5th Grade - 8th Grade

Classes K-7 are called SOAR.  This stands for social/emotional, occupational, academic readiness.  The name encompasses the domains from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Classes 5th grade to 8th grade have class with me every day for one quarter.  Lessons work to meet the standards set by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and connect from year to year.  New units are introduced as needed or lessons are adjusted/moved depending on what the class needs at a given time.  

Topics covered include:

5th grade SOAR (taught in the Fall): communication, SMART goal setting, mindset with a research project as part of this unit, executive functioning skills  

6th grade SOAR (taught in the Spring): leadership styles, careers, college options, mental health, stress and coping skills

*To meet student needs, topics taught are being flipped for 5th and 6th grade.  For the 2025-2026 school year, 6th grade will receive the same lessons as 5th grade.  6th grade received the lessons on college, career, and mental health last year in 5th grade, ensuring each and every student learns the same material in this year of transition.

7th grade SOAR (taught in the Fall): mindfulness, bullying and harassment, healthy vs unhealth relationships, possibly advertising and being aware of information given to them

8th grade Careers (taught in the Spring): This course heavily focuses on college/career options while also having students meet State of Iowa requirements and plan for high school.  It is formatted like the game LIFE, with students planning for future careers and college options while researching college admission and tuition.  Students then use this information to plan for personal life goals and high school course requirements, including their 4 Year Plan and 9th grade class schedule.  Students also complete tasks to learn about budgeting, taxes, and large life purchases such as a car and home.  To help with planning, students use I Have A Plan Iowa (IHAPI) as part of class.  This class is co-taught with Amber Vonnahme, our WBM Business teacher.