Emily Russen

In this 30-minute, one-session lesson for 5th graders, students explore how social media can affect their mental health and learn strategies for mindful usage. This lesson empowers kids to recognize emotional triggers online, build healthy screen habits, and support each other’s well-being.

In this one-session 5th grade lesson, students will learn how to use social media safely and responsibly. They'll explore best practices for privacy, respectful communication, and identifying potential risks. This interactive 30-minute Tier 1 lesson empowers students with real-world digital citizenship skills.

In this 30-minute 3rd grade Tier 1 lesson, students will learn to distinguish between the actual size of a problem and their emotional reaction, helping them avoid unnecessary “drama.” This skill fosters self-awareness, emotional regulation, and stronger peer relationships by teaching students to assess situations calmly and choose appropriate responses.

This 4-session series for 3rd graders focuses on personal safety, empowering students with essential skills to recognize and respond to unsafe situations. Each 30-minute session will cover different aspects of safety, making it relevant and engaging for young learners.

In this two-session lesson for 5th graders, students will explore how the brain and emotions are interconnected. This lesson is important as it helps students understand their own emotional responses and develop emotional intelligence, which is crucial for personal and social development. Each session will last 30 minutes and will include engaging activities, a video, and a quiz to reinforce learning.

Explore the fascinating world of mental fatigue and how our brain needs rest, just like our bodies. This lesson helps students understand the importance of mental health and self-care, designed for a 5th-grade class in a 45-minute session.

Investigate the role of music in enhancing brain functions and mental health. This lesson connects the arts with science, showing how music can be therapeutic. Designed for a 5th-grade class, this 50-minute session explores the intersection of music and neuroscience, aiming to foster an appreciation for the therapeutic potential of music.

Explore the inner workings of the brain and how it affects thoughts, feelings, and actions. This lesson helps students understand the basic functions of different brain parts and their importance in everyday life. Designed for a 5th grade class, this engaging 45-minute session will captivate students' curiosity about their own minds.

This lesson is designed for a 3rd grade student, focusing on understanding the importance of avoiding threatening language when upset. Over two 20-minute sessions, the student will learn strategies to express emotions safely and constructively. This lesson is crucial for developing emotional intelligence and ensuring a safe environment for themselves and others.

This 4-session lesson for a 5th-grade class aims to educate students about harassment, including issues related to protected identities, and to empower them to stand up against it. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will learn to recognize harassment, understand its impact, and embrace diversity. This lesson is crucial for fostering a respectful and inclusive classroom environment.

A short lesson designed for a 2nd grade student to promote positive engagement with peers. The objective is to teach the student how to interact positively and build healthy relationships with classmates. The lesson will last 15 minutes.

A comprehensive 25-session series for 3rd-grade students focusing on perspective-taking. Each session will explore different aspects of understanding and appreciating different viewpoints, fostering empathy, and enhancing social-emotional skills.

This lesson introduces 4th-grade students to the concepts of harassment and protected categories in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner. By using trauma-informed teaching strategies, the lesson aims to create a safe space for students to explore these important topics. Students will engage in a guided discussion and reflection activity to deepen their understanding and empathy.

This lesson introduces 3rd graders to the concept of personal boundaries, both physical and emotional. Through interactive activities and discussions, students will learn to recognize and respect their own boundaries and those of others. Understanding personal boundaries is crucial for developing healthy relationships and self-awareness, and this lesson aims to provide students with the tools to communicate their needs effectively. The lesson is divided into two sessions to allow for deeper engagement and reflection.

This series of lessons introduces 5th-grade students to the concept of personal boundaries, helping them understand, recognize, and respect their own and others' boundaries. Through a trauma-informed approach, students will engage in activities that promote empathy, self-awareness, and effective communication, crucial for their social-emotional development.

In this lesson, students will learn about conflict resolution by creating and performing a skit. This hands-on approach allows students to actively engage with the material, promoting understanding and retention of conflict resolution strategies. By working in groups, students will also develop teamwork and communication skills.

This series of lessons is designed to help 3rd-grade students develop positive play and social skills through engaging activities spread over six sessions. By using trauma-informed teaching and game-based learning strategies, students will learn to interact positively with peers, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. This series is important as it helps students build essential social skills that contribute to their emotional well-being and success in collaborative settings.

This lesson introduces 3rd graders to the concept of 'problem size', helping them differentiate between small, medium, and large problems. By understanding problem size, students can better manage their reactions and responses to various situations. This lesson is important as it equips students with essential social-emotional skills, fostering resilience and emotional regulation.

This lesson introduces 5th-grade students to the concept of kindness and explores how it affects relationships. Through a mindfulness exercise, group activities, and discussions, students will learn to recognize and practice kindness in their daily interactions. This lesson is important as it fosters a positive classroom environment and helps students develop empathy and social skills.

This is the fourth lesson in a four-part series on bullying prevention. In this lesson, students will learn strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully. Through role-playing, discussions, and creating a class peace agreement, students will develop skills to handle disagreements constructively, which is essential for maintaining a harmonious classroom environment.

This series of lessons helps 3rd-grade students understand the differences between a disagreement, a rude moment, a mean moment, and bullying behavior. By using trauma-informed teaching and restorative practices, students will learn to identify and respond appropriately to various social interactions. This lesson series is important as it fosters empathy, self-awareness, and conflict resolution skills, which are crucial for their social-emotional development.

This lesson series focuses on bullying prevention for 4th-grade students, spread over four sessions. Each lesson will explore different aspects of bullying prevention, including understanding bullying, building self-confidence, seeking help, and creating supportive friendships. The series includes video content, discussions, and mindfulness exercises to promote a calm and focused learning environment. This approach empowers students with practical tools to handle bullying situations, fostering a safe and supportive classroom community.

In this lesson, students will explore the difference between intent and impact. Through discussion and activities, students will learn how their actions and words can affect others, regardless of their intentions. This lesson is crucial for developing empathy and promoting a positive classroom environment.

In this lesson, students will learn to identify and express their feelings. This is crucial for emotional intelligence and personal well-being. The lesson includes a mindfulness moment to help students center themselves.

This follow-up lesson will introduce students to the concept of cognitive reframing and how it can help them manage their emotions better. The lesson includes mindfulness exercises, practice scenarios, and group activities to reinforce learning. This session aims to enhance emotional intelligence and provide students with practical tools for emotional regulation.

This series of lessons will help students identify and understand different emotions, explore how to express them, and develop strategies for managing them. Each lesson builds on the previous one, helping students gain emotional awareness and social-emotional skills, essential for personal and interpersonal growth.

This four-lesson series aims to help 3rd graders explore, identify, express, and reflect on their emotions. Through interactive activities, videos, and discussions, students will develop a deeper understanding of their feelings, enhancing their emotional intelligence and fostering a supportive classroom environment.