ceciliafelsenstein As high school teachers, we understand how critical it is to equip our students with the tools to build positive relationships and communicate effectively, both in and outside of the classroom. Social-emotional learning (SEL) plays a key role in helping students develop the necessary skills to understand themselves, manage their emotions, and relate to others in a meaningful way.
One area of SEL that often gets overlooked is relationship-building. Friendships, teamwork, and conflict resolution are essential skills that students need to navigate their high school years and beyond. Let’s take a look at some key SEL Activities for High School Students activities that can make a real impact in your classroom:
Relationship Skills Activities
Friendships are at the heart of the high school experience, but not all friendships are equal. In this activity, students use a traffic light analogy to reflect on how healthy their friendships are.
Effective teamwork is a skill that’s essential in both school and life. But communication isn’t always about talking. In the Silent Teamwork Challenge, students work in teams to complete a task—without using words. This activity forces them to rely on non-verbal cues, body language, and collaboration to communicate effectively. It’s a great way for students to build trust, work together in creative ways, and understand that communication comes in many forms. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
Conflict is inevitable, especially in high school. What matters is how students handle it. This activity provides students with real-life conflict scenarios and challenges them to work through the issues by applying key conflict resolution strategies. They’ll practice skills like active listening, compromise, and empathy—tools that will help them resolve disagreements in a healthy and productive way. It’s a great way to model positive ways of dealing with conflict that can reduce tension and foster better relationships in the classroom (and outside of it!).
One of the most powerful aspects of social-emotional learning is helping students develop a sense of belonging. When students feel connected to their peers, they are more likely to succeed academically and socially. The Class Identity Project invites students to explore what makes their class unique. Through collaborative activities, they’ll define shared values, goals, and experiences that make them feel connected as a group. This project encourages students to reflect on the importance of community and belonging, and the positive impact it has on their relationships and overall well-being.
Why Relationship Skills Matter in High School
In high school, students are learning how to manage their emotions, make decisions, and develop healthy social connections. The activities described are designed to support these essential skills. When students can communicate effectively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and build supportive friendships, they are more likely to feel confident and connected, both academically and personally.
As educators, we know that social-emotional learning isn’t just a one-time lesson—it’s a continuous process that helps students grow and thrive. Relationship skills are just one part of SEL. To support students holistically, consider incorporating lessons on self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness into your curriculum. By integrating activities like the ones described into your curriculum, you’re not only helping students build better relationships with their peers but also preparing them for success in all areas of life.
How You Can Use These Activities in Your Classroom
The best part about these SEL activities is their flexibility. Whether you’re looking to build stronger relationships within your existing class, facilitate team-building exercises, or address conflict resolution, these activities can be tailored to fit your classroom’s needs. They’re ideal for group work, small discussions, or as part of a dedicated SEL lesson plan.
Creating a space where students feel safe and supported is crucial, and these activities are designed to foster that environment. By helping your students build connection skills, you’re giving them the tools they need to navigate the complexities of high school relationships and beyond.
Interested in the Full SEL Bundle?
If you’re looking for a comprehensive set of SEL activities for high school students that focus on relationship-building, you can explore the entire Building Connections bundle. It includes all the activities mentioned above to help your students develop key social-emotional skills. You can find the bundle here. Here’s a quick peek at the full bundle:
