Kikori March Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Calendar
March is a time for transformation, and this month, students will embark on a journey of resilience and personal growth.
By cultivating a growth mindset and learning to embrace challenges, they will shift from feeling stuck to feeling excited and eager about learning. Through mindfulness and intentional activities, students will discover their strengths, tackle their obstacles, and build confidence in their ability to succeed.
Elementary (K-5) Beginner SEL Calendar
Advisory (Middle School) Beginner SEL Calendar
Daily Morning Meeting and Advisory Activities to Transform Your Classroom
The Kikori SEL Calendar makes it easy to weave social-emotional learning into your day, every day. Each calendar is packed with experiential, research-backed activities to support your students’ growth.
Here’s what you’ll get with Kikori’s eSEL Calendar:
Morning Message or Advisory Announcement: Start the day with inspiration and focus.
Sharing or Acknowledging Activity: Foster connections and celebrate each other’s achievements.
Greeting Activity: Practice essential social skills through engaging group interactions.
Interactive National Day Activity: Have fun while learning through activities like “Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day” or “World Kindness Day.”
BONUS: Every activity aligns with CASEL's Social Emotional Learning standards, ensuring that your students build skills for the classroom—and life.
What click-and-play resources bring the Kikori SEL Calendar to life?
Ready to get started?
March SEL Calendar + FREE Morning Meetings
Ready to bring kindness and connection to your classroom?
Choose Kikori for Transformative SEL
Kikori isn’t just a resource—it’s your partner in creating a culture of kindness and connection in your classroom.
Here’s why educators love Kikori:
Daily SEL Activities: Access Morning Meeting slides, National Day activities, and more—all research-backed and easy to use.
Aligned to Standards: Every activity supports CASEL SEL Standards, 21st Century Skills, and Sustainable Development Goals.
Flexible for All Ages: With calendars for Elementary, Middle, and High School, Kikori meets students where they are.
Bringing the World into Your Classroom
Every day is an opportunity for discovery with Kikori’s National Day activities! These engaging themes invite students to learn about the world around them, weaving history, STEM, nature, and storytelling into daily classroom experiences. Whether it’s celebrating "Optimist Day," exploring the science behind "Darwin Day," or reflecting on personal experiences during "International Mother Language Day," each activity fosters authentic connections—with each other and the wider world.
By bringing these moments into the classroom, students not only develop their social-emotional skills but also build meaningful relationships and a greater understanding of the world. This blend of connection and learning aligns with the ultimate goal of SEL: to help students grow into empathetic, curious, and confident individuals ready to thrive in their communities.
Focus Areas
To support students in their personal and academic growth, we’ll concentrate on four key areas:
Resilience – Developing the ability to recover from setbacks and persist through challenges.
Growth Mindset – Encouraging students to see challenges as opportunities for learning rather than obstacles.
Embracing Challenges – Teaching students to approach difficulties with curiosity and determination.
Positive Attitude Towards Learning – Cultivating enthusiasm for new experiences and a willingness to try, fail, and grow.
Engaging Activities to Build Resilience and a Growth Mindset
Throughout March, students will participate in activities designed to strengthen their resilience and mindset:
🧘 Mindfulness Exercises
Mindfulness techniques will help students manage stress, focus on the present, and reframe challenges in a positive light. By practicing breathing exercises, guided visualization, and reflection, they’ll develop the skills needed to stay calm and focused in difficult moments.
🗺️ Challenge Mapping
Students will identify personal challenges, analyze their obstacles, and create actionable plans to overcome them. This exercise will teach problem-solving and goal-setting strategies, reinforcing the idea that difficulties are stepping stones to success.
💪 Resilience-Building Activities
Through interactive challenges, group discussions, and real-world problem-solving, students will practice perseverance. Whether through teamwork or individual reflection, they’ll learn that setbacks are temporary and growth comes from persistence.
💬 Affirmation Boards
By creating affirmation boards, students will surround themselves with positive messages that reinforce self-belief. Encouraging words and motivational statements will serve as daily reminders that they are capable, strong, and ready to take on new challenges.
The Transformation: From “I Can’t” to “I Can’t Wait!”
By the end of March, students will have developed a stronger growth mindset and a deeper sense of resilience. Through challenge mapping, resilience-building activities, sharing success stories, and embracing affirmations, they will shift their thinking from “I can’t” to “I can’t wait!”. More importantly, they will recognize their potential, build confidence, and embrace learning with enthusiasm.
This month isn’t just about tackling schoolwork—it’s about preparing students for lifelong success by empowering them to face challenges with confidence and a positive outlook. Let’s help them turn obstacles into opportunities and setbacks into stepping stones!
🚀 Here’s to a month of growth, resilience, and unstoppable learning!
Explore the March SEL Calendar
Morning Meetings marked with a ⭐ are available for free!
March Week 1
Week 1 SEL Learning Intention: Self-Awareness | Recognizing Strengths
Mon, Mar 3: National Anthem Day | A New Anthem
Tues, Mar 4: National Sportsmanship Day | Winkum or Blinkum
Wed, Mar 5: ⭐ Learn What Your Name Means Day | What's in a name? ⭐
Fri, Mar 7: National Day of Unplugging | Appreciation Bouquet
March Week 2
Week 2 SEL Learning Intention: Self-Management | Stress Management
Monday, Mar 10: National Napping Day | Bouncing to Soothe
⭐ Tuesday, Mar 11: National Dream Day | Pride and Dream
Wednesday, Mar 12: National Plant a Flower Day | What Would You Plant?
Thursday, Mar 13:Good Samaritan Day | Help Tag
Friday, Mar 14: Pi Day | Easy as Pi
March Week 3
Week 3 SEL Learning Intention: Social Awareness | Respect for Others
Monday, Mar 17: Act Happy Day | Emotions Motions
⭐ Tuesday, Mar 18: World Social Worker Day | Flower of Appreciation
Wednesday, Mar 19: National Let's Laugh Day | Meeting Eyes
Thursday, Mar 20: World Storytelling Day | Circle Story
Friday,Mar 21: World Down Syndrome Day | Differences and Commonalities
February Week 4
Week 4 SEL Learning Intention: Building Relationships | Teamwork
⭐ Monday, Mar 24: International Day for Achievers | 20 Count
Tuesday, Mar 25: National Omazing You Day | Celebrate You! Step In
Wednesday, Mar 26: Solitude Day | Simply Ground: Sound Symphony
Thursday, Mar 27: World Theatre Day | Feeling Cards: Charades
Friday, Mar 28: National Something On a Stick Day | Sticks, Stones and Bones
Want More?
Go Pro or School-Wide
Kikori Pro Membership: For the price of one Teacher’s Pay Teachers printable, gain access to a full month of curated activities, printable resources, and downloadable slides!
Kikori School-Wide Solution: Bring Kikori to your entire school! With Tier 1 Morning Meeting curriculum, trauma-informed training, and a library of Tier 2-3 SEL playlists, it’s the perfect solution for a comprehensive approach to SEL.
The Brain Science Behind Resilience and a Growth Mindset
When students struggle with difficult tasks, it’s easy for them to feel frustrated or discouraged. But here’s the good news: the brain is built for growth. Every challenge, every mistake, and every moment of effort strengthens neural connections, making learning easier over time.
Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Superpower
Our brains are constantly changing and adapting. This ability, called neuroplasticity, means that the more we practice a skill or push through a challenge, the stronger and more efficient our brain becomes. Imagine the brain as a network of highways—each time we learn something new, we build a new road. The more we use that road, the smoother and faster it becomes.
🧠 Key takeaway: Struggling doesn’t mean failure—it means your brain is getting stronger!
The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex: The Brain’s CEO
The prefrontal cortex, located at the front of the brain, is responsible for problem-solving, decision-making, and emotional regulation. When students practice resilience, they activate this part of the brain, strengthening their ability to manage frustration and push forward through challenges.
💡 Fun fact: Every time a student says, “I can’t do this yet,” they’re training their prefrontal cortex to keep going instead of giving up!
The Power of Dopamine: The Brain’s Motivation Booster
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in motivation and reward. When students overcome a challenge, their brain releases dopamine, reinforcing the feeling of accomplishment. This is why celebrating small wins is so important—it keeps students motivated to take on even bigger challenges.
🚀 Tip: Encouraging students to set small, achievable goals helps their brain associate effort with success, making them more likely to persist in difficult tasks.
Stress and the Amygdala: Overcoming the Fear of Failure
The amygdala is the brain’s emotional center, responsible for processing fear and stress. When students feel anxious about making mistakes, the amygdala can trigger a “fight-or-flight” response, making it harder for them to think clearly. However, practicing mindfulness, reframing negative thoughts, and focusing on effort rather than perfection can help regulate this response.
🧘 Mindfulness strategies like deep breathing and positive affirmations help calm the amygdala, allowing students to stay focused and confident.
Putting It All Together: How to Train the Brain for Resilience and Growth
By understanding how their brains work, students can develop strategies to strengthen their resilience and growth mindset:
✅ Embrace challenges – Each challenge strengthens neural connections and builds intelligence.✅ Use positive self-talk – Encouraging words activate the prefrontal cortex and boost motivation.✅ Celebrate progress – Small wins release dopamine, reinforcing effort and persistence.✅ Practice mindfulness – Deep breathing and reflection help regulate stress and keep the brain in learning mode.
By applying these brain-based strategies, students can shift from saying “I can’t” to “I’m growing!” and develop the resilience they need to thrive.
🔬 Bottom line: When students understand that their brains are designed for growth, they gain the confidence to tackle challenges head-on. The more they practice, the stronger and smarter they become! 🚀
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