About Second Step
Elementary Second Step
The Second Step® Elementary digital program includes four full units of weekly, age-appropriate lessons for each grade. Units include: Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting, Emotion Management, Empathy & Kindness, and Problem-Solving.
Kinder Sample
In this lesson, students will learn about apologizing as a way of showing kindness and as a tool for problem-solving in a variety of scenarios.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
1st Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn which clues tell them when others might be frustrated, and a new way to feel calm when they’re feeling frustrated themselves.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
2nd Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will start learning to be better problem-solvers by managing strong feelings and stating problems without blame.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Handout (PDF)
3rd Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn about asking questions to find out how someone else is feeling and to understand what their friends might want or need.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Handout (PDF)
4th Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn how to consider another person’s point of view and to say what they want or need in a respectful way.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Lesson Handout A (PDF)
Lesson Handout B (PDF)
5th Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn how to identify when and where to work on solving a problem, and who should be included.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Middle School Second Step
Second Step Middle School is a research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Studies show that these skills can help improve academic performance, reduce negative social behaviors like bullying, and create positive classroom and school climates.
6th Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn ways to communicate during a conflict to keep it from escalating through reflecting on their own experiences, defining respectful communication, and practicing using language that will help resolve conflicts.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Student Handout (PDF)
7th Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn how to use positive self-talk to reframe unhelpful thoughts, including discussing why it isn’t always easy to see the positives and practicing noticing the positive things in their everyday lives.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Student Handout (PDF)
8th Grade Sample
In this lesson, students will learn how the physical layout of and rules within a space can make bullying and harassment more likely to happen, from identifying environmental factors to discussing rules and regulations within their own school community.
Lesson Plan (PDF)
Student Handout (PDF)