What is a Mindscape?
Mindscapes (mindset + landscapes) are mental destinations students explore and inhabit. Each Mindscape is visually represented by an element in nature and is designed to evoke a different impression or experience tied to SEL skills. Click through the carousel to take a brief tour of each Mindscape with authors Pam Allyn and Dr. Ernest Morrell.
How Mindscapes Works
Mindscapes encourages experience-driven learning that helps students apply self-awareness to their academic learning process. Students not only find joy in uncovering “aha” moments of discovery, but also develop the ability to recognize frustration, disappointment, or stress that can sometimes inhibit their progress.
By adopting a “shared language” that extends from the classroom throughout the school day and into the home, students learn how to express their frustration (or concerns, or fear), along with the ability to readjust their mindset. By revisiting a familiar Mindscape or accessing a learned tactic, students are opening up themselves to “aha” moments of discovery.
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What is a Mindscape?
Mindscapes (mindset + landscapes) are mental destinations students explore and inhabit. Each Mindscape is visually represented by an element in nature and is designed to evoke a different impression or experience tied to SEL skills. Click through the carousel to take a brief tour of each Mindscape with authors Pam Allyn and Dr. Ernest Morrell.
Meet the Mindscapes
Hear from the authors on Sunrise.
Hear from the authors on Pond.
Hear from the authors on Lightning.
Hear from the authors on Mountain.
Hear from the authors on Rainfall.
Hear from the authors on Forest.
How Mindscapes Works
Mindscapes encourages experience-driven learning that helps students apply self-awareness to their academic learning process. Students not only find joy in uncovering “aha” moments of discovery, but also develop the ability to recognize frustration, disappointment, or stress that can sometimes inhibit their progress.
By adopting a “shared language” that extends from the classroom throughout the school day and into the home, students learn how to express their frustration (or concerns, or fear), along with the ability to readjust their mindset. By revisiting a familiar Mindscape or accessing a learned tactic, students are opening up themselves to “aha” moments of discovery.
Learn, Practice, and Reflect on Process
Mindscapes isn’t just a curriculum to be implemented in the classroom … it’s way of thinking designed to be integrated throughout the day!
Mindscapes focuses on establishing a learning process vs. internalizing specific content.
Connecting Academic Learning & SEL Core Competencies
The benefits of developing CASEL competencies and SEL subskills for academic learning are visible in any successful classroom. Research suggests students are more likely to open themselves up to learning—and developing foundational skills—when they feel confident, positive, and in control of their learning process and mindset.
What Do We Mean by Academic Learning?
The term “academic learning” encompasses the skills, vocabulary, concepts, and applications that are traditionally acquired through a school setting or curriculum.
What Are CASEL Competencies?
Each Mindscape focuses on two of the five SEL competencies (CASEL 5).
Visit the Research page to learn more about CASEL and the CASEL 5.
Sharing the Learning Journey
Mindscapes employs a Self—Community—World continuum that inspires students not only to recognize their identity as learners, but also to realize how their daily participation impacts the school and home communities where they live—and thrive!
In addition to introducing a shared language, Mindscapes emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration for group and individual success. Teachers are invited to be a part of the journey, too! With the Teacher Journal, authors Allyn and Morrell have created a place for educators to be inspired as they learn alongside their students. It’s an opportunity to take much-needed time for reflection on personal strengths, goals, and progress.
Building the School-Home Connection
A strong school-home connection is essential for any successful SEL initiative. Mindscapes invites families to be a part of the learning journey, with opportunities to embrace the common language introduced in the curriculum at home. Consistent practice reinforces facility with language and concepts and builds students’ confidence.
Ready to get hands on? Follow the Action path to see Mindscapes at work!
Mindscapes: SEL in Practice!
Mindscapes: Becoming Our Best Selves Classroom Packages include everything needed to introduce daily, strengths-based SEL instruction tied to academic skills development.
Explore an online sample
OR
Click on an individual component below to learn how each contributes to the instruction!
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Teacher Components
Teacher Guide
Print guides (K–2 or 3–5) provide the foundation for building a vibrant classroom community that is successful, sustainable, and grounded in empathy.
Users will find introductory lessons for each Mindscape plus tips for assessing growth, supporting a diverse community of learners, and establishing a strong school-home connection.
Annotated Lesson Sample
Activity Cards
Cards provide ample opportunities to learn and practice the core skills in each Mindscape through positive, joyful experiences.
Annotated Activity Card Sample
Visit the Materials page for more sample options.
Classroom Posters
Posters serve as a visual reminder of each Mindscape and help establish context with background information and shared language. An overview poster shows all the Mindscapes together.
Poster Sample
Teacher Journal
In addition to providing a safe space to record personal goals, reflection, and progress, the Teacher Journal provides multiple opportunities to record and celebrate student—and community—growth.
Annotated Teacher Journal Sample
Visit the Materials page for more sample options.
Plush Mascot
Ladybug (K-2) or Frog (3–5)
Student Components
Student Notebook
Notebooks (English and Spanish) empower students to embrace their learning and provide an important connection to continued learning at home. The inside pocket is a special place where students can store Mindscapes keepsakes.
Annotated Notebook Page Sample
Visit the Materials page for more sample options.
Online / Digital Components
Multimedia Materials
Visual Resource Files
Provide context for each Mindscape with ready-to-use visual resource files. Resources include student-facing photos, videos, and lesson files.
Teaching Support Videos
Professional development videos and overview videos from the authors help teachers get started with Mindscapes! See what implementation looks like in grade 2 English classrooms and a grades 3–4 Spanish classroom.
Visit the Resources page to watch demonstration videos.
Support Materials
eTeacher Guide and Printables
In addition to a digital version of the Teacher Guide, portal resources include digital/printable versions of the print Activity Cards plus English and Spanish materials.
Highlights for Children stories and articles
A rich selection of SEL-themed stories and articles from Highlights and High Five magazines are available for sharing with students.
Getting Started With Strengths-Based SEL
Begin your adventure with the 12 introductory lessons in the Teacher Guide to orient students to each Mindscape. Activity Cards are at the heart of Mindscapes daily instruction. There are enough cards (150 total, 25 per Mindscape) to complete four to five activities per week in 10 to 15 minutes per day.
Flexible Instructional Pathway
Educators know their students best, so Mindscapes provides different pathways for instruction based on teacher choice or classroom climate. Once you have completed the 12 introductory lessons you can choose a direction that best meets your needs for the week or the day!
Hover over each module for a brief overview of the instructional path.
Enhance, Extend, Assess
Mindscapes is designed to welcome a diverse community of learners. The Teacher Guide provides in-depth suggestions for tailoring instruction to be inclusive for all students, and to explore the Self—Community—World continuum to encourage growth at all times!
School to Home
A strong school–home connection is essential for any successful SEL initiative. Mindscapes invites families to be a part of the learning journey, with opportunities to keep up with students’ academic and social growth and embrace the common language introduced in the curriculum at home. Consistent practice reinforces facility with language and concepts and builds students’ confidence.
Ideas for Differentiation
Educators will find a wealth of suggestions for addressing diverse student needs in the Teacher Guide. The emphasis on oral language development through guided conversations, student interaction, and pedagogical scaffolds benefits all learners and is especially beneficial for multilingual students.
Assessment
Mindscapes uses an observational model to measure student growth. The Teacher Guide includes suggestions for ways to note student learning.
In addition, the Teacher Journal provides multiple opportunities to celebrate student—and teacher!—growth. Timely prompts remind educators to track progress periodically.
Instruction in Action
Watch a brief video of Mindscapes at work in a real classroom. Additional demonstration videos are available on the Resources page.
Instruction in Action
Ready to think big picture? Follow the Philosophy path to learn about the Mindscapes model.
Take the First Step
Are you ready to begin your Mindscapes journey? Take the first step toward adopting a vibrant, strengths-based approach to SEL for your school community.
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