The Resilience Project
Students today need more than academics—they need emotional tools to thrive.
The Resilience Project is a developmentally tailored Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum build for classrooms, after-school programs, and youth-serving organizations. It is designed to help elementary and middle school-aged students recognize, understand, and manage their emotions while developing resilience and empathy. This program supports school SEL framework and aligns with Indiana’s Social-Emotional Learning Competencies. It empowers students to navigate elementary and middle school transitions, build self-awareness, and strengthen peer relationships.
Elementary: Feelings Foundations
Young students learn to:
- Identify and name core emotions
- Recognize body clues connected to feelings
- Understand that all feelings are valid
- Use calming tools for big emotions
- Talk to trusted adults
- Practice growth mindset
- Show empathy to friends
Students leave knowing: “My feelings matter. I have tools. I can try again.”
Middle School: Emotional Regulation and Resilience
These students learn to:
- Expand emotional vocabulary
- Recognize physical signs of stress and overwhelm
- Pause > Name it > Choose a Response
- Build personal regulation toolkits
- Practice growth mindset
- Develop empathy and kindness
- Create a personal resilience action plan
Students leave understanding: “My emotions are information. I can manage them. I can bounce back.”
What Makes This Different?
- Interactive and hands-on
- Chant-based memory tools
- Real-life application activities
- Reflection-based growth tracking
- Developmentally appropriate progression
- Celebration of student voice and strengths
Questions?
Contact Fletcher Elliot, MCCOY’s Training and Development Director, at fletcher.elliot@mccoyouth.org.
Implementation Options
- Classroom series (6 – 8 lessons)
- Weekly SEL block
- After-school programming
- Summer enrichment
- Small group intervention
- District-wide SEL integration