Adding an Academic Focus to SEL in High School

When high school students say something like “I can’t focus” or “This class stresses me out,” they aren’t just making casual remarks—they’re signaling that they need more emotional support. While social and emotional learning (SEL) lays the groundwork for student well-being, I’ve long championed a slightly more comprehensive approach: social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD). Though the difference in acronyms may appear subtle, SEAD goes a step further in providing for intentional strategies that can transform high school classrooms into spaces of trust and growth, rather than distractions and anxiety. SEAD prepares students to succeed not just in school, but in life, directly connecting emotional growth with academic achievement.

Educators don’t need to overhaul their entire teaching styles or add extra steps to their days in order to incorporate SEAD. It’s perfectly fine to begin with one activity and see how it resonates with students.

Here are some of the SEAD-related methods I’ve found most effective—and how you can work them into your own high school classroom.

Emotional Mapping with Colors

Emotional mapping with colors is a simple and powerful tool for students to express their feelings. Green might signal calm, yellow might reflect excitement, and red might indicate stress. The beauty of emotional mapping is that it’s flexible and inviting: Students can also choose their own meanings for colors, making the process deeply personal.

Emotional mapping can be done quickly—in only about five minutes—on paper or digitally, using tools like Google Slides and Forms. It can be integrated into any subject, from math to art. It can also be done remotely, with groups of students, or one-on-one, making it a versatile tool for all learning environments.

The real power of emotional mapping lies in how it encourages students to connect their emotions to their actions—what’s in their circle of control. It’s not just about identifying feelings; it’s also about understanding how those feelings influence behaviors.

Whether it’s through colors or conversations, when students feel safe and empowered to express themselves, they benefit from greater self-awareness, stronger emotional intelligence, and a more resilient approach to learning and life. In my classroom, emotional mapping has been a game-changer. One of my quieter students was able to share emotions that she otherwise wasn’t comfortable describing out loud. Over time, emotional mapping became a springboard for deeper discussions and greater participation. A colleague told me they never knew how much their students were holding in until this tool was introduced.

Implementation: Start by deciding whether you want to predefine the color associations or leave them open-ended for students to interpret on their own. You might begin with colors like green for calm, yellow for excitement, and red for stress, providing students with a common emotional language. Or, you can encourage students to assign their own meaning to each color.

When using digital tools, consider creating a shared slide deck where students can add their colors and reflections in real time. To add a musical dimension, play songs like ”Colors,” by Stella Jang, in the background. Students can see each other’s submissions on the shared slide deck, which creates opportunities for connection and fosters a sense of community. If a more private approach is needed, the teacher can adjust settings so that only they are able to view submissions.

Mindfulness Exercises

Mindfulness might sound like a buzzword, but it’s actually a powerful tool for enhancing focus and calm in the classroom. Short activities like breathing exercises, guided visualizations, or even a minute of stillness can help high school students regulate emotions and feel more grounded.

In my high school classroom, mindfulness breaks are a lifesaver, especially during transitions: before tests, after a noisy lunch period, or at the start of a new unit. These moments of calm not only help students refocus but also create a sense of safety and trust. After a mindfulness session, one particularly anxious student told me, “That’s exactly what I needed today.” His focus during the next lesson noticeably improved.

Implementation: Apps like How We Feel and online resources like EdTomorrow are fantastic guided exercises when you want to include a digital component. But when it comes to mindfulness, you don’t need any fancy tools. A simple “Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and reset” can work wonders in less than a minute. Sometimes, I play a song to help students recenter themselves. These are some of my favorites:

• “Lovely Day,” by Bill Withers
• “Happy Place,” by Oh, Hush!
• “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” by Bobby McFerrin

I also will play instrumental albums like Pat Metheny Group’s Full Circle, Chuck Mangione’s Land of Make Believe, or any of Enya’s calming melodies. These small moments help shift energy, allowing students to take on challenges with a clearer, more focused mindset.

Tech-Enhanced Reflection Tools

Ever feel like your students are going through the motions? Tech tools can help. Here are a few options.

Google Forms: These are more than just a survey—they provide opportunities for students to pause, assess, and track their emotions (also known as PAT). The PAT method is another avenue for students to take control of their emotional and academic growth. After group projects, for instance, students can reflect on their collaboration, rate their teamwork, and share what they learned about themselves via Google Forms. Then, they can expand on their thoughts in Google Docs, setting future goals and tracking their growth. This combination of quick check-ins and deeper reflection helps students understand how their emotions influence their academics. Teachers can have students discuss their reflections in a one-on-one setting or as a group.

Canva: For students who thrive on creativity, Canva turns reflection into a dynamic visual experience. Instead of writing about their feelings, students create mood boards, slide shows, or infographics. This lets students express themselves in natural and engaging ways. Canva is a solid supplement to emotional mapping. Creations can remain private to the student or be shared in group activities that are guided by the teacher.

Blooket: Typically used for trivia and review games, Blooket is an interactive tool that can also gamify reflection. Students answer questions about their emotional experiences, or teamwork, while playing a game. It’s a low-prep, fun way to keep students involved. Reflections during gameplay are shared within a group of students.

Canvas: For a more structured space, try out Canvas, where students can also submit their reflections, receive feedback, and track their progress over time. Canvas is perfect for students who thrive on organization and want to meaningfully explore their emotions. As with Google Forms, submissions can either remain private between the student and teacher or be shared with peers.