Introduction

During these challenging times, middle school students need to adapt and thrive in new ways. Social distancing has led to a greater emphasis on self-care and personal growth. This blog post focuses on helping educators teach their students valuable social-emotional skills that will not only help them cope with the current situation but also prepare them for future challenges. We will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators support their students in this journey.

No-Prep Activity: The Daily Schedule

This activity encourages middle school students to create a daily schedule that incorporates various aspects of their lives. By organizing their time effectively, students can maintain a healthy balance between schoolwork, hobbies, and personal growth. Here’s how the activity works:

1. Ask students to list their daily tasks and activities, such as schoolwork, exercise, hobbies, chores, and family time.
2. Encourage students to prioritize their tasks and allocate specific time slots for each activity.
3. Remind students to include breaks and leisure time in their schedule.
4. Have students share their schedules with the class and discuss the benefits of managing time effectively.

This activity promotes self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision-making, which are essential social-emotional skills for middle school students.

Discussion Questions

1. What are some challenges you face while following a daily schedule? How can you overcome them?
2. How does maintaining a balanced schedule help you cope with the challenges of social distancing?
3. What new interests or hobbies have you discovered during this time? How do these activities contribute to your personal growth?
4. How can you support your family members during this time, both emotionally and with household chores?
5. What strategies can you use to limit distractions, such as excessive internet use or video games, to focus on more productive activities?

Related Skills

While organizing time effectively is a crucial skill, there are other related skills that middle school students can develop during social distancing. These include:

• Communication: Encourage students to maintain open lines of communication with their family members and friends, even if it’s through virtual means.
• Empathy: Teach students to understand and appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others, especially during challenging times.
• Resilience: Help students develop the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to new circumstances.
• Goal-setting: Guide students in setting realistic goals for themselves and working towards achieving them.

Next Steps

As an educator, you play a vital role in helping middle school students develop essential social-emotional skills during social distancing. Don’t miss the opportunity to access valuable resources and support your students in their journey. Sign up for free samples of skill-building materials at Everyday Speech, and explore more ways to help your students thrive in new ways!