Changemakers:
A social emotional learning curriculum
Integrating mental health best practices into education
About Changemakers
Momentous Institute’s Changemakers curriculum features unique solutions that integrate mental health best practices into elementary schools. The curriculum received the highest designation for evidence-based programs from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) by being named a “SELect” elementary school curriculum. In addition, the curriculum aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and is a Texas Education Agency’s best practice resource for coping with grief and trauma, as well as building skills and managing emotions.
Curriculum Breakdown: Grade Levels, Themes, Units and Lessons
Changemakers utilizes free-standing lessons rooted in social emotional learning (SEL) to promote strong mental health in students.
Curriculum boxes—available for pre-kindergarten to fifth grade—contain 35 to 52 lessons organized into five overarching themes: Safe Relationships, Self-regulation, Awareness of Self, Understanding Others and Changemaker. Lessons are also broken up into 15 skill-focused units such as Gratitude, Resilience, Empathy and Hope.
Units are prefaced with a Teacher Practice section that provides teachers with essential knowledge of topics covered. Additionally, each unit provides an "Equity Lens” and "Trauma Lens,” giving teachers insight to understand and effectively respond to students' past experiences and unique identities. The lessons are designed to last 20-30 minutes and are divided into three sections: Present, Practice and Process.
Pricing for Changemakers Curriculum
Each Changemakers box can be purchased for $850 and includes curriculum for the full school year, 10-15 literature books, implementation training for educators and administrators, as well as access to three additional online trainings.
Training and Implementation Support
Momentous Institute offers two complimentary monthly trainings for curriculum users. The first is focused on how teachers can best implement the curriculum and the second is on how administrators can support social emotional learning in their schools. Once a school has purchased the curriculum, they have ongoing access to implementation trainings as a refresher or to help new hires. Additionally, teachers have ongoing access to online training classes including: Brain Basics, Trauma 101 and Ten Proven Paths to Classroom Connection.
Sample Curriculum
Questions about the Curriculum
For more information and questions about our curriculum, contact our curriculum team at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org. To purchase the curriculum, please fill out our quote form here
What sets changemakers apart?
The Changemakers curriculum was developed after decades of learning from Momentous School. Today, it stands out among other curriculums because it was written by both mental health and education professionals. Notably, it also includes a trauma lens and equity lens.
CASEL Accreditation
Momentous Institute’s Changemakers curriculum has recently been accredited by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as an Elementary SELect Program. Prior to receiving this designation, the curriculum in consideration is researched at length and proven in its program efficacy.
Texas Accreditations
The curriculum aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and is a Texas Education Agency’s best practice resource for coping with grief and trauma, as well as building skills and managing emotions.
About Momentous Institute
Momentous Institute is the only Dallas nonprofit offering mental health services and operating an elementary school. Since its inception over 100 years ago, our innovative programming has remained focused on one goal: changing the odds for all children. The odds show that by the age of 18, 46% of children have faced one or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and children growing up below the poverty line are more likely to have experienced three or more traumatic experiences. Through a team of licensed therapists, we offer high-quality mental health services focused on the treatment of childhood trauma. Our education services are effective because we prioritize both academic achievement AND students’ mental well-being. Unique to Momentous Institute, our team of mental health professionals and educators collaborate to create unique solutions that integrate mental health best practices into schools across the country. Through our trainings, coaching opportunities, in-depth partnerships with schools and online educational videos, Momentous Institute has trained 45,000 professionals.
Momentous School Accreditations
Momentous School is a nationally acclaimed laboratory school providing pre-kindergarten 3 through fifth grade education. We partner with students and families to leverage social emotional learning and strong academics to cultivate a community of changemakers. Momentous School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancEd. The three-year-old, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is included in a Changemakers Curriculum kit?
A: Each box contains 35+ freestanding lessons to last a full school year. Boxes include 10-15 high-quality and age-appropriate read-aloud books as well as visual and reproductive resources.
Q: What certifications has Changemakers Curriculum received?
A: Changemakers received the highest designation for evidence-based programs from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Changemakers was named a CASEL “SELect” Pre-K and elementary school curriculum. In addition, the curriculum aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and is a Texas Education Agency’s best practice resource for grief and trauma, as well as building skills and managing emotions.
Q: Is training included?
A: Yes. Each box includes access to three online classes: Brain Basics, Trauma 101 and Ten Proven Paths to Classroom Connection. Additionally, Momentous Institute’s training team hosts monthly training classes for teachers and administrators focused on how to implement Changemakers in your school.
Q: Does Momentous Institute offer additional training?
A: Absolutely. On top of our annual training options annual training options, our training team offers personalized implementation trainings at the school level. For more information, contact our curriculum team at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org.
Q: Why are equity and trauma lenses included?
A: Social emotional learning is a gamechanger in the classroom. Our research in Momentous Institute classrooms and trainings has found that none of it matters without teachers who deeply understand trauma and equity is necessary to build safe relationships with their students.
Q: Is Changemakers Curriculum available in Spanish?
A: Yes, pre-kindergarten through kindergarten boxes are available in Spanish. We hope to have the remaining grades translated in the near future.
Q: How much does Changemakers Curriculum cost?
A: One box (including the 35+ freestanding lessons, 10-15 reading books and access to our online training) costs $850. Questions on pricing? Contact: curriculum@momentousinstitute.org
TESTIMONIALS
While the lessons were meant for students , it does so much more. I take the lessons about the brain, breath, and empathy and use in my own life. I am a better teacher because of it.
The curriculum training allows teachers to internalize skills before they implement, really giving them a chance to practice the lessons, reflect on the material and learn new skills.
The lessons helped my students build skills in and outside the classroom. Parents have been so interested to learn about the brain as well!
While the lessons were meant for students , it does so much more. I take the lessons about the brain, breath, and empathy and use in my own life. I am a better teacher because of it.
The curriculum training allows teachers to internalize skills before they implement, really giving them a chance to practice the lessons, reflect on the material and learn new skills.
The lessons helped my students build skills in and outside the classroom. Parents have been so interested to learn about the brain as well!
Ready to bring changemakers To your classroom?
If you’d like to purchase the curriculum or learn more about Changemakers, fill out the form below or contact our curriculum team at curriculum@momentousinstitute.org
