​Preparing Our Teen Teachers

 THE SOUTH DAKOTA YOUTH FOUNDATION, INC. PROVIDES TEEN TEACHERS WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Training in Experiential Learning and Classroom Management
• Ready to Use Lesson Plans and Materials

​Curriculum
​

LESSON OVERVIEW
All lesson materials provided by the SD Youth Foundation are designed with the Experiential Learning Model. Lessons feature a consistent format across the board. Each lesson includes:

• Lesson at a Glance
• Materials and Supplies
• Lesson Plan

Teen Teachers receive training in working with young students, lesson structure, and content at the required training summit.

​EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

-Confucius adaptation

This is the essence of Experiential Learning.  Students 'experience' lesson content. and learn to apply it and then reflect on its role in their daily life. The SD Youth Foundation believes Experiential Learning is highly effective and utilizes it as an intricate part of the Teen Teacher program.  All lesson resources for 'Character Counts!' and' Healthy YOUth' are designed with Experiential Learning.

​Lesson Materials
​

​CHARACTER COUNTS!® 
The South Dakota Youth Foundation is a member of the Character Counts! Coalition. Character Counts! focuses on Six Pillars of Character® . Lessons for each are included in the curriculum.
The Six Pillars of Character are:

• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship

*The National CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative is headquartered at The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University. CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Six Pillars of Character® are trademarks of the Josephson Institute. CHARACTER COUNTS! was founded by Michael Josephson ​through the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics. For more information about the CHARACTER COUNTS! framework please visit:  charactercounts.org/

HEALTHY YOUTH
The Healthy YOUth curriculum was driven by priorities identified by the Healthy Youth Council. The Council was a statewide group of teens who identified top issues to address to foster a healthy lifestyle.
​
The curriculum continues to evolve and address areas of:

• Nutrition
• Physical Activity
• Snacking
• Empathy
• Positive Attitude/Choices