Joleen Shillingford

In this engaging 30-minute session, 5th-grade students celebrate Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month by playing a ‘Would You Rather’ mental health challenge. Through fun scenarios, they explore feelings, coping strategies, and positive communication. This Tier 1 lesson builds self-awareness, empathy, and emotional vocabulary in a safe, supportive environment.

A 90-minute individual Tier 3 session designed for a 7th-grade student with autism focusing on reducing profanity, spitting, and disrespectful behavior by building self-control, empathy, and understanding the impact of actions on others—especially his pregnant mother.

In this individual 30-minute session, we'll teach a 7th grader with autism how to manage and replace hitting, spitting, and water-throwing behaviors with positive coping strategies. Through visual social stories, role-play, and self-monitoring tools, students learn to identify triggers, practice self-control techniques, and track progress. This targeted Tier 3 intervention fosters self-regulation and promotes safer social interactions.

In this 30-minute icebreaker for 5th graders, students will explore common coping skills through a fun, interactive mingling activity that builds classroom community and promotes mental health awareness. This Tier 1 lesson helps students recognize healthy strategies for managing emotions and sets a positive tone for future SEL learning.

In this one-session, 30-minute individualized lesson for a 7th grader with autism, students will learn why spitting, kicking, hitting, and name-calling are unacceptable behaviors and practice respectful alternatives. This lesson is crucial for building social skills, promoting empathy, and ensuring safe interactions. Key components include interactive reading, guided discussion, activities, and assessments tailored to the student’s needs.

This one-hour individual support lesson helps a 7th grade student with autism learn appropriate attention-seeking strategies and respectful social skills to replace profanity and spitting behaviors. Through visual supports, social stories, role-play, and positive reinforcement, the student will practice asking for attention and expressing needs in a respectful way.

In this 30-minute individual session for a 5th grader, students explore why hitting, spitting, and cursing harm relationships and feel bad. Through discussion, reflection activities, and role-play, students learn respectful alternatives and self-control strategies, building social-emotional skills.

In this 30-minute Tier 2 group support session for 8th graders, students will explore the emotional and practical steps involved in ending their current school year and preparing for the transition to high school. This lesson is crucial for building confidence, reducing anxiety, and equipping students with strategies to navigate new environments successfully.

In this 90-minute individualized lesson, the student will explore why it’s not acceptable to spit on peers, understand respectful social boundaries, and apply these concepts through a creative project. This lesson is designed for a student with autism (Tier 3 support) and includes multisensory materials and structured activities to build social-emotional skills.

In this single 90-minute Tier 3 social story and reflection session, a 7th grader will explore the impact of spitting through a guided social story creation and personal reflection. This tailored one-on-one lesson supports self-awareness and positive behavior skills.

In this 5-session, 30-minute unit for grades 5–8, students deepen mental health awareness by identifying personal strengths and challenges and crafting a persuasive mental health public service announcement. Through reflective activities, collaborative brainstorming, and iterative feedback, students will develop, storyboard, and present a polished PSA to promote coping strategies and resilience.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 5th–6th graders, students will learn about mental health, discuss why it matters, and collaborate to create a short public service announcement (PSA). This lesson builds self-awareness, empathy, and communication skills—key to promoting a supportive classroom culture.

In this single 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 6th graders, students will explore coping skills and emotional strengths by watching an Inside Out excerpt and connecting concepts to Marvel heroes. They’ll learn about the upcoming Black Boy Joy Talent Show and begin drafting their own mental health PSAs using characters and emotions. This lesson ties directly into schoolwide Mental Health Awareness Month activities and builds students’ social-emotional awareness.

Marvelous Minds is a 4-session Tier 1 unit for 6th graders that blends Marvel themes with clips from Inside Out to dive into mental health, personal strengths, and coping strategies. Over four 30-minute sessions, students will watch, discuss, and create PSAs leading up to a Black Boy Joy talent showcase celebrating emotional resilience.

In this two-session workshop, 6th graders will mentor 3rd and 4th graders on overcoming anger by teaching calming strategies and engaging in creative activities. This lesson is important as it empowers older students to lead and younger students to learn valuable emotional regulation skills, fostering a supportive community. The sessions include discussions, reading, creative design activities, and reflection, all within a 15-minute timeframe per session.

This lesson focuses on helping a 5th-grade student with autism reflect on the impact of using derogatory language and profanity. Through guided reflection, the student will learn the importance of respectful communication and develop strategies to express themselves positively. This individual session is crucial for fostering empathy and improving social interactions.

This lesson aims to teach a 7th-grade student the importance of respectful communication and the inappropriateness of using profanity and spitting. Through engaging activities and discussions, the student will learn about the impact of their words and actions on others, fostering better social skills and empathy. This individual session will last 60 minutes, focusing on personal growth and behavior improvement.

This project is designed for a 7th-grade student with autism, focusing on personal growth and behavioral improvement over four sessions. The project aims to address specific behaviors such as hitting, spitting, defiance, and profanity by engaging the student in daily 30-minute activities that culminate in a larger project. This approach not only helps in managing behaviors but also empowers the student by fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation.

This lesson aims to educate 5th-grade students about autism and the importance of creating safe and inclusive environments for everyone. By understanding autism, students will learn empathy and respect, fostering a supportive community where differences are celebrated rather than mocked. This single 30-minute session will provide students with the knowledge and tools to be allies to their peers with autism.

This lesson is designed for a 7th grader with autism who uses echolalia to repeat profanity and inappropriate statements from movies. The session will focus on redirecting this behavior towards positive and appropriate language, helping the student develop better communication skills. This individual support is crucial for fostering a more positive social interaction and enhancing the student's ability to engage in appropriate conversations.

This lesson focuses on teaching 7th-grade students the importance of personal hygiene and how to develop a personalized hygiene routine. It's crucial for students to understand the impact of hygiene on health and social interactions, especially during adolescence. The lesson is designed for a single 30-minute session and is tailored for individual support, ensuring each student can create a routine that suits their needs.

This lesson is designed for a 7th grader with autism who has been exhibiting challenging behaviors such as flipping desks, hitting his paraprofessional, and using profanity. Over three 30-minute sessions, the student will learn strategies to manage emotions and behaviors effectively. This lesson is crucial as it empowers the student with tools to handle stress and frustration, promoting a positive and safe learning environment.

Students explore the concept of perspectives by examining and discussing narratives from multiple viewpoints within a single scenario. This lesson focuses on empathy and deeper understanding, aimed at helping students appreciate diverse perspectives and develop critical thinking skills. Suitable for students in Grades 5-8.

This individual lesson is designed for an 8th-grade student to explore the differences between stress and PTSD. Understanding these differences is crucial for recognizing and managing emotional health effectively. The lesson will be completed in one 30-minute session and will include a lesson plan and reading materials.

In this engaging two-session lesson for 5th-8th grade boys, students will watch and review films on Netflix in honor of Women's History Month. They will complete a movie review and present their insights, focusing on creativity, oral presentation skills, analysis of acting, themes, and personal opinions. This lesson encourages critical thinking and appreciation of women's contributions to history and culture.

In this engaging lesson, boys in 5th-8th grade will participate in a virtual escape room where they will research and learn about famous women such as the Hidden Figures and Malala Yousafzai. This lesson is important as it promotes gender equality and highlights the contributions of women in history, encouraging students to appreciate diverse perspectives. The session will last 60 minutes and is designed to be interactive and educational, fostering critical thinking and collaboration.

This lesson is designed for 5th to 8th-grade boys to explore the concept of collective vision through the lens of the Black Economic Alliance. Students will learn about the importance of working together towards a common goal and how this has been exemplified in black history. The session will culminate in students completing their black history presentations, reinforcing their understanding and appreciation of collaborative efforts in history. This lesson is crucial for fostering teamwork, understanding historical context, and enhancing presentation skills.

This lesson is designed for 7th-grade students to understand the importance of respecting personal boundaries, specifically focusing on not touching others' private parts. The lesson will include a lesson plan, worksheet, reading, discussion, and activity, all to be completed within 30 minutes.

This lesson is designed for a 7th grader with autism to help them understand and manage their emotions, specifically focusing on not hitting others. The lesson will include interactive activities and a video to engage the student, and it will last for 60 minutes.

This lesson explores the power of collectivism through the historical context of the Greensboro sit-in movement. Students will learn about the four African American students who initiated this pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. By engaging in collaborative and experiential activities, students will understand the impact of collective action and its relevance today. This lesson is important as it fosters critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of social justice.

In this lesson, students will explore the concept of collective vision through the inspiring story of The Three Doctors: Rameck Hunt, George Jenkins, and Sampson Davis. This lesson is important as it highlights the power of collaboration and shared goals in achieving success, encouraging students to think about their own aspirations and the role of teamwork in reaching them.

This lesson focuses on teaching a 7th-grade student with autism the importance of following directions, especially in situations involving dangerous items. Through experiential and game-based learning, the student will engage in activities that highlight the consequences of not following directions and the benefits of doing so. This lesson is crucial for developing safety awareness and decision-making skills.

This lesson is designed to help 7th-grade students with autism learn alternative ways to gain attention without resorting to spitting. Through a combination of experiential learning, game-based activities, and collaborative projects, students will explore social skills and empathy. This lesson is important as it addresses a specific behavioral challenge, providing students with practical tools and strategies to interact positively with peers.

This lesson aims to teach students the importance of using respectful language and avoiding profanity. Through restorative practices, students will explore the impact of words and learn strategies to express themselves positively. This lesson is crucial for fostering a respectful and inclusive classroom environment, helping students develop better communication skills and emotional intelligence.

This lesson focuses on teaching a 7th-grade student with autism positive ways to get attention without resorting to spitting. Through a combination of project-based learning, active learning, and inquiry-based strategies, students will explore and practice alternative methods. This lesson is important as it helps students develop social skills and appropriate communication methods, fostering a more inclusive and understanding classroom environment.

This lesson focuses on teaching 7th graders with autism how to communicate respectfully by avoiding profanity, listening to instructions, and refraining from hitting adults. It incorporates Project-Based Learning and Restorative Practices to engage students actively and empathetically. This lesson is crucial for developing social-emotional skills and fostering a positive classroom environment.

This lesson introduces students to the concept of 'Sankofa,' a word from the Akan tribe in Ghana that means 'to go back and get it.' It emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to build a better future. Through reading, discussion, and activities, students will explore how understanding history can lead to new beginnings. This lesson is important as it encourages students to reflect on their personal growth and the role of history in shaping their future, fostering a sense of resilience and empowerment.

This lesson focuses on teaching the importance of brotherhood while enhancing reading skills. Students will engage in activities that promote teamwork and collaboration, reflecting the values of brotherhood. The lesson includes a mix of active learning and game-based strategies to make reading engaging and meaningful. By the end of the lesson, students will have improved their reading skills and understood the significance of supporting one another.

This lesson introduces students to social anxiety, helping them recognize its symptoms and triggers. Through discussions and role-playing activities, students will learn coping strategies and ways to support peers experiencing social anxiety. This lesson is important as it equips students with the knowledge and skills to manage social anxiety, fostering a supportive and empathetic classroom environment.

This lesson focuses on helping 6th graders with adjustment mood disorder and depression learn and practice emotional regulation strategies. Through experiential learning and restorative practices, students will engage in activities that promote self-awareness and emotional control. This lesson is crucial as it equips students with tools to manage their emotions effectively, reducing reliance on physical contact and fostering a supportive classroom environment.

This lesson helps 5th graders understand grief and how to support a friend who has lost a parent. Through a combination of video, discussion, and activities, students will learn about the emotions associated with grief and practical ways to offer support. This lesson is important as it fosters empathy, emotional intelligence, and supportive peer relationships, which are crucial for social development.

This lesson is designed to help students calm down and relax after taking interim assessments. It incorporates a variety of strategies including Game-Based Learning and Restorative Practices to engage students in calming activities. This lesson is important as it helps students manage stress and anxiety, promoting a healthy mental state and improving their ability to focus and learn in future lessons.

This lesson plan is designed to help a 7th-grade autistic student manage challenging behaviors such as spitting, cursing, and kicking. Over four days, the student will engage in activities that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and positive behavior reinforcement. The lesson incorporates various teaching strategies to cater to the student's unique learning needs, ensuring a supportive and engaging environment.

In this lesson, students will engage in a collaborative drawing activity where one team member draws a 'New Year 2024' scene based on input from their peers. This activity is designed to foster teamwork and communication skills. Following the drawing, students will participate in a discussion to reflect on how they can support each other in achieving their goals for the upcoming year, particularly focusing on their journey towards graduation or moving up ceremonies. This lesson is important as it encourages students to recognize the value of collaboration and mutual support, which are essential skills for their academic and personal growth.

This lesson plan is designed to help students unwind and regulate their emotions after interim assessments through engaging and collaborative games. By incorporating game-based learning and trauma-informed teaching strategies, students will have the opportunity to relax, have fun, and develop social-emotional skills in a supportive environment. This lesson is important as it provides a necessary break from academic stress and fosters a sense of community and teamwork among students.

This lesson focuses on mindfulness and gratitude through engaging activities and a guided meditation video. Students will participate in experiential and game-based learning to explore mindfulness practices, fostering a sense of appreciation and well-being. This lesson is important as it helps students develop emotional regulation and self-awareness, crucial skills for their overall mental health and academic success.

This lesson explores the evolution of homework, engaging students in understanding how homework has changed over time and its impact on learning. Through a blend of collaborative and active learning strategies, students will discuss, analyze, and reflect on the role of homework in their education. This lesson is important as it helps students appreciate the purpose of homework and develop skills to manage it effectively.

This lesson engages students in a fun and interactive activity to explore the concept of gratitude without cultural bias. By focusing on gratitude as a universal value, students will learn to appreciate the positive aspects of their lives and the people around them. This lesson is important as it fosters emotional well-being and helps students develop a positive mindset, which is crucial for their social and emotional development.

This lesson helps students prepare for the emotional impact of receiving their report cards. By using trauma-informed teaching and restorative practices, students will learn to identify and manage their emotions effectively. This lesson is crucial for fostering emotional resilience and promoting a healthy response to academic feedback.

This lesson guides students through a reflective journaling session focused on checking in with their emotions. Students will explore what triggers their emotions and how they can express these feelings constructively. This activity supports emotional literacy and self-reflection, helping students to better understand and manage their emotions.

This lesson guides students through a reflective journaling session focused on checking in with their emotions. Students will explore what triggers their emotions and how they can express these feelings constructively. This activity supports emotional literacy and self-reflection, helping students develop a deeper understanding of their emotional responses and how to manage them effectively.

This lesson focuses on helping a 7th-grade student with autism manage challenging behaviors and use coping strategies to decrease anxiety in the classroom. By engaging in a project-based learning activity, the student will explore different coping mechanisms and practice decision-making skills in a supportive environment. This lesson is important as it provides the student with practical tools to handle stress and anxiety, promoting a more positive classroom experience.

This lesson aims to raise awareness about World Kindness Day, focusing on embracing diversity among peers of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and disabilities. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will learn the importance of kindness and empathy towards others who may be different from themselves. This lesson is crucial in fostering an inclusive and supportive school environment, promoting understanding and acceptance among students.

This lesson helps students begin to identify and understand their body sensations, which is a crucial step in emotional regulation. By recognizing physical cues, students can better manage their emotions and responses. This lesson uses experiential learning and trauma-informed teaching to create a safe and engaging environment for exploration.

This lesson engages students in a simulation of the election process while exploring the emotions it can evoke. Through experiential learning and discussions, students will gain insights into the democratic process and the emotional dynamics involved. This lesson is crucial for fostering civic awareness and emotional intelligence, encouraging students to understand and manage their emotions during democratic participation.

This lesson engages students in a collaborative exploration of how to create a positive school culture. Through discussion, brainstorming, and writing, students will develop ideas for an essay competition. This lesson is important as it empowers students to contribute to their school environment and enhances their writing and critical thinking skills.

This lesson aims to educate 7th-grade students about the importance of standing up against bullying and supporting peers who may be victims. Through a combination of reading, discussion, video, and activities, students will learn strategies to combat bullying and foster a supportive school environment. This session is crucial in promoting empathy, resilience, and proactive behavior among students, equipping them with the tools to handle bullying situations effectively.

This lesson aims to educate 7th and 8th graders on how to respond to bullying positively using the DASA framework. It includes a discussion on the definition and tenets of DASA, a worksheet for reflection, and a video to illustrate positive responses to bullying. This lesson is crucial as it empowers students with the knowledge and skills to handle bullying situations effectively, promoting a safe and respectful school environment.

This lesson aims to help students in a grief counseling group understand and explore the concept of masking emotions. By engaging in a reading, discussion, worksheet, and activity, students will learn to identify and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. This lesson is important as it encourages emotional awareness and provides strategies for healthy emotional expression, which are crucial for students dealing with grief.

This lesson aims to teach 7th graders how to be flexible in challenging situations using trauma-informed teaching strategies. By understanding the importance of flexibility, students can better manage their emotions and adapt to changes. This lesson is crucial for developing resilience and emotional intelligence, which are essential skills for personal growth and success.

This lesson aims to help middle school boys understand bullying as a reflection of one's feelings. Through inquiry-based learning and restorative practices, students will explore the emotional roots of bullying and develop empathy and self-awareness. This lesson is crucial in fostering a supportive school environment and empowering students to address bullying constructively.

This lesson aims to educate students about the importance of standing up against bullying and promoting a positive school environment. Through a combination of collaborative and experiential learning strategies, students will engage in discussions, activities, and reflections to understand the impact of bullying and how they can contribute to a supportive community. This lesson is crucial in fostering empathy, resilience, and proactive behavior among students, empowering them to be advocates for themselves and others.

This lesson aims to teach a 7th-grade student with autism the importance of respectful interactions, specifically focusing on not spitting on peers. Through a combination of reading, discussion, and experiential activities, the student will explore the impact of their actions and learn alternative ways to express emotions. This lesson is crucial in fostering a safe and respectful learning environment, promoting social-emotional growth, and enhancing peer relationships.

This lesson aims to help a 6th-grade student identify new interests and hobbies that can be used for a behavior tracker. By engaging in experiential and game-based learning activities, the student will explore various activities and reflect on what they enjoy. This approach not only helps in understanding the student's preferences but also supports emotional well-being by providing positive outlets for expression.

This lesson aims to help students find motivation as the quarter ends by engaging them in a discussion, activity, and reflection. It's important because maintaining motivation can lead to better academic performance and personal growth. The lesson will encourage students to identify personal goals and strategies to stay motivated.

This lesson encourages students to reflect on their grades from Interim Assessment 1 and set goals to demonstrate moral courage until the end of Quarter 1. Through a combination of discussion, collaborative activities, and personal reflection, students will identify areas for improvement and commit to actions that reflect moral courage. This lesson is important as it fosters self-awareness, accountability, and ethical behavior, which are crucial for personal growth and academic success.

This lesson aims to teach a 7th-grade student with autism about respecting personal space and appropriate interactions with peers and adults. Through experiential and game-based learning, students will engage in activities that highlight the importance of personal boundaries and respectful communication. This lesson is crucial for fostering a safe and inclusive environment, helping students develop social skills that are essential for positive interactions.

This lesson involves creating a supportive circle space where students can share experiences and listen to peers, fostering a culture of understanding and acceptance. It helps students appreciate diverse perspectives and builds a warm community atmosphere, which is crucial for their social-emotional development.

In this brief lesson, students will engage in a discussion about the importance of anti-bullying and brainstorm ideas for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to promote awareness during Anti-Bullying Week. This lesson is crucial as it empowers students to take an active role in promoting a positive school environment and helps them develop empathy and communication skills.

This lesson is designed to help students relax and unwind after taking interim assessments. Through a series of fun and collaborative activities, students will engage in a game-based learning experience that promotes teamwork and stress relief. This lesson is important as it provides students with an opportunity to decompress, fostering a positive and supportive classroom environment.

This lesson focuses on teaching middle school boys about moral courage, particularly in the context of peer pressure and decision-making. Using a blend of game-based and project-based learning strategies, students will engage in activities that help them understand and practice moral courage. This lesson is crucial as it prepares students to face real-life situations with integrity and confidence, especially during assessments.

This lesson aims to help students understand and develop moral courage as they prepare for their first interim assessments. Through a game-based activity and a guided discussion, students will explore the concept of moral courage and how it applies to their academic challenges. This lesson is important as it builds resilience and a positive mindset towards assessments, which can be a source of anxiety for many students.

This lesson aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention among middle school boys. It will include a discussion to understand the importance of mental health, an activity to identify support systems, a group brainstorming session, a personal reflection, an interactive quiz, and an exit ticket to reflect on the lesson. This lesson is crucial as it equips students with knowledge and resources to seek help and support others.

This lesson aims to raise awareness about National Suicide Prevention Month and emphasize the importance of brotherhood and seeking help early for mental health issues. The lesson includes a discussion, an engaging activity, a video, and a quiz/exit ticket to reinforce learning.