Wednesday, November 2, 2016

MindUP





The MindUP Curriculum is a comprehensive set of lessons and strategies designed to increase the learning potential of students by helping then focus their attention and improve their ability to self-regulate. Additionally the curriculum aims to help students build resilience to stress and develop a positive mindset, not only in school but in life in general. This evidence based curriculum incorporates social emotional learning into every aspect of the learning environment. The curriculum is available for K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grades. It proves that social emotional learning is not separate from traditional subjects. The curriculum teaches educators and social workers how to incorporate simple lessons into daily lesson plans that have long lasting impact on students.
MindUP aligns with the School Social Work Model in that it is an evidence based program that addresses education and behavior. The skills taught to students help promote a school climate and culture that is conducive to learning.
MindUP curriculum can be found at http://www.thehawnfoundation.org/ and http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/mindup/

Free Sample Lessons:
 http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/mindup/pdfs/Mindup_Prek-2_lesson.pdf
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/mindup/pdfs/Mindup_3-5_lessons.pdf
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/mindup/pdfs/Mindup_6-8_lesson.pdf


                         
Self Esteem Quiz/Video/Seventeen Mag/Face Your Feelings Activity

Design:
I designed this as a 4-in-1 activity to be done in one session. This activity can be utilized in a school setting; however I feel it can be utilized in any setting if modified. It is best used with small groups of 4-6 students. This activity can be used as a secondary build upon activity from the Popsicle Surprise activity I presented last week. It can be tailored for any child/adolescent/teen ages 5 – 19. This activity can be custom designed for any group you are having surrounding different topics. You can have Face Your Feelings about Anxiety, Depression, Social Skills, Healthy Dating, LGBTQIAAP. The word cut outs for the mirror activity can be tailored around your specific topic; you can find a video clip about your topic, and short survey question quiz regarding your topic (or create a survey quiz).

School Social Work Model:
This item of interest meets the School Social Work model under the practice feature of “Promoting a school climate conducive to student learning and teaching excellence.” This is done by school social workers promoting a psycho-social environment that fosters academic engagement and achievement. This practice is implemented by the school social worker building supportive relationships within and between students and facilitating engagement between students such as small groups. (sswaa.org)

Objective:
The objective of this group 4-in-1 activity is to increase open discussion about specific areas and challenges students are having in relation to self-esteem, self worth, self-confidence etc. The goals for this 4-in-1 activity is for the students to increase self-awareness and understanding of their own challenges surrounding the topic of self-esteem and continue to facilitate open dialogue; while also continuing to build the students trust, knowledge, support, and from their peers.  

Process Method:
I haven’t decided yet which order is best to perform this activity. If watching the video clip first, then quiz, then mirror activity is best and would result in the most open and honest dialogue or switching it around. I will be putting this 4-in-1 activity to the test next semester at my placement starting a new girls group. (This is where I need your feedback)

Self-Esteem Quiz:
The quiz is kept confidential during the activity. I explain to them that I will collect them and keep them. No names needed on the papers unless they feel comfortable putting their names on them. Give them 1 minute and 30 seconds to do the quiz.

Video clip link:
The video clip is 1 minute long.

Seventeen Magazine Comparison:
Compare the two covers from 2011 to 2016. (You can go on their website and get old covers.

Face Your Feelings Mirror Activity:
Purchased mirrors from the Dollar Tree, and Velcro self-adhesive circles from Joanne Fabrics. Used Seventeen magazines to cut out various thoughts, feelings, ideas, catchphrases all surrounding self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. In total I have about 40 different positive, negative, and neutral types feelings. Dump them on the table (preferably prior to the students coming in but cover them up) Give the students 30 seconds to pick the first 4 feelings that they can relate to at this exact moment (not yesterday, not two hours ago, not how you want to feel in the future) how they feel about themselves right now. I learned that giving them too much time to pick feelings also gives them too much time to think about what others are picking and second-guessing their feelings etc.

The remainder of the group will be used to have open dialogue about the students thoughts, feelings, reaction to the video clip, the quiz, the feelings they faced on their mirrors, and the two Seventeen magazine covers.

          

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Brag Tags

Brag Tags





Brag tags are a positive behavior intervention that my supervising social worker has implemented within the social work setting.  Students can earn brag tags through exhibiting positive behaviors in the social work setting or observed by the social worker.  There is a very wide range of brag tags available, including characteristics, accomplishments, and notable life experiences.  They allow students to “brag” about things they do well, experiences they’ve had, or their wonderful qualities. 
            At the first social work session of the year, each student creates a small goal sheet as shown in the picture.  They are guided by the social worker to decide on one goal that they want to work on at school this year.  They also list two things they will do to meet their goal.  On the first day, everyone receives a brag tag that says “First Day of Social Work” to add to their keychain on the Brag Tag Board.  As they go through the year, they can earn brag tags for many different situations.  If we see a student needing some extra motivation to follow expectations, we can use brag tags as an incentive.  We also use brag tags during social work session as part of our routine and enforcement of positive behaviors. 
            At the end of the year, students can take their keychain full of brag tags that they have earned throughout the year and have a tangible representation of their accomplishments!  Students love being able to choose their favorite brag tags and work towards earning them.  There are pages and pages of brag tag templates available for downloading on teacherspayteachers.com.            

Strong Kids: Strong Start Curriculum

Item of Interest 2:
 Strong Kids: Strong Start Curriculum

            Strong Kids Curriculum is an evidence-based practice that works with students from K-12. Each book in the curriculum focuses on the needs of the grade level of the student. The curriculum is designed to incorporate Social and Emotional Learning Standards. More specifically is the Strong Start Curriculum.  This curriculum works with students aged 3-5 and another is designed for K-2. This set of curriculum works with teaching students about feelings and how to recognize their feelings in their own bodies. During each lesson, students read a book based off of the feeling that they are working with. The students then talk about the feeling of the lesson. Students’ focus on what that feeling feels like in their bodies. Students also work with coming up with different names for that feeling along with how to tell if others are feeling that feeling. This item of interest meets the Social Work Model under the practice feature of “Provide[s] evidence-based education, behavior, and mental health services”. This is done by implementing the curriculum, monitoring the progress of the lessons and evaluating if the student is making progress with the lessons.

Example:
For example, students can identify happy. Read the book I Like Me! with the students.
Another word for happy is excited. When happy, you can feel like you “are glowing”. Students can identify that other students are happy because they can see a smile on the student and lots of energy. Students can pair up and show each other what they look like when they are happy.

 
Sources:
Merrell, K. W. (2007). Strong start: A social & emotional learning curriculum. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub.


http://strongkids.uoregon.edu/strongstart.html