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About Second Step

The Curriculumicon - book

 

For grades 6–8, the Second Step Middle School curriculum includes 4 units that focus on the following topics:

  • Unit 1: Mindsets & Goals
  • Unit 2: Developing a Positive Sense of Self
  • Unit 3: Thoughts, Emotions, & Decisions
  • Unit 4: Managing Relationships & Social Conflict

Each unit consists of 6–7 lessons for a total of 26–27 lessons during the year.

Each lesson takes approximately 25 minutes to complete.

There are nearly 200 optional advisory activities (each taking approximately 10–15 minutes) to reinforce skills taught in lessons.

Instructional Materialsicon - checklist

 

Relevant and engaging graphics, videos, activities, and stories that age along with students.

Teachers are facilitators, not lecturers, which helps keep the focus on relationship-building.

Offers opportunities to connect students with each other and practice skills, build community.

Performance tasks serve as a summative and formative assessment.

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Teacher Trainingicon - person presenting in front of whiteboard

 

Self-guided training is provided within the Second Step program for lesson instructors and staff to:

  • Understand what the Second Step program is and the research behind it.
  • Know which tools and resources to use and where to find them.
  • Gain strategies and guidance on how to teach and/or reinforce Second Step skills and concepts in the classroom and throughout the school building.

In addition, as a part of this study there will be in-person (or virtual) training that includes:

  • PD sessions (each approximately 2 hours) that focus on program onboarding, implementation support, platform walkthrough, and sample activities/lessons.

Additional training resources include:

  • Quick Start Guide videos (each approximately 5 minutes) to support lesson instructors with tips and recommendations for effective lesson delivery.
  • Unit Overview videos (10 minutes each) to support all staff in reinforcing the key terms, concepts, and skills throughout the day and in all areas of the school.

Administrator Trainingicon - person reading a book

 

For Principals and other SEL leaders a toolkit is provided that includes:

  • Resources to learn about the Second Step program and the research behind it.
  • Tips and tools to plan for and lead a schoolwide implementation.
  • Customizable presentations to use when introducing the program with staff and when checking in during key points in the year.
  • Guidance and tools to monitor and evaluate implementation progress in support of ongoing improvement.
  • Recommendations about when and how to engage families.
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Learn more about the training for teachers and administrators*