WAYFINDER

Belonging ToolkitSelf-awareness is addressed throughout the entire belonging curriculum arc. However, this specific toolkit also includes modules (sets of 3 or more lessons) that address: recognizing and working with different emotions and discomfort, working with pressure and increasing perceived self-worth, developing a growth mindset, and self-compassion. 

This toolkit addresses self-regulation from a brain and body perspective. Modules include: building healthy habits and breaking unhealthy habits, identifying and practicing strategies to manage stress, discomfort, and difficult emotions. Lessons are actionable (such as how to ask for help, or peer-to-peer healthy habit coaching), which requires students to practice goal-setting and organizational skills to accomplish stated goals. 

+ Identifying emotions+ Accurate self-perception+ Self-confidence+ Self-efficacy

+ Impulse control+ Stress management+ Self-discipline+ Self-motivation+ Goal-setting+ Organizational skills

Purpose ToolkitIn this toolkit, students explore who they are and what matters to them. They reflect on their personal narratives, identity, what brings them joy, and values. Students explore issues in the world that they are emotionally moved by, how their identity shapes their perspective, and influences their behavior. Students recognize the growth, confidence and self-efficacy gained from challenges they have overcome in their lives.

At the end of each lesson, students are encouraged to commit to a small practice to apply the lesson into their everyday lives. Students identify how they might further develop a strength, deepen a value, or engage in more in an activity that brings them joy. They are also introduced to mindfulness-based practices that support stress management, self-regulation, and  self-discipline. At the end of the toolkit, students declare new practice goals they want to adopt to live with more purpose.

Project Wayfinder curricula has been designed in accordance with the five core SEL competencies. Here’s how . . .

Self-Management

Self-Awareness

SEL COMPETENCIES

+ Perspective-taking+ Empathy+ Appreciating diversity+ Respect for others

Purpose

Relationship skills+ Communication+ Social engagement+ Relationship-building+ Teamwork

Belonging Social awareness is developed within each lesson through discussion protocols (pair-share, group-share, deep listening, small group brainstorm). The toolkit includes a module on empathy and perspective- taking that explores how students can work together to increase belonging while acknowledging and appreciating difference. Students learn how to actively include others and practice upstanding behavior. 

This toolkit addresses relationships skills on many levels: deepening relationships with friends and family, acknowledging and connecting with new members of a community, reaching out for help, and more. Students learn and practice concrete communication skills in each module. The toolkit addresses teamwork through games and activities throughout the toolkit. 

This toolkit provides frameworks for interpersonal conflict resolution : navigating differences , sharing emotions honestly and kindly, and intervening on unkind or unjust behavior. It also provides guidance for intrapersonal problem-solving within students to support self-reflection and well-being of oneself.

Responsible decision making + Identifying problems+ Analyzing situations+ Solving problems+ Evaluating+ Reflecting+ Ethical responsibility

Discussions about personal values, identity, and narratives invite students to practice deep listening and to pay attention to the ways they are similar and different from one another. In chapter two, students explore how they are interconnected with others and the impact they have on the world. They practice the skills of empathy and perspective-taking by recognizing how their identity and experiences shape their lens on the world.

Students deepen relationships with each other by practicing the communication skill of sharing vulnerably . Students are repeatedly invited to practice deep listening and to work together to uncover connections in others’ lives that are beneath the surface. They also practice teamwork through one-on-one interviewing and experiential challenges that involve mutual support and cooperation.

Students explore extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, and analyze what a successful life means to them. Students also learn tools to contribute beyond themselves by identifying problems in the world that they care about and distill why they care about those issues. Students create a Purpose Guide to refer to when making decisions. The guide helps them evaluate and reflect on whether the decisions they make are in line with their values and the deeper ‘why’ that motivates them.

Social awareness