Mindful Me: Building a Culture of Care

12th Grade Project 5 weeks

Mindful Me: Building a Culture of Care

Giselle Varela

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to empower high school seniors to understand and appreciate the significance of self-awareness in cultivating a culture of self-care and mental well-being among young people. By engaging with local cultural organizations and community leaders, students will explore diverse perspectives on self-care, allowing them to gain a comprehensive understanding of mental well-being across different cultures. Through studying psychological theories and practices such as mindfulness and emotional intelligence, students will deepen their knowledge of how these concepts contribute to self-care. The project encourages students to reflect on their personal growth through journaling and digital portfolios, while also developing a multimedia campaign that promotes self-awareness and self-care. By collaborating with peers and receiving feedback from mental health professionals, students will refine their materials to ensure they effectively communicate self-care strategies to their community. Ultimately, this project aims to leave a lasting impact on the youth by fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes mental well-being and self-love.

Learning goals

In this project, students will delve into the essential role of self-awareness in promoting self-care and mental well-being among youth. They will explore psychological theories and practices, such as mindfulness and emotional intelligence, to understand how these concepts contribute to personal growth and community health. By engaging with local cultural organizations and community leaders, students will gain diverse perspectives on self-care, learning how different cultures approach mental well-being. Through a combination of research, reflection, and creative expression, students will develop a multimedia campaign to advocate for mental well-being, culminating in a digital portfolio that showcases their journey and insights. This project will enhance students' critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, while fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of self-care in their lives and communities.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Social-Emotional Learning Standards - CASEL SEL Competencies: Demonstrate the ability to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Products

In this project, students will create a comprehensive multimedia campaign designed to promote self-awareness and self-care among their peers and the wider community. This campaign will include videos, podcasts, and social media content that highlight the importance of mental well-being and provide practical self-care strategies. The campaign will serve as a self-care toolkit accessible to all students, offering resources that encourage personal growth and mental health awareness. Additionally, students will develop a digital portfolio documenting their journey of self-awareness and self-care, showcasing their learning and personal development through various multimedia elements. This project will culminate in an exhibition where students present their campaigns and portfolios to the school community and receive feedback from mental health professionals and educators.

Launch

To effectively launch this project, organize a "Personal Growth Hackathon" as an engaging and collaborative event. Begin with an inspiring keynote speaker, such as a local mental health advocate or community leader, to set the tone and emphasize the importance of self-care and mental well-being. Following the keynote, students will work in teams to brainstorm and develop innovative ideas for promoting self-awareness and mental well-being among their peers. Encourage creativity and problem-solving by providing diverse resources, such as articles, videos, and expert interviews, to spark inspiration. Conclude the event with student presentations, where each team shares their concepts with a panel of community leaders and mental health professionals. This panel will provide constructive feedback and insights, helping students refine their ideas and set the stage for the project's development. This launch activity not only ignites student interest but also fosters a sense of community involvement and purpose from the outset.

Exhibition

To effectively exhibit the students' multimedia campaign on self-awareness and self-care, organize a "Mental Well-being Showcase" event at the school. This exhibition can feature interactive stations where students present their digital portfolios, multimedia campaigns, and personal growth journeys. Invite family members, peers, community leaders, and mental health professionals to engage with the students' work. Each station could include elements such as video presentations, podcast listening booths, and social media content displays. Additionally, create a space for live demonstrations or workshops on mindfulness practices and emotional intelligence exercises. Encourage visitors to participate in discussions and provide feedback, fostering a collaborative environment that celebrates the students' achievements and promotes mental well-being in the community.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Introduction to the Project - The teacher will introduce the project, its purpose, and the expectations. Students will participate in a discussion on self-awareness and self-care, sharing initial thoughts and questions.	Day 2: Personal Growth Hackathon Launch - Host a 'Personal Growth Hackathon' where students listen to a keynote speaker, a local mental health advocate, discussing the importance of self-care and mental well-being.	Day 3: Team Formation and Brainstorming - Students will form teams and start brainstorming ideas for their multimedia campaign. Encourage them to use resources such as articles, videos, and expert interviews provided.	Day 4: Research and Resource Gathering - Students will conduct research on self-awareness and self-care, focusing on psychological theories like mindfulness and emotional intelligence. They will gather resources to support their campaign ideas.	Day 5: Presentations and Feedback - Each team will present their initial ideas to the class and a panel of community leaders and mental health professionals, who will provide constructive feedback.
Deliverables	1. Team Formation and Initial Campaign Concept - By the end of the week, each team should have formed and developed an initial concept for their multimedia campaign on self-awareness and self-care.
Preparation	1. Prepare an engaging presentation to introduce the project and its objectives on Day 1. 2. Organize the 'Personal Growth Hackathon' event, including coordinating with the keynote speaker and setting up resources for inspiration. 3. Arrange a panel of community leaders and mental health professionals for feedback on Day 5. 4. Provide students with a curated list of articles, videos, and expert interviews to assist in their research and brainstorming.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Deep Dive into Mindfulness - Students will participate in a workshop on mindfulness practices. This will include guided meditation exercises and discussions on how mindfulness can enhance self-awareness and self-care.	Day 2: Exploring Emotional Intelligence - Conduct a session where students learn about emotional intelligence, its components, and its relevance to self-care. Students will engage in activities to assess and enhance their emotional intelligence.	Day 3: Cultural Perspectives on Self-Care - Students will explore various cultural approaches to mental well-being by engaging with resources provided by local cultural organizations. They will discuss their findings in groups.	Day 4: Research and Development - Teams will continue researching psychological theories and cultural practices related to mental well-being. They will begin developing content for their digital portfolios and multimedia campaigns.	Day 5: Team Progress Check-In - Each team will present their progress to the class, focusing on what they have learned about mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and cultural perspectives. They will receive peer feedback to refine their campaigns.
Deliverables	1. Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence Reflection - Students will submit a reflection piece discussing how mindfulness and emotional intelligence can be incorporated into their self-care practices. 2. Cultural Perspectives Summary - Each team will provide a summary of the cultural perspectives on self-care they have researched, highlighting key insights and how these can be applied to their campaigns.
Preparation	1. Organize a mindfulness workshop, including identifying a facilitator or utilizing guided meditation resources. 2. Prepare materials and activities for the emotional intelligence session, including self-assessment tools. 3. Gather resources from local cultural organizations on diverse approaches to mental well-being for students to explore. 4. Provide feedback guidelines and a rubric for the team progress presentations on Day 5.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Digital Storytelling Workshop - Students will participate in a workshop focused on digital storytelling techniques. They will learn how to effectively convey messages around self-awareness and self-care using multimedia elements such as video, audio, and graphics.	Day 2: Campaign Content Development - Teams will start creating content for their multimedia campaigns. They will apply digital storytelling techniques to develop engaging narratives around self-care strategies.	Day 3: Peer Review and Feedback - Each team will present a draft version of their campaign content to their peers. Students will provide constructive feedback, focusing on clarity, engagement, and the effectiveness of the self-care message.	Day 4: Revision and Refinement - Based on the feedback received, teams will revise their campaign content. They will focus on enhancing the storytelling aspects and ensuring that the message aligns with their research on cultural perspectives and psychological theories.	Day 5: Expert Consultation - Students will have the opportunity to consult with mental health professionals and digital media experts. These consultations will provide additional insights and guidance to refine their campaigns further.
Deliverables	1. Draft Version of Multimedia Campaign - Each team will submit a draft version of their multimedia campaign, incorporating digital storytelling techniques covered during the week. 2. Peer Review Feedback Summary - Teams will compile a summary of the feedback received during the peer review session and outline the revisions they plan to implement.
Preparation	1. Arrange a digital storytelling workshop, including identifying a facilitator with expertise in multimedia storytelling. 2. Prepare guidelines and rubrics for peer review sessions to ensure constructive and focused feedback. 3. Coordinate with mental health professionals and digital media experts to schedule consultation sessions with students on Day 5. 4. Ensure that necessary technology and resources are available for students to develop and present their multimedia content.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Finalizing Campaign Content - Teams will focus on polishing their multimedia campaign content, ensuring that it effectively communicates self-awareness and self-care strategies. They will refine their digital storytelling elements and make final edits based on previous feedback.	Day 2: Portfolio Development - Students will begin compiling their digital portfolios, which will document their journey of self-awareness and self-care. They will include reflections, research insights, and multimedia elements from their campaigns.	Day 3: Presentation Skills Workshop - Conduct a workshop on effective presentation skills. Students will learn how to confidently present their campaigns and portfolios, focusing on clear communication and audience engagement.	Day 4: Mock Presentations - Each team will conduct a mock presentation of their campaign and portfolio to the class. They will practice delivering their message and receive feedback on their presentation style and content.	Day 5: Final Revisions and Preparation - Teams will incorporate feedback from the mock presentations and make final revisions to their campaigns and portfolios. They will prepare for the upcoming exhibition by rehearsing their presentations and ensuring all materials are ready.
Deliverables	1. Final Multimedia Campaign - Each team will submit their polished multimedia campaign, ready for exhibition. 2. Digital Portfolio - Students will submit a comprehensive digital portfolio showcasing their journey and insights on self-awareness and self-care.
Preparation	1. Prepare materials and resources for the presentation skills workshop, including tips on effective communication and audience engagement. 2. Organize a schedule for mock presentations, ensuring each team has adequate time to practice and receive feedback. 3. Coordinate with IT staff to ensure all necessary technology is available for campaign presentations and digital portfolios. 4. Review final deliverables to ensure they meet project criteria and are exhibition-ready.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Day 1: Exhibition Setup - Students will collaborate to set up their exhibition spaces, ensuring their multimedia campaigns and digital portfolios are displayed effectively. Teachers and students will work together to arrange interactive stations and ensure all technical equipment is functioning.	Day 2: Final Rehearsal - Conduct a final rehearsal for the 'Mental Well-being Showcase.' Students will practice their presentations in their exhibition spaces, focusing on timing, clarity, and engagement with the audience.	Day 3: Mental Well-being Showcase - Host the exhibition event where students present their multimedia campaigns and digital portfolios to the school community, family members, community leaders, and mental health professionals. Encourage interaction and feedback from attendees at each station.	Day 4: Reflection and Feedback - Students will participate in a reflection session to discuss their exhibition experiences. They will gather feedback from attendees and peers, focusing on what they learned and areas for improvement.	Day 5: Project Debrief and Celebration - Conduct a debrief session to celebrate the students' achievements throughout the project. Discuss the overall impact of the project on personal growth and community awareness of self-care and mental well-being.
Deliverables	1. Exhibition Presentation - Successful presentation of multimedia campaigns and digital portfolios during the Mental Well-being Showcase. 2. Reflection Summary - A written reflection summarizing student experiences, feedback received, and personal insights gained from the exhibition.
Preparation	1. Coordinate logistics for the Mental Well-being Showcase, including venue setup, technical requirements, and invitations to community members and mental health professionals. 2. Prepare guidelines and a checklist for students to ensure their exhibition stations are organized and engaging. 3. Arrange for feedback forms or digital platforms to collect feedback from exhibition attendees. 4. Plan a celebration activity or event to recognize student efforts and accomplishments at the end of the project.