How Teachers Use “Who’s Most Likely To” for Social-Emotional Learning

If you’ve been in a classroom for more than five minutes, you know: Kids aren’t just learning fractions or grammar rules. They’re learning how to be a good friend, how to handle frustration, and how to figure out who they are. 🍎💬

That’s the heart of social-emotional learning (SEL). And often, the most effective tools don’t look like “programs” at all. They look like play.

So why Who’s most likely to?
It’s simple, flexible, and quietly builds SEL while kids think they’re just having fun.

🎯 Why Teachers Keep Coming Back to It

It works because it’s:

• Low-pressure. Quick votes, no essays required.
• Inclusive. You don’t have to be loud or “the best” to be seen.
• Empathy-building. Students notice strengths in each other.
• Community-strengthening. Ten minutes can reset the room.

Quick start (2 minutes):

1. Set a ground rule: positive, strengths-based only; opt-out is always okay.
2. Share 3–5 prompts.
3. Close with one reflective question (see “Wrap-Up Matters”).

🏫 When It Fits Best

Teachers slip this game in during moments when connection matters most:

• First week of school → low-stakes icebreaker.
• Brain breaks → quick reset after testing or long blocks.
• Morning meeting / advisory → SEL boost without feeling forced.
• End of a term → reflective, positive closure.
• After conflict → redirect energy and re-center the group.

It’s a fast way to shift the mood from scattered or tense to connected and engaged.

💡 Tips for Keeping It Smooth

• Stay strengths-based. Use positive, safe prompts—skip anything that could embarrass kids.
• Give every student a Pass Card. Opt-out = respected, no questions.
• Try anonymous voting. Sticky notes, tokens, mini whiteboards, or a quick digital form for shy groups.
• Invite student ownership. Let them submit prompts to a “safe list.”
• Always end on an uplifter. e.g., “Most likely to make the world better.”
• Use “consent to name.” If a prompt names a student, ask, “Is it okay to celebrate you for this?”
• Differentiate by age:
  • K–2: Fewer choices, visuals, act-it-out voting.
  • 3–5: Add brief “because…” sentence stems.
  • MS/HS: Layer in quick peer shout-outs: “I’ve seen you do this when…”.

Facilitation language you can borrow:

• “Keep it kind, keep it true, keep it brief.”
• “Spot the strength, not the flaw.”
• “Pass is a choice—no explanations needed.”

📋 50+ Ready-to-Use Classroom Prompts

Here are themed packs you can print, project, or adapt on the fly.

🌟 Kindness & Empathy

• Who’s most likely to help a classmate who’s struggling?
• Who’s most likely to share supplies without being asked?
• Who’s most likely to cheer someone up on a rough day?
• Who’s most likely to invite someone to join their group?
• Who’s most likely to notice when someone feels left out?
• Who’s most likely to stand up for a friend?
• Who’s most likely to compliment someone’s work?
• Who’s most likely to check in when someone is quiet?

🧠 Growth & Resilience

• Who’s most likely to keep trying even when it’s hard?
• Who’s most likely to ask questions to understand better?
• Who’s most likely to bounce back from a mistake?
• Who’s most likely to try something new in class?
• Who’s most likely to be okay with not being perfect?
• Who’s most likely to improve a little each week?
• Who’s most likely to see challenges as opportunities?

👥 Teamwork & Leadership

• Who’s most likely to make group work fun?
• Who’s most likely to help organize the team’s ideas?
• Who’s most likely to listen to everyone’s opinion?
• Who’s most likely to encourage shy classmates to share?
• Who’s most likely to take the lead when needed?
• Who’s most likely to bring peace in a disagreement?
• Who’s most likely to give credit to others?

🎉 Joy & Positivity

• Who’s most likely to make everyone laugh at the right time?
• Who’s most likely to bring good energy to class?
• Who’s most likely to start a chant or cheer?
• Who’s most likely to dance or sing when the mood needs lifting?
• Who’s most likely to make Mondays less boring?
• Who’s most likely to make a tough subject fun?

🌍 Responsibility & Character

• Who’s most likely to remember to recycle?
• Who’s most likely to return something they borrowed?
• Who’s most likely to follow through on promises?
• Who’s most likely to remind the group of rules kindly?
• Who’s most likely to be trusted with an important job?
• Who’s most likely to set a good example for others?

📝 Reflection & Future

• Who’s most likely to be a teacher one day?
• Who’s most likely to write a book?
• Who’s most likely to create something that changes lives?
• Who’s most likely to give a memorable graduation speech?
• Who’s most likely to invent something helpful?
• Who’s most likely to lead their community someday?

🎒 Fun & Relatable (Classroom Edition)

• Who’s most likely to forget homework but make everyone laugh about it?
• Who’s most likely to have the neatest notes?
• Who’s most likely to doodle in the margins?
• Who’s most likely to always bring snacks?
• Who’s most likely to ask the funniest questions?
• Who’s most likely to lose their pencil twice in one day?
• Who’s most likely to raise their hand first?
• Who’s most likely to share their lunch?
• Who’s most likely to remember everyone’s birthday?
• Who’s most likely to be class president one day?

✨ Wrap-Up Matters

After a few rounds, pause for a quick reflection:

• “What did you notice about our class today?”
• “How did it feel to be voted for something positive?”
• “What’s one thing we can all practice this week?”

That tiny step connects the game back to SEL and makes it more than just fun—it makes it meaningful.

🏁 Final Thought

Bringing Who’s Most Likely To into the classroom isn’t filler. It’s connection, confidence, and kindness—one lighthearted prompt at a time.

And honestly? Those five minutes of laughter and recognition might be what your students remember most when they look back on the year.

📚 Who’s Most Likely To – SEL Classroom Edition

A ready-to-print deck of 50+ positive, classroom-safe prompts that teachers can cut out and use for quick SEL activities.

🌟 Kindness & Empathy

• Who’s most likely to help a classmate who’s struggling?
• Who’s most likely to share supplies without being asked?
• Who’s most likely to cheer someone up on a tough day?
• Who’s most likely to invite someone to join their group?
• Who’s most likely to notice when someone feels left out?
• Who’s most likely to stand up for a friend?
• Who’s most likely to compliment someone’s work?
• Who’s most likely to check in when someone is quiet?

🧠 Growth & Resilience

• Who’s most likely to keep trying even when it’s hard?
• Who’s most likely to ask questions to understand better?
• Who’s most likely to bounce back from a mistake?
• Who’s most likely to try something new in class?
• Who’s most likely to be okay with not being perfect?
• Who’s most likely to improve a little each week?
• Who’s most likely to see challenges as opportunities?

👥 Teamwork & Leadership

• Who’s most likely to make group work fun?
• Who’s most likely to help organize the team’s ideas?
• Who’s most likely to listen to everyone’s opinion?
• Who’s most likely to encourage shy classmates to share?
• Who’s most likely to take the lead when needed?
• Who’s most likely to bring peace when there’s a disagreement?
• Who’s most likely to give credit to others?

🎉 Joy & Positivity

• Who’s most likely to make everyone laugh at the right time?
• Who’s most likely to bring good energy to class?
• Who’s most likely to start a fun chant or cheer?
• Who’s most likely to dance or sing when the mood needs lifting?
• Who’s most likely to make Mondays less boring?
• Who’s most likely to make a boring subject fun?

🌍 Responsibility & Character

• Who’s most likely to remember to recycle?
• Who’s most likely to return something they borrowed?
• Who’s most likely to follow through on promises?
• Who’s most likely to remind the group of the rules kindly?
• Who’s most likely to be trusted with an important job?
• Who’s most likely to set a good example for others?

📝 Reflection & Future

• Who’s most likely to be a teacher someday?
• Who’s most likely to write a book?
• Who’s most likely to create something that changes lives?
• Who’s most likely to give a great graduation speech?
• Who’s most likely to invent something helpful?
• Who’s most likely to lead their community one day?

🎒 Fun & Relatable (Classroom Edition)

• Who’s most likely to forget homework but make everyone laugh about it?
• Who’s most likely to have the neatest notes?
• Who’s most likely to doodle in the margins?
• Who’s most likely to always bring snacks?
• Who’s most likely to ask the funniest questions?
• Who’s most likely to lose their pencil twice in one day?
• Who’s most likely to raise their hand first?
• Who’s most likely to share their lunch?
• Who’s most likely to remember everyone’s birthday?
• Who’s most likely to be class president one day?

✨ How to Use:

• Print and cut into cards.
• Keep a stack handy for morning meetings, brain breaks, or SEL lessons.
• Let students draw and read the prompts aloud.
• Always end with a positive or future-focused question.