Stress and trauma are on the rise among students, disrupting the learning environment. Educational nonprofit Hope Rising is offering free samples of materials designed to help teachers foster hope and resilience in Pre-K-12 classrooms.
What's the biggest leading indicator of success for children? A prestigious preschool? Learning to read before entering kindergarten? A solid foundation in STEM-related concepts?
Some would say it's as simple as having hope.
And one group would like to teach hope and the emotional resilience it creates in every classroom.
At a time when mental health concerns are on the rise, Hope Rising is offering a K-12 curriculum that helps students develop coping skills that increase their EQ, or emotional quotient.
You can visit https://info.hoperisingedu.com/emotional-intelligence/curriculumsample to learn more.
Developers of the My Best Me curriculum are offering free sample lessons specifically created for elementary, middle school, and high school students. The full course is designed to foster lifelong hope and resilience by educating youth on topics like identity, health, community, economics, and the environment.
Statistics show that students were struggling with mental health even before the pandemic, and the numbers have only grown worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control. At that time, 37 percent of youth suffered from poor mental health, according to CDC data. But in 2022, 44 percent said they experienced recurring sad, hopeless feelings within the previous 12 months. CDC experts recently recommended programs that promote social/emotional learning as a key tool to improving mental health.
In schools where the My Best Me program was used, administrators have seen higher grades and graduation rates, as well as reduced suspensions and dropout rates, according to data from Hope Rising. Materials equip students for success by teaching methods for goal setting, conflict resolution, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.
Academics aren't the main focus of the curriculum, but grades naturally climb as applying new skills improves the classroom learning environment. These same skills give students hope that better days lie ahead and their actions can help shape the future.
The nonprofit group supports teacher efforts to guide students through stress and trauma as they prepare them to navigate life’s challenges. Having hope for the future is a leading indicator of success, since it improves coping skills, drives positive relationships, and reinforces healthy adaptive behaviors.
“Hope is the belief that tomorrow will be better than today, and that you have the power to make it so," a representative for the company said. "Research shows that hope is the answer for the student, classroom, district, and the community.”
The curriculum is available in both digital and hard copies and includes multimedia segments, collaborative exercises, parent summaries, and distance learning options.
Could your classroom or school use a dose of hope? Check out https://hoperisingedu.com for more information.
