Do you love board games? Us too! Even ones that aren’t about math!
We had an awesome opportunity to build out a board game but not about math… it’s about Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Our goal was to build a game not for the kiddos but for the adults to learn about SEL. The design of the game is original Maniac Mathies material but it is definitely an idea we are going to move over into the math space as well.
So what is the game about?
Sometimes traditional SEL brainstorming sessions can feel a bit dry or formulaic. That SEL Life breaks away from the monotony by elevating engagement and conversation among colleagues. Instead of just talking about challenges, roadblocks, and emotional regulation, players actively practice these skills in real-life scenarios that are relevant and relatable.
When it comes to building a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) program for your school or district, it’s easy to get bogged down by roadblocks. Whether you're struggling to find the right materials, engaging stakeholders in meaningful activities, or even balancing SEL with the pressure of academic performance, crafting a successful SEL program can feel like navigating a maze.
This dynamic, interactive tool is not just another game; it’s a game-changer in how we approach SEL. That SEL Life Game helps educators, and districts navigate the obstacles of SEL with ease, all while promoting mindfulness, collaboration, creativity, and reflection.
What’s Included?
We have the game board as a PDF. You can size it up to as big as 20x20 inches. We used Office Max to print and laminate our board.
Instructions and Instructional Video. We can all read instructions but isn’t it easier when there is a video to watch to help you set up the board and understand what you are supposed to do?
That SEL Life Token Lists as a PDF. These are the game pieces that each player gets to keep track of their SEL journey around the board.
That SEL Life card decks. These are in PowerPoint so that you can edit/add cards that are specific to your school.
Your purchase is for classroom use only. If you would like to purchase district level access then please reach out to us directly.
Other Items You Would Need
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Dice - you only need one die per board but we like these multi-color ones that come in a 50 pack. Plus, we are math teachers and use dice to teach other topics so why not?
Game Pieces - you can use whatever you would like for games pieces but we liked the traditional board game style pieces in all the colors.
Pieces for the token cards - we almost made our own pieces for this part of the game, however then we realized how time intensive that was going to be so we used these and they fit the cards perfectly.
Timer - if you have a one minute sand timer then you are all set. If you don’t then we recommend these.
So where’s the math?
We make materials that aren’t just math. :) Have you checked out our General Materials section of our website?
Are you ready to play That SEL Life? Head on over to TPT and make your purchase. Have questions or have ideas for a game of your own? Reach out and we’re happy to discuss.
-Anna & Megan
