Improving SEL through guided writing with at-risk Seniors

School:: Palmetto Ridge High
Subject:: Language Arts
Teacher:: Kristen Gauly
: Sandi Barcarolo, Cheryl Hauck
Students Impacted:: 58
Grade:: 12
Date:: August 24, 2019

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Schoen Charitable Foundation - $733.20

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 85

This grant allowed us to purchase 85 journals. Unfortunately, they arrive right before spring break and the beginning of the COVID-19's impact on our students. We will be able to utilize them next year with our at-risk seniors and because we were able to obtain them at a lower price than we first found them, we will be able to reach many more students. These journals allow student's self-expression while giving them time to write - a skill that is often noted as weak by those hiring new employees. Writing across the curriculum is also a goal of the district's this year, as well as SEL across the curriculum. While it is disappointing to not see these amazing journals put to use this year, it will be amazing for students who have lived through COVID 19 to be able to use them next year. Building self-esteem, self-confidence, and writing skills in one activity is a gift. We will keep you updated on social media with the progress of this project!

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Each year we work with the at-risk Seniors to not only help them meet graduation requirements but improve their social/emotional well being. We would like to use guided journals to increase their writing time in class, focus on their emotional well being and encourage healthly goal setting and life choices.

What will be done with my students

As part of our collaborative effort, the English teachers (Ms. Hauck, Ms. Barcarolo) and myself the school counselor will use the journals twice a week as an opportunity for self-reflection. We will also allow students to share entries using a tab the page option if they wish. Our hope is to reach some of our students quicker and earlier in the semester by allowing them to journal their feeling through specific guided topics. We found the last two years that they often have obstacles standing in their way that can be addressed if we know about them. This also gives our students the opportunity to see a project through from the beginning of the year to the end through their writing. The topics covered are geared toward finding personal happiness, goal setting, removing obstacles.

Benefits to my students

Our students are incredible, but often feel unsuccessful. Journaling is a way to find a victory every day. It allows students to complete just one task without judgement. It also opens doors to allow them to communicate with me (counselor) without having to speak out loud - or their teacher if they wish. These prompts are designed to help improve their self-worth and allow them to think about how to improve their current life situations. We also know that writing, in any form benefits students. This type of writing allows student to make it feel personal and not forced. I would ask for 2 extra journals just in case students move in as we are not done with enrollments.

Budget Narrative

We currently have 58 students, but I am requesting 60 as we are still enrolling students. I can order the books through Amazon from the Book Depository US at $11.42 per book with free shipping, the total for the books is $685.20 plus tax of $48 arrive at $733.20

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	60 My Little Lykke Journals by Eva Olsen	$733.20
	Total:	$733.20

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