GoNoodle 

My first item of interest is one that is used at the school I work at. Gages Lake school is a therapeutic school for kids who may struggle in a standard academic setting and who may have fallen behind due to emotional, behavioral or other psychological challenges. Gonoodle is a tool that is used to provide desk-side movements that allow kids to achieve more by keeping them engaged and motivated throughout the day. It provides many different opportunities for short or long movement breaks to get kids up and moving. There are different categories to choose from depending on what you want to focus on. This tool is normally used with children that are 5-12 years old. This website is great because it is free because it can be used anywhere by educators, family and kids can use it. 

https://www.gonoodle.com/

GoNoodle is connected to evidence-based practice for many reasons. It boosts productivity, improves behavior and builds community. Students who move and practice mindfulness with this program tend to be more focused, engaged and ready to learn. It improves behavior because it gives kids the opportunity for kids to move and learn different mindfulness skills to manage their emotions. Study shows that students who use GoNoodle are involved in fewer behavioral incidents. GoNoodle also builds fun into classrooms by boosting students' confidence and providing the opportunity for peer to peer connections. Gonoodle could be connected to the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model because it incorporates meditation, mindfulness, and relaxation. Through these techniques, CBT teaches children to take control of their own emotions. 

Social Stories

https://carolgraysocialstories.com/social-stories/what-is-it/

My item of interest is Social Stories. My supervisor asked me to start writing some stories for one of the student's on the case load with autism. The goal for this particular student was helping him to understand how to work with others. However, social stories can literally be used for anything social skills related. It is a great tool when you need to appropriately introduce students to concepts they are unfamiliar with. I think it is very beneficial for the elementary/ middle school age, but of course can be used for high school age students as well.  The website does give several examples of social stories, which I found helpful when writing my own. The topics the website has examples on are, safety, tragedies, discovery of self and others, and advanced concepts like stereotypes.

Impulse Control

Impulse Control

Activities & Worksheets for Elementary Students

This is a great resource for kids that have ADHD or difficulties controlling their impulsive behaviors. You can get it on amazon for $35. It is titled Impulse Control: Activities and Worksheets for Elementary School Students by Tonia Caselman. This book is something I recently came across when searching through my supervisors books for something work on with a student that has ADHD. The worksheets and activities can be used for either individuals or groups. A lot of kids with ADHD have challenges with their impulsive behaviors (acting before thinking). This book has a lesson plan to teach kids how to think before acting which is super helpful for kids with these challenges. The chapters can all be easily copied and printed for use. I haven't used it yet but I am planning on using a worksheet titled "Stop and Think" for the student I am working with that has ADHD. It gives an example of a situation where the student didn't stop and think and the problem that came about when that happened. Then, it gives a blank sheet for the student to fill out a time when they didn't stop and think. It is evidence based that students with ADHD have difficulties controlling their impulsivity, so teaching a child how to help their impulsivity will help them to be more aware and allow them to learn to prevent these types of behaviors.

Second Step

The item of interest that I chose is Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program. Programs are available for grades as young as pre-kindergarten through 8^th grade with each program being tailored for the grade that it is being used for. Second Step also provides anti-bullying and child protection programs as well. The program I specifically focused on was the Second Step SEL for elementary students. I chose this program because it is evidence based and it is endorsed by the Department of Education as being proven to decrease behavior problems in students. This program would fall under the home-school-community linkages in the school social work model.

            Each grade gets their own customized boxes. All the boxes contain lessons that explain the concepts, objectives, and preparation needed. The lessons clearly lay out what is intended to be done during each session. This can include watching a short video, listening to a story, or playing a game. Second Step SEL is intended to have one lesson be worked on for five days. The first day the initial lesson is taught, such as empathy, listening with attention, and being assertive. The following four days are intended to practice what was taught in the initial day or what Second Step calls “follow through.” The programs also consist of materials to be sent home with the students. The parents are provided with activities and information on the lesson that is being taught that week, so that they can reinforce and work on those lessons at home as well. The programs also come with resource DVDs and online materials, including Spanish translations, for the teachers to use to supplement the lessons.

www.secondstep.org