New Horizons Facilitator Guide Nuevos Horizontes
Guía para el Facilitador de Terapia de Grupo
Un currículo de 10 semanas basado en el trauma para estudiantes recién llegados (Grados 9-12). Centrado en el ajuste cultural, la resiliencia y el bienestar emocional.
Público Objetivo
Recién llegados (Grados 9-12)
Duración de la Sesión
45-60 Minutos
Resumen del Currículo
01
Puerta de Llegada
Establecimiento de seguridad, normas grupales y la actividad "De dónde soy".
02
Mapeo de Trayectorias
Narrativa visual de la experiencia migratoria desde una perspectiva informada por el trauma.
03
Brújula Cultural
Exploración de la identidad dual y el "puente" entre dos mundos.
04
Secretos Escolares
Navegación por el sistema escolar estadounidense y defensa de las necesidades propias.
05
Corazones Distantes
Manejo de la separación familiar, la pérdida ambigua y la nostalgia por el hogar.
06
Aguas Tranquilas
Comprensión de la ansiedad, el sistema nervioso y herramientas de conexión con la tierra.
07
Encontrando la Luz
Abordaje de los síntomas de depresión e identificación de pequeñas alegrías diarias.
08
La Red de la Aldea
Identificación de recursos escolares y comunitarios para un apoyo integral.
09
Escudo de Poder Interior
Replanteamiento del viaje como resiliencia y poder personal.
10
El Camino por Delante
Graduación, establecimiento de metas futuras y mantenimiento de conexiones.
Sesión 01
Puerta de Llegada
Enfoque
Seguridad y Conexión
Objetivos
Establecer la confidencialidad y las normas del grupo.
Ayudar a que los estudiantes se sientan vistos y bienvenidos.
Introducir el concepto del viaje de "Nuevos Horizontes".
Agenda y Guiones
Dinámica de inicio: El Mapa de Mí (10 min)
"Bienvenidos a Nuevos Horizontes. Cada uno de ustedes ha recorrido un largo camino para estar aquí, no solo en millas, sino en experiencias. Hoy, comenzamos nuestro propio mapa juntos".
Establecimiento de Normas (10 min)
Crear reglas de forma colaborativa. Enfatizar: Lo que se dice aquí se queda aquí. Respeto por todos los idiomas. Ningún juicio sobre las experiencias.
Actividad Principal: Dónde Estoy (20 min)
Los estudiantes comparten una cosa que extrañan de su hogar y una cosa que les da curiosidad de su nuevo hogar. El facilitador valida tanto el sentimiento de duelo como el de entusiasmo.
Cierre: Altos y Bajos (5 min)
"Todo viaje tiene cumbres de montañas y valles. Hoy vimos nuestras primeras cumbres. Nos vemos la próxima semana".
Sesión 05
Corazones Distantes
Enfoque
Separación Familiar
Nota sobre el Enfoque en el Trauma
La separación de la familia suele ser la principal fuente de trauma para los recién llegados. Algunos estudiantes pueden estar en una situación de "pérdida ambigua", sin saber si volverán a ver a su familia. Valide que es normal sentirse "mitad aquí, mitad allá".
Guion del Facilitador
"A veces sentimos que nuestros corazones están en dos lugares a la vez. Es posible que nos sintamos culpables por disfrutar de una comida aquí cuando nuestra familia está en casa. Es posible que nos sintamos enojados de estar aquí y que ellos no lo estén. En este grupo, guardamos un espacio para ambos lados de su corazón".
Actividad: El Hilo del Corazón
Los estudiantes usan lana roja o bolígrafos para trazar líneas desde su ubicación actual hasta donde se encuentra su familia en un mapa. Escriben un mensaje que enviarían si la distancia no existiera.
New Horizons Group Slides New Horizons
Finding our way, together.
Session 01: The Arrival Gate
Our Group Agreements
Safe Space
What is said here, stays here. We protect each other's stories.
Respect
We listen when others speak. No judgment on experiences or languages.
Speak Your Truth
It's okay to use your first language or ask for words you don't know.
It's Okay to Pass
You don't have to share anything you aren't ready to share.
Holding Two Places
Where I'm From
Roots, family, history
The Bridge
Where I Am
New dreams, new school
"It is normal to feel like your heart is in two places at once."
Calm Waters
Managing the storm inside
The Body's Alarm
Heart beating fast
Tight chest or stomach
Shaky hands
Trouble sleeping
Try This Now:
5-4-3-2-1 Grounding
5 things you see
4 things you feel
3 things you hear
2 things you smell
1 thing you taste
New Horizons Student Journal PERSONAL JOURNAL / PRIVATE
New Horizons
My Journey, My Voice, My Future
My Name
Today's Date
"Every journey begins with a single step. This book is a safe place for your thoughts, your memories, and your dreams as you build your new life."
Week 01: Arrival Gate
New Horizons Journal
Where I'm From
Write or draw three things you want the group to know about your home country or culture.
First Impressions
What was one thing that surprised you most about this new school or country?
Weekly Goal
One small thing I will do this week to feel more comfortable at school:
Week 05: Distant Hearts
New Horizons Journal
The Bridge to Home
Who is someone you miss back home? If you could tell them one thing about your life here today, what would it be?
Coping with "Longing"
When I miss my family or home country, I can...
Listen to music from home
Cook or eat a familiar food
Look at photos or write a letter
Talk to a friend who understands
One Word
Write one word that describes how you feel when you think of your home country today.
?
Mapping Journeys Facilitator Guide Session 02
Mapping Journeys
Focus
Migration Narratives
Learning Objectives
Identify key moments in the student's migration journey.
Acknowledge the mixed emotions (grief, hope, fear) associated with moving.
Normalize the concept of "cultural bereavement."
Facilitator Script & Activity
Introduction (5 mins)
"Last week we arrived at the gate. Today, we look back at the map of how we got here. Every journey is different, and every journey is valid."
Activity: The Life Map (30 mins)
Provide students with the "Life Map" worksheet. Ask them to draw a path from their birthplace to this room. Encourage them to add 'landmarks' for big changes: a new school, a goodbye, the first plane ride, the first time they felt safe.
Sharing Circle (15 mins)
"You don't have to share the whole map. Just point to one landmark that you are proud of."
Trauma-Informed Strategy
Migration stories can trigger grief. If a student becomes distressed, focus on "Grounding to the Present." Remind them they are safe in this room *now*.
Mapping Journeys Worksheet Week 02: Mapping Journeys
New Horizons Journal
The Life Map
Draw your journey from your birthplace to where you are today. Add landmarks for big memories (good or hard).
START: Birthplace
FINISH: Today
A Landmark of Strength
Pick one landmark on your map where you felt strong. Why?
Mapping Journeys Slides Mapping Journeys
Looking back to move forward.
Every Path is Unique
Transition
The physical act of moving and changing environments.
Grief
The natural feeling of missing what we left behind.
Hope
The light that guided us to start a new chapter.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
Today we mark our steps. Think of one time you were brave during your journey.
Culture Compass Facilitator Guide Session 03
Culture Compass
Focus
Identity & Acculturation
Objectives
Define "culture" beyond food and flags.
Explore the feeling of having a dual identity.
Identify strengths from both home and host cultures.
The Bicultural Bridge
"Sometimes we feel like we are 50% from home and 50% from here. But what if we are 100% of both? You are the bridge."
Activity: Cultural Value Sort (20 mins)
Students list values or traditions they love from home and things they are starting to enjoy here. Use the worksheet to visualize this balance.
Discussion: Code-Switching (15 mins)
"Do you act differently at home than at school? That's called a superpower. You know how to navigate two different worlds."
Culture Compass Worksheet Week 03: Culture Compass
New Horizons Journal
The Bicultural Bridge
Values & Traditions from HOME
ME
Values & Traditions HERE
I hold onto these:
I am adding these:
A "Superpower" I have from my culture: Culture Compass Slides Culture Compass
Navigating two worlds at the same time.
What is Culture?
The Surface: Food, Music, Clothes
The Deep: Values, Manners, Family
"Culture is the lens through which we see the world."
The Bridge Identity
"I am not just from one place. I am the connection between two places. That is my strength."
Home Roots
New Growth
School Secrets Facilitator Guide Session 04
School Secrets
Focus
School Navigation
Objectives
Demystify the American high school system (credits, GPA, counselors).
Help students identify who they can ask for help.
Practice "Help-Seeking" scripts for language barriers.
Activity: The Helping Map
"This building is a maze. Today, we find the people who hold the keys."
Who to Ask?
Counselors (Schedules, Feelings)
ESL Teachers (Language, Homework)
Nurse (Feeling Sick)
Office (Attendance, IDs)
Help Scripts
"I don't understand the question. Can you explain it differently?"
"Can I use my translator for this part?"
School Secrets Worksheet Week 04: School Secrets
New Horizons Journal
The Help Network
Fill in the names of the people in your school who can help you with these things.
Situation Person / Office Location (Room #) Changing my schedule
|
| Feeling overwhelmed |
|
|
| I don't understand my homework |
|
|
My Power Scripts
If I need help and I'm nervous, I can say:
"Excuse me, can you help me find room _______?"
"I need an interpreter for ________ language, please."
Write your own: ________________________________
School Secrets Slides School Secrets
Cracking the code of high school.
The Helper Team
Counselor
Classes, college, stress, or just needing a safe place to talk.
ESL Specialist
Language support and making sure you have what you need for class.
Secret Tip:
"Asking for help is a sign of intelligence and strength, not a sign of weakness."
Distant Hearts Facilitator Guide Session 05
Distant Hearts
Focus
Family Separation & Loss
Important Perspective
Many newcomer students are grieving family members still in their home country. This session provides a container for that longing without forcing "closure."
Facilitator Script
"Our hearts are like radio stations. Sometimes we are tuned to our life here, but sometimes we pick up signals from home. It's okay to feel 'half-here' today."
The Comfort Tool (15 mins)
What are the smells, sounds, or tastes that connect you to your family? If we can't be with them, how can we bring their 'energy' into our day?
Closing (5 mins)
"We honor the people we miss. We carry them in our strengths today."
Distant Hearts Worksheet Week 05: Distant Hearts
New Horizons Journal
Connecting through Senses
When I miss my family or my home, these things help me feel close to them again.
A Song or Sound
A Taste or Smell
The Heart Circle
In the circle below, draw or write one strength your family gave you that you use every day here at school (e.g., hard work, kindness, humor).
"The strength of my family in me is..."
Distant Hearts Slides Distant Hearts
Honoring our families and ourselves.
"Distance is just a test of how far love can travel."
Ambiguous Loss
It is normal to feel sad, angry, or confused when we can't be with the people we love most.
Inner Strength
Your family's love is a tool you carry inside you every day.
Calm Waters Facilitator Guide Session 06
Calm Waters
Focus
Anxiety & Grounding
Objectives
Identify how anxiety feels in the body (the "Body Alarm").
Teach practical 4-7-8 breathing and 5-4-3-2-1 grounding.
Explain the Window of Tolerance.
Facilitator Script: The Alarm System
"Your brain is like a security guard. Sometimes, after a long journey or hard times, the guard gets extra nervous. It sets off the alarm even when there is no danger. That's anxiety. Today, we learn how to tell the guard 'it's okay, we are safe.'"
Activity 1: Body Scanning (15 mins)
Use the worksheet to color in where students feel 'bubbles' or 'tightness' when they are stressed.
Activity 2: The Anchor (20 mins)
Practice 5-4-3-2-1. Ask: "What is one thing you can see right now that makes you feel calm?"
Calm Waters Worksheet Week 06: Calm Waters
New Horizons Journal
Where is the Alarm?
Color in the parts of the body where you feel stress or anxiety (tight chest, shaky hands, stomach ache, etc.).
My Grounding Anchor
When I feel the "Body Alarm" going off at school, I will try:
5-4-3-2-1 Technique
Deep "Belly" Breathing
Holding a Cold Bottle
Safe Place Visualization
Calm Waters Slides Calm Waters
Taming the storm of anxiety.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Method
5
See
4
Touch
3
Hear
2
Smell
1
Taste
"Grounding brings your mind back to where your body is: right here, right now."
Finding Light Facilitator Guide Session 07
Finding Light
Focus
Coping with Depression
Objectives
Normalize feelings of sadness and lack of motivation (depression).
Introduce the concept of "Behavioral Activation" (doing small things to feel better).
Identify "Light Sources" (personal joys).
The "Heavy Blanket" Script
"Sometimes sadness feels like a heavy blanket. It makes it hard to get out of bed or care about school. When we are newcomers, this blanket can feel even heavier. Today, we talk about how to lift one corner of that blanket at a time."
Activity: Lifting the Blanket (20 mins)
Students brainstorm 3 tiny activities that take less than 5 minutes but make them feel slightly 'brighter' (e.g., splashing cold water, texting a friend, looking at a plant).
Finding Light Worksheet Week 07: Finding Light
New Horizons Journal
Lifting the Heavy Blanket
When I feel very sad or have no energy, what are 3 "tiny actions" I can take to help myself?
01
02
03
Small Daily Joys
Draw or write one thing that made you smile this week, no matter how small.
Finding Light Slides Finding Light
Moving through the heavy days.
Lifting the "Heavy Blanket"
"When we have no energy, we don't need a big plan. We just need one small step."
Depression is not your fault. It is a reaction to high stress and big changes.
Behavioral Activation
Do the action first, the feeling will follow.
Glimmers
Small moments of peace that remind us of hope.
The Village Network Facilitator Guide Session 08
The Village Network
Focus
Community & Resource Mapping
Objectives
Identify community resources (food banks, clinics, legal aid).
Build a personal "Support Map."
Practice asking for help outside of school.
"It takes a village to raise a child, and a network to sustain a newcomer."
Activity: Support Mapping (30 mins)
Give students the "Support Map" worksheet. They write the names of organizations or people in 4 categories: Health, Food/Necessities, Language/Legal, and Emotional Support.
The Village Network Worksheet Week 08: The Village Network
New Horizons Journal
My Support Map
Write the names of people or places in our community that can help with these areas.
Health & Wellness
Food & Clothing
Language / Legal Help
Fun & Friends The Village Network Slides The Village Network
Building our community of support.
Who's In Your Circle?
YOU
"Asking for help is the ultimate survival skill."
In our new country, we don't have to do it alone. There are people and places dedicated to your success.
Homework Goal:
"Identify one new place in the city you want to visit this month."
Power Within Shield Facilitator Guide Session 09
Power Within Shield
Focus
Consolidating Resilience
Objectives
Reframe the migration journey as a source of strength (post-traumatic growth).
Identify personal "Shield" attributes.
Synthesize all coping skills learned so far.
The Resilience Shield
"You have survived a 100% of your hardest days. That makes you an expert in resilience. Today, we build a shield that shows all the tools you carry."
Activity: The Power Shield (30 mins)
Students draw a shield divided into 4 parts: My Languages, My Family's Strength, My Coping Skills, My Dreams.
Power Within Shield Worksheet Week 09: Power Within
New Horizons Journal
The Resilience Shield
Fill in each section of your shield with the strengths you carry.
My Languages
Family Roots
Coping Skills
My Dreams
"I am not a victim of my story. I am the hero of my journey."
Power Within Shield Slides Power Within
Your journey is your strength.
The Resilience Reframe
Old Story:
"Moving was too hard, I lost everything, I don't fit in here."
New Power Story:
"I survived a massive change. I speak multiple languages. I am adaptable, brave, and I have a perspective that others don't."
You are the Shield.
The Road Ahead Facilitator Guide Session 10
The Road Ahead
Focus
Celebration & Graduation
Objectives
Celebrate completion of the group.
Set 3 long-term goals (1 year from now).
Facilitate a positive goodbye/closing ritual.
Graduation Ritual
"We started at the gate, and today we look at the road ahead. You have all become mapmakers of your own lives. Before we leave, let's acknowledge one thing we learned from each other."
Closing Activity: Affirmation Circle (20 mins)
Each student shares one strength they saw in the person to their left during these 10 weeks.
The Road Ahead Worksheet Week 10: The Road Ahead
New Horizons Journal
Looking Into the Future
Imagine yourself one year from today. What are three things you want to have achieved or be doing?
A Message to My Future Self
Write one thing you want to remember from our group sessions.
The Road Ahead Slides The Road Ahead
New Horizons Graduation.
We Have Arrived... And We Are Just Beginning
Milestone
"I completed 10 weeks of growth."
Community
"I have a group of friends who understand me."
Vision
"I have the tools to map my future."
Congratulations, New Horizon Mapmakers!