At Sources of Strength our vision is to empower a well world.
By moving upstream in the prevention cycle through the Sources of Strength Elementary model, students and adults are invited into creating communities where belonging and connection are the norm, leading to increased purpose and agency, therefore diminishing downstream negative outcomes. Our model moves to increase health and wellness through empowering individuals and communities of belonging and connection to empower a well world.
Curriculum
Sources of Strength Elementary is a Tier 1 universal curriculum for all students grades K-6. Lessons are designed to be approximately 30 minutes in length and delivered once a week. Every lesson incorporates a Talking Circle where students are invited to think, share, and practice building healthy relationships and listening skills as we learn from diverse perspectives. Lessons are interactive with games, emotional regulation practice, and creative expression designed to:
- Increase student and adult connections with one another
- Invite students to identify the Strengths (protective factors) they have in their lives that help them through life’s ups and downs (see Wheel image below)
- Develop understanding of how our brain and body communicate to help us regulate
- Increase emotional vocabulary
- Identify and practice a variety of healthy emotional regulation strategies
- Understand the importance of seeking help for oneself, as well as how we can connect others to help in times of need.
- Empower students and staff alike to be agents of healthy culture change
Sources of Strength Elementary is a universal, classroom-based curriculum, designed to be taught by any adult staff member:
- Classroom teacher
- Social emotional learning specialist
- School mental health professional
- Classroom paraprofessional
Kindergarten-2nd Grade Curriculum
The curriculum contains 24 lessons total in three units centering on connections and community, engaging strengths, and empowering students to see the ways they can use their voices to make a difference. There is a frequent rhythm of celebration in these grade levels as students are invited to notice and name the positive growth they see in themselves and those around them.
3rd-6th Grade Curriculum
The curriculum for intermediate grades contains 34 lessons that are designed for flexible delivery across multiple grade levels. Each unit concludes with an opportunity to celebrate the growth students see in themselves and those around them.
See a breakdown of the units here:
It is a driving principle of Sources of Strength to incorporate student voice and active engagement with our teaching practices. We believe that the deepest learning occurs when we approach the subject matter from a positive mindset and bring awareness to our Strengths, while also incorporating interactive learning components. This helps people of all ages fully internalize and apply the concepts to their own lives. Lessons at each grade level includes the following core elements:
- Active learning components including art, stories, games, activities, etc. that engage different learning centers of the brain for optimal application and growth.
- Talking Circles to facilitate a collaborative sharing time that fosters connection and empathy, empowers student voice, and promotes equity.
- Guided reflection exercises including breathing, sensory, and mindfulness activities that support self-regulation and self-awareness.
- Celebrations of growth that highlight students’ Strength and skill development while applying a growth mindset.
This curriculum integrates well with many of the practices and programs that schools are already using, such as Restorative Practices, Mindfulness, PBIS, etc. Each lesson aligns the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) core competencies that include relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision making, self-management and self awareness.
The curriculum contains 24 lessons total in three units centering on connections and community, engaging strengths, and empowering students to see the ways they can use their voices to make a difference. There is a frequent rhythm of celebration in these grade levels as students are invited to notice and name the positive growth they see in themselves and those around them.
The curriculum for intermediate grades contains 34 lessons that are designed for flexible delivery across multiple grade levels. Each unit concludes with an opportunity to celebrate the growth students see in themselves and those around them.
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