Marvelous Summer SEL: A unique approach to summer learning

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

SBCSC

First Presenter’s Email Address

twilliams4@sbcsc.k12.in.us

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Taylor Williams is the Family and Community Engagement Coordinator and Mentor Coordinator for South Bend Schools (Indiana). After a four-year career as an overseas professional basketball player, Taylor returned home to pursue his passion for community development. His unique background in education paired with a strong connection to his community has allowed him to become a local expert at empowering students and families.

Second Presenter's Institution

SBCSC

Second Presenter’s Email Address

ssteward-bridges@sbcsc.k12.in.us

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Stephanie Bridges has 20 plus years of experience working in higher education, community health, and now K-12 Education. Her expertise includes a wide range of experiences; however, she is most passionate about integrating mental health and education. Her most current work includes changing school climate through meeting student mental health needs and coordinating MTSS that will support those needs. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Indiana State University.

Location

Session Six Breakouts (Scarbrough 4)

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

Our proposal relates to the Heart strand (social and emotional skills) by focusing on CASELs five social-emotional learning competencies and integrating the concepts of neuroscience as students progress through the curriculum.

We also integrate the Home strand (family and community engagement) by incorporating mandatory parent meetings that align with the mission of the camp. In addition, we are intentional about creating community partnerships that support both students and families during the course of the summer camp and throughout the school year.

Brief Program Description

Come learn how to engage your students in a four-week summer learning experience where they will learn how to identify, source, and manage their emotions, build social skills, and ultimately identify their individual superpowers! Welcome to the Marvelous Summer Camp experience!

Summary

Our presentation will provide information on how we were able to create and unique and impactful summer learning experience for our district’s most at-risk students. Our model consists of:

  • Social Emotional Learning curriculum integrated with neuroscience

  • Literacy

  • Mindfulness

  • Restorative Justice practices

  • Outdoor education

  • Real-world learning experiences

Using an evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum students have the opportunity to explore their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. The integration of practical neuro-science concepts through the curriculum offers an opportunity for students to understand how their ongoing brain development affects the decision-making process.

The information presented through classwork is reinforced during practical activities including creative and performing arts, mindfulness, outdoor education, and real-world learning experiences. Because the majority of the students that attend the camp have behavioral concerns Restorative Justice practices are included to help them reframe their actions related to their behavior; repairing the harm and reintroducing them to the classroom community. Not only do these practices include the students, but the families as well to ensure that we are focusing on the whole child student development process while also identifying any additional supports that the parents/guardians may request.

Data shows that students who have outdoor learning opportunities improve their emotional and behavioral development. The marvelous camp introduced students to social-emotional learning skills through outdoor education including a high ropes course, wilderness exploration, and an equine care program. This allows students an opportunity to disconnect from technology and immerse themselves in real-world experiences. Outdoor learning provided during the camp helps encourage creativity, independence, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

The SEL concepts practiced during the camp are applied and reinforced at the end of each week in the form of offsite excursions to allow the students to practice their new skills through real-world experiences.

Evidence

Concerning Behaviors

Week 1: 32% of students in attendance exhibited concerning behavior.

Week 2: 10% of students in attendance exhibited concerning behavior.

Week 3: 5.9% of students in attendance exhibited concerning behavior.

Week 4: 4% of students in attendance exhibited concerning behavior.

Attendance

66% of enrolled students had perfect attendance.

Data was collected using a weekly behavior monitoring system for each student.

Resources

CASEL framework

Positive Action (Grade 3 & Grade 5 curriculum)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; self-healing communities

Learning Objective 1

Demonstrate an increased awareness of the impact of Social Emotional Learning Practices

Learning Objective 2

Identify ways to integrate SEL and neuroscience into student learning opportunities

Learning Objective 3

Demonstrate an increased awareness of the impact of Restorative Practices in student learning

Keyword Descriptors

social, emotional, learning, restorative, practices, neuroscience, family, community, engagement

Presentation Year

2023

Start Date

3-7-2023 1:00 PM

End Date

3-7-2023 2:15 PM

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Mar 7th, 1:00 PM Mar 7th, 2:15 PM

Marvelous Summer SEL: A unique approach to summer learning

Session Six Breakouts (Scarbrough 4)

Come learn how to engage your students in a four-week summer learning experience where they will learn how to identify, source, and manage their emotions, build social skills, and ultimately identify their individual superpowers! Welcome to the Marvelous Summer Camp experience!