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Social Emotional Learning. What Is It and Why Is It Important?

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If you have a school-age child, you may have heard about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through your school or their teachers as the term has gained popularity in formal education. Additionally, it has been an integral component of learning at residential environmental education centers (outdoor schools) like Sierra Nevada Journeys outdoor program at Grizzly Creek Ranch.

Our Overnight Outdoor Learning program has been an extension of regular classroom programs with schools. Held at the beautiful Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola, California, Overnight Outdoor Learning is designed for fifth- and sixth-grade students and includes STEM, teambuilding, and SEL components. When students attend the 3-to-5-day program, we use the outdoors as their classroom and they learn using experiential, hands-on approaches. They are encouraged to use critical thinking by asking questions, making observations and conducting investigations.

One of the key components of Overnight Outdoor Learning is SEL defined as,

“The process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”

- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Why is SEL important?

SEL provides a foundation for safe and positive learning and enhances students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.

Research shows that SEL not only improves achievement by an average of 11 percentile points, but it also increases prosocial behaviors (such as kindness, sharing and empathy), improves student attitudes toward school, and reduces depression and stress among students (Durlak et al., 2011).

During the coronavirus pandemic, many youth may be experiencing stress and anxiety. They may feel disconnected from others due to quarantine and schools being closed. The need for SEL is rising due to these circumstances.

Ask your school about SEL programs that they may offer. Since 2012, Washoe County School District has been using SEL strategies as a way to increase graduation rates.

Through Washoe County School District’s Parent University, you’ll find regularly scheduled SEL courses to help parents engage in SEL practices, such as College and Career Success and Building Resiliency in Children.

Sacramento City Unified School District’s SEL at home is a great place for parents to learn SEL principles that they can do with their children. They include:

1.      Focus on strengths.
2.      Follow up with a consequence for misbehavior.
3.      Ask children how they feel.
4.      Find ways to stay calm when angry.
5.      Avoid humiliation or mocking your child.
6.      Be willing to apologize.
7.      Give children choices and respect their wishes.
8.      Ask questions that help children solve problems on their own.
9.      Encourage sharing and helping

Learn more about Sierra Nevada Journeys’ education model and STEM programs that incorporate SEL principles.

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"This or That" Summer Camp Game

“This or That” game asks you to choose between two related options. It’s that simple! The downloadable graphic can get you started and uses items unique to Grizzly Creek Ranch and Sierra Nevada Journeys Summer Camp.

The game is a fun icebreaker or at family gatherings; it works with any group size and doesn’t require any special equipment or preparation other than your creative thinking skills. “This or That” can be played at camp, in the car on a road trip or any time you feel like taking a mental break and having a few laughs.

Share which ones you choose from the graphic below by adding your comments at the bottom of this story. Or, list which questions we should add to the game.

If you’re looking for other question ideas, visit IceBreakerIdeas.com to find an online version. It compares your response with thousands of other people who have already answered the question.

The American River Parkway in Sacramento

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I’ve always loved running as a way to stay active, but with the recent quarantine, more than ever, it’s been essential to my well-being.

My family is lucky to live a couple of miles from the American River Parkway. The Parkway includes more than 30 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, and many bike paths that stretch through 4,800-acres of natural resources in Sacramento County, California. It has more than a dozen access points including William B. Pond and River Bend Park which are two of our field day locations for Classrooms Unleashed.

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Recently, we made it a point to drive to the river in the late afternoon or early evening each day. Sometimes we go for a walk as a family, exploring side trails and skipping rocks. Other days, we split up, so that our teenager can get some alone time, and I can get my run in while immersing myself into a podcast. I feel like I’m getting to know the river better — its plant and animal inhabitants and its visitors. Each spring, the redbud trees are in bloom, and the trails are lined with mugwort, vetch, and wild radish. It’s a beautiful place to visit and explore.

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Is there a park or nature area where you live that you like to visit? If so, make a plan for an outing with your family this week. See how many different kinds of plants, trees, and wildlife you can find.

For maps and more detailed information about the Lower American River, visit the American River Parkway Foundation.

By Sarah Barnes, Sacramento Program Director

Mugwort

Mugwort

About the Vegetation

California mugwort ‘Artemisia douglasiana’ is a western North American species of aromatic herb in the sunflower family. Native Americans used it as a medicinal plant to relieve joint pain and headaches and to treat abrasions and rashes.

Eastern redbud ‘Cercis canadensis’ is a large deciduous shrub or small tree that has a cluster of tiny magenta budges and rosy pink flowers in early spring.

Redbud

Redbud

Vetch ‘Vivica’ is comprised of several species of plants in the pea family. Like other legumes, they add enriching nitrogen to the soil.

Wild radish ‘Raphanus sativus’ This exotic biennial (takes two years to complete its biological life cycle) of the Mustard Family is from southern Asia and can reach 3 feet in height and has a taproot somewhat like that of a radish with a distinctive radish odor and taste.

Vetch

Vetch

Wild radish

Wild radish

Photo Source: pixaby.com; vetch; mugwort; wild radish; and redbud.

Exploring Outdoors at Oxbow Nature Observation Area in Reno

There are many wonderful places to visit in the Reno/Sparks area where you can get outdoors and learn about nature. One of our favorite locations is the Oxbow Nature Observation Area, 3100 Dickerson Road, Reno, Nevada. Located just west of downtown Reno, Oxbow is one of our field sites for Classrooms Unleashed.

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In a 1-hour visit, you’ll be able to see some amazing wildlife and enjoy the fresh air safely and at a distance from other guests. It is a 0.8-mile trail loop within 22-acres of nature study area. Also, it’s good for all skill levels and accessible year-round.

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The park is open daily from 8 am until sundown; it is best to visit the park early in the day to avoid crowds. Please note there are no dogs allowed, and it is easy to access with plenty of on-site parking. As you start the trail, take note of the signs at the trailhead as they explain why the park is called Oxbow and some of the wildlife you might see.

Picnic area located at the end of the trail.

Picnic area located at the end of the trail.

As you travel down the trail, you will quickly come to a fork in the road that gives you three options: left toward the main trail; right toward a nice observation of the oxbow — a U-shaped curve in the Truckee River; or up, which leads you to an observation deck. We recommend that you start with the trail leading “up” as it gives you a bird’s eye view of the park. Speaking of birds, Oxbow is a wonderful place to go for bird observation. This year alone, 76 different species of birds have been observed at the park, making it a great destination to be introduced to animal observation. You might also see a wide variety of squirrels, snakes, and even deer.

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After the stop at the observation deck, you will pass by the Truckee River, a great place to make even more observations! The rest of the trail is linear and should be easy for you to navigate. You will know you have reached the end of the trail when you reach the picnic area (see photo), which is a great place to sit down, eat a snack, and enjoy the nature around you.

Take a moment at the picnic area to sit still for a moment and see what you can observe. On your way back to the parking area, make sure to stop by the small deck by the river as it boasts a beautiful and expansive view.  

Greetings From Our Summer Camp Counselors (Video)

Hello, summer campers! This video (7:53 minutes) is specifically for you with a message from our past and future summer camp staff Grizzly Creek Ranch. We miss you and can’t wait to see you again soon.

How many references of things do you see or hear in the video, that are unique to Sierra Nevada Journeys? A couple of hints to get you started: gaga ball; and a glass of water before juice. What else?

Also, scroll down on this story to learn how to send a message to one of our counselors.

Look for messages in the video from team members including:

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  • Angie, summer and specialty camps manager

  • Sonic Boom, 2019 counselor

  • David, 2019 counselor

  • Michael, 2019/20 counselor

  • Lucas, 2019 counselor

  • Finn, 2019/20 counselor

  • Maddy, 2019 counselor

  • Babushka Mike, 2019/20 counselor

  • Leah, 2019/20 counselor

  • Jon, 2019 counselor

  • Krissy, education and curriculum specialist

  • Ali, outdoor science instructor

  • Amber, outdoor science instructor

  • Haley, outdoor science instructor

  • Alex, 2020 counselor

  • Nicole, 2020 counselor

  • Justin, 2020 counselor

  • Lauryn, 2019/20 counselor

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Write a Letter or Send Us an Email

With permission from your parent, we’d love to hear from our summer campers. Here’s how to write us a letter or send an email to us or one of your favorite camp counselors.

BY MAIL:
Counselor’s Name
c/o Sierra Nevada Journeys
5900 Grizzly Road
Portola, CA  96122

BY EMAIL:
snjcamps@sierranevadajourneys.org

Go Bananas! Song Will be Stuck in Your Brain All Summer

Lauren wants to remind you to practice your “Go Bananas!” dance moves so you’re ready for Summer Camp 2021. Here’s a video featuring dancing bananas for some ideas to get your groove on.

Source:

Go Bananas! video by Scratch Garden.

Ensuring Educational Equity, Access and Inclusion

Yesterday, those of us at Sierra Nevada Journeys paused our in outreach to make space to listen, learn, and stand alongside the black community in sadness, solidarity, and hope. 

Image from embracerace.org’s article “31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance”

Image from embracerace.org’s article “31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance”

Sierra Nevada Journeys works to ensure educational equity, accessibility, and inclusion by focusing on reaching youth from historically marginalized communities. We know that the key to effective learning is feeling safe, and as such, Sierra Nevada Journeys condemns systematic racism that compromises the safety of so many people of color. The death of Mr. George Floyd is the latest example that highlights the disparity in the treatment of people of color in our society, played out for young people of color regularly in school and outdoor spaces. 

We are committed to implementing more culturally relevant programs, wider partnerships with historically marginalized communities, and broader diversity of staff reflective of the communities we serve. The tragic events of the last week have reminded us of the need to listen, gather advice, and work to apply our efforts where they will best serve the youth of the communities we serve. 

We are thankful to partners leading Equity and Inclusion work with youth and the outdoors, recognizing the challenges facing youth from historically marginalized communities at camps, in nature, in STEM classrooms and in STEM careers. We are learning from them and from the youth we serve, and we encourage all of our stakeholders to please get involved in your own way to work toward eliminating racism for the benefit of all youth in our community.

We recommend these resources for parents to guide discussions with your children about racism and racialized violence:

100 Days of Birds

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by Gabrielle Tribelli

Recently, a friend shared with me The 100 Day Project: an art project for individuals to explore creativity independently and generate new inspiration daily for 100 days. It’s a personal project, but also has a hugely supportive community behind it as people tag #The100DayProject to their daily creations online. So I thought I’d give it a try--what’s 100 days anyway? It can’t be that long …

I’m on day 22, and although I have a lot of time to go, I’ve made plenty of new findings and new friends. Bird friends!

I recently moved to Portola, California as a science instructor with Sierra Nevada Journeys at Grizzly Creek Ranch and I’ve become more aware of the incredible wildlife around me — both familiar and unfamiliar. I keep getting this feeling of, I want to know more; I need to know more. My fellow scientists are so intelligent — each bringing their own knowledge of flora (plants), fauna (animals), and natural science — that I am constantly inspired by them to gain more knowledge. One area of fauna, or animals, that I want to improve my knowledge of are birds. So I thought, why not use my love for painting and art to learn about the birds around me in a way that seems tangible for me. I decided my personal project is to watercolor one bird a day.

One morning my housemates and I awoke quietly--the loudest sound coming from the birch tree in the backyard, covered in yellow sprinkles. The yellow sprinkles were Townsend’s Warblers tickling our ears with their sweet-pitched songs. I painted my first bird that day. Twenty-two days have gone by since, and my bird-a-day project has opened my eyes wider to the sky, the trees, and the ground--searching both for birds that I know of already as well as those I’d like to discover. I think I hear a lot more these days too. My awareness of my natural surroundings has shown improvement in just two weeks.

One thing I’d love to share from my experience is that creativity is not an interest separate from the natural environment. I believe nature is the most creative pioneer of all, and I think everyone is capable of recycling its endless inspiration. Just listen to the birds’ songs.

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- Gabrielle Tribelli is an outdoor science instructor with Sierra Nevada Journeys and when she is not teaching students, she is on her way to becoming a world-renown watercolor artist.

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Read more about The 100 Day Project.

COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights the Need for Science Literacy

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While John Adams was defending the lives of British soldiers at the time, he could very well have said the same thing about science.

As COVID-19 continues to touch every part of life around the globe, it is vitally important that we understand the science of our new realities and have an informed citizenry. Never before in modern times have we seen such an overwhelming demonstration of the need for science literacy.

We are battling a deadly pandemic — and we will ultimately win this fight because of those working overtime in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) based careers. Innovation through STEM is informing our responses to COVID-19. Some examples include: 3-D printing of personal protection equipment, distilleries pivoting to produce hand sanitizer, and research and development of more than 100 vaccine candidates.

We’ve also seen our regional, state and local leaders unite behind science to help stop the spread of infection and flatten the curve. Physical distancing, protective face coverings and quarantine are all ways to fight a deadly virus without a cure or vaccine. And we know this because of the scientists who identified the virus, understood its transmission, calculated its contagiousness, are researching treatments, and potentially, a ground-breaking vaccine. The science of this pandemic has already saved an immeasurable number of lives and will continue to save many more.

And when the curve drops and restrictions are lifted, the need for cutting-edge research and science education will be crucial in how we respond to future threats. Science-literate next generations could literally save us. And our planet. Investing today will pave the way for tomorrow’s triumphs.

Long before we were staying home because of COVID-19, The Discovery, Immunize Nevada and Sierra Nevada Journeys were cultivating science literacy in our community, collectively through our in-person, online, school and outdoor-based programs.

These are scary times. And with everything changing so fast, it can be tough to make sense of it all. But one thing remains certain: the need for science education. Science is crucial in fighting and controlling the spread of disease. That’s why The Discovery exists; we’re here to inspire the next generation of scientists, researchers and innovators who will help us overcome the challenges like what we’re facing today.

Keeping our distance from misinformation is easier said than done, and Immunize Nevada continues to be a trusted resource, guiding Nevadans with credible, evidence-based facts and resources. As rapidly as this virus has spread, misinformation has spread faster, causing the WHO to coin it an “infodemic.” We can all stop the spread by fact-checking, listening to credible experts and dispelling and debunking alternative theories, dangerous cures and myths. Try out your fact-checking skills with the News Literacy Project at newslit.org/coronavirus and if you have distance learners, their Checkology curriculum is now available for free.

Sierra Nevada Journeys serves two-thirds of the elementary schools across northwest Nevada with STEM education annually. Our educators have worked to transition our in-person programs to support digital learning, and they are planning to serve 15,000 students this spring to support the region’s move to distance learning. In a time when our next generation will be relied upon to solve the next pandemic, taking a six-month leave of absence on science education is not an option.

Right now, we may not be able to serve our community the way you’re used to, but we’re still here and we are still serving you! Science matters and we can see it in the care that our loved ones receive, in the skill of our health care providers and in every aspect of our economic engines. Be a champion for science and in the meantime, stay safe and healthy, take care of each other, and never stop learning!

This opinion column, originally published in the Reno Gazette Journal on May 9, 2020, was submitted by Mat Sinclair, President/CEO of The Discovery; Heidi Parker, Executive Director of Immunize Nevada; and Eaton Dunkelberger, CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys.

Think Like an Engineer Webinar - Part 1 & 2

Discipline: Engineering
Age Range: 7+
Estimated Time: 60 minutes for each webinar
What You Need: Part 1 - 2 pieces of paper; a pen or pencil; two cups of the same size; 15-20 pennies (preferred) or other small objects (paperclips, almonds, beads, etc.)
Part 2 - 8 pieces of paper; tape; two plastic bins or containers of the same height; small objects for weights (blocks, small plastic building bricks, coins, etc.); a pen or pencil

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Engineers are problem solvers! In this interactive webinar, learn how engineers use math, science, and a special process to design solutions to real-world problems!

Each webinar will take you through the engineering design process in order to solve a problem. Listen to a story and use hands-on science to solve how to cross the river.

Think Like an Engineer Part 1 - 60 Minutes

Think Like an Engineer Part 2 - 60 Minutes

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