Middle School Social & Emotional Health 1

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Course Overview

This is the first level in the middle school pathway focused on social development and emotional well being.  This course takes students on a journey of discovering their own personal strengths and potential while helping them develop skills that will empower them to lead vibrant, productive, happy lives. This course focuses on self-awareness, self-control, and self-direction, and the value of setting realistic goals to accomplish personal change in their lives. Students explore the beauty in their own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others. They are guided to understand that the attitudes they choose have a big impact on what they can accomplish in life, their happiness, and the impact they have on those around them.

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Sample Lesson - Taking Initiative

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

Part 1 Students begin the Social Emotional Learning - Middle School course, by examining their own personal attributes and why it is critical that they hold to their core ideals. Students explore concepts like how their decisions control what their lives will be, the need to shoulder responsibilities as they grow older, and the importance of limiting their behavior to appropriate actions. They discuss how to be thoughtful and gracious, and how their successes are dependent on their attitudes. They learn the importance of good personal cleanliness and a regular daily schedule.

Students learn the value of controlling their fears, and how they can be more successful and fulfilled if they choose not to cheat or to behave in ways that disturb others. They learn that by confronting a problem, they lessen its impact and gain power over it.

Next students discover the benefits of organization and planning to attain their life goals. They examine personal accomplishments, recognizing as they choose what they consume - visually, aurally, etc - they are choosing what they become. They compare habits and goals and how to spark changes that will effect their lives.

They discuss how bragging and boasting are harmful, and how looking to others as mentors can benefit them. Students consider how they can make their mark and how they can look for and find good in the world around them.

They discuss subjects such as, the attributes of a hero, what it means to be courageous, the benefits of having police officers to help us, and choosing to participate versus choosing self-absorption. Students study how role models can help them and how they can fill that role for others. Students investigate how to choose selflessness over self-centeredness.

As students continue to progress through the course, they learn about the values of being dignified, humble, and respectful. They talk about the impact of positive words and how they have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. They examine their obligation to respect the privacy and property of others and look at the importance of managing the electronic devices and media that surround them in our modern world. They recognize the manifestations of shyness and explore ways to control it. They learn about the importance of taking initiative.

Students discuss bullying and ways to deal with it. They examine the things that can cause enmity and how to combat those things. They explore how their success depends on how they handle stressful situations. They also look at ways they can diffuse anger and how to analyze and control complex emotions. They discuss turning negatives into positives as they learn to use the results of their decisions to help them make wise choices.

Next students are presented with the Mid-Term Review and Exam. Part 2 Students begin the second half of the course by learning how to appreciate their unique individual traits and those of others. They comprehend the need to optimize their ability to learn, and the importance of happy attitudes. They learn to act in ways that radiate positivity to others.

Students learn principles such as, how practice results in progress, that every person has worth, the value of acknowledging errors, and how to perceive and remove negative emotions.

They learn how recognizing the results of an action before they do it can help them make good choices. They study how they can overcome faults, conquer feeling sorry for themselves, and stop blaming others. They discover their potential to transform into someone who truly inspires others.

Next students explore personal qualities including courage and determination, planning and perseverance. They investigate the loss of confidence that can happen when things don't go well, and how to deal with that perception. They learn to look at their choices and accept responsibility for them.

They study the importance of being themselves instead of imitating others. They explore the price of silliness, the value of living honestly, how real wealth is having fulfilling relationships, and the benefits of taking care of their surroundings.

Students learn to look for the silver lining in the storms of life, to take from from them lessons that will strengthen them in the future, and to let life's difficulties mold them into better people. They learn to be aware of other people and their challenges, and to examine ways to overcome hurts, remorse, and shame.

Students begin to understand how they must see beyond people's outer shells, the importance of living life with honor and honesty, and the value of surrounding themselves with people who inspire them to be their best. They explore how to build strong relationships and how to avoid hard feelings and conflicts.

They look at how to respond appropriately to peer pressure and to comprehend the danger behind the statement "Don't tell." They discuss how to see when friends need assistance, and how to help them get it. They also consider the impact of social media and the challenge of making its use a positive force in their lives. They determine how to work as a team and how to get along. They also learn about taking the benefit of doubt instead of jumping to conclusions about others.

Students learn about empathy and the power of gratitude. They examine the joy in our diversity and how to use respect and sincerity in working out disagreements. Students discuss developing a path forward in their lives and creating observable markers toward their careers. They realize that they are in control of their lives and that they can choose to make them truly amazing.

Students are next presented with the Final Review and Exam.