SEL Student Journal Starter Kit for Grades 3-5

Back to school SEL activities for grade 3, grade 4 and grade 5. This printable SEL student journal kit includes mood trackers, goal setting pages, weekly check-ins, and reflection worksheets - perfect for the first week of school or to build yearlong SEL routines.

Help your students build ownership, reflection skills, and emotional awareness with this SEL Journal Starter Kit for Grades 3–5. This flexible, low-prep resource gives you everything you need to start (or strengthen) social-emotional journaling in your classroom.

Whether you use it daily, weekly, or monthly, this kit helps students track their moods, set personal goals, reflect on their progress, and take pride in their own growth—all in one space they can truly make their own.

What's Included

All resources come in US Letter and A4 formats, with both full-page and student journal cutout versions for easy printing and notebook use.

• 12 SEL Journal Covers
  • Black-and-white printable designs students can color or decorate
  • Perfect for notebooks, folders, or binders
    
• This Is Me Pages (2 Versions)
  • Fun identity prompts to launch the SEL journal and get to know your students
    
• My Weekly Check-In
  • Includes a 5-point emoji mood scale, goal reflection, perseverance check, and friendship check-in
  • Simple, repeatable format for weekly use
    
• Monthly Mood Trackers (12 Versions)
  • Circular tracker with a different animal illustration each month
  • Doubles as a coloring activity
  • Includes a matching Monthly Mood Reflection Page
    
• My Monthly Goal Plan
  • Helps students set personal goals, plan steps, identify support, and reflect on progress
  • Includes a growth mindset prompt and space to anticipate challenges

Key Features

• Full-page AND 2-per-page journal cutouts
• Fits into notebooks, folders, or binders
• Available in US Letter + A4—no resizing needed
• Reusable, structured, and easy to implement
• Student-centered design built for Grades 3–5

How to Use

This is a flexible, printable toolkit designed to help you set up student SEL notebooks at the start of the year and keep them going all year long.

You can:

• Print full-page versions to store in folders or binders
• Use the journal cutout versions in any spiral or composition notebook
• Build your SEL routine with weekly check-ins and monthly trackers
• Add new pages over time as classroom needs and SEL topics evolve
• Use reflection pages after SEL lessons, class discussions, or real-life moments
• Keep journals private or use them for 1:1 talks and goal setting
  

Whether you create a full journal from Day 1 or build it gradually, this kit gives you the structure to support student reflection, goal setting, and emotional growth.

Why Teachers Love It

• Easy to launch – no prep required
• Helps students reflect, build self-awareness, and take ownership
• Supports growth mindset and real-world goal setting
• Builds a consistent, authentic SEL routine all year long