of the wider issue of how society ruins our happiness. Like the video and talk above, discuss with students how to create a happier world. What can we change about the world we live in, so it will be a happier place for all?
Small Pleasures. Sometimes, we only think of the BIG things when it comes to happiness. You know, getting $, presents, winning at something etc … But true happiness is hidden in gratitude and the experience of the small things. Discuss what small pleasures make your students happy. See these examples.
Stories. Stories are a great way to learn about how to maintain happiness within. Here is one example you might use. Find a story with a lesson about happiness for students and retell the story together and discuss its moral.
Poetry. Like a previous post mentioned, poetry is a great gateway into any SEL lesson. Why not have students write 5 sentences starting with “Happiness is …” then read them together, share with the class as a poem. You’ll be amazed how well this works! Or even just try an acrostic poem where students write sentences related to HAPPY - starting with each letter of the word.
You won’t regret using happiness as a theme for lessons. They will bring the class together and it’s a topic, we all face on a daily basis.
See all our resources and videos related to “happy”, for more lesson inspiration! Also, please subscribe to our Youtube channel. We need your help to grow. Get daily, quality content and every week 5 subscribers will get free memberships to our lesson library in our weekly draw!
Lessons About Happiness