The Essential 8 and Mandated Topics

The Essential 8

"The Essential Eight" are social emotional learning skills embedded in the everyday learning of our Denton ISD students that provide the foundation needed to be engaged citizens who positively impact their local and global community.  Campuses cover one Essential 8 topic per month.  This monthly topic is the same on all campuses across Denton ISD. 

August/September: Self-Management/Zones of Regulation (see https://zonesofregulation.com/how-it-works/)

Pre-K: Zones of Regulation/The Way I Feel 

Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.iii. Students will develop self-regulation skills

I.C.iii. Students will develop self-management skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.C. (Responsibility) The student is expected to: define self-control and identify instances in which self-control is important.


Kinder-2nd Grade: Zones of Regulation


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.iii. Goal: students will develop self-regulation skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.C. Define self-control and identify instances in which self-control is important


3rd-5th Grade: Zones of Regulation/Listening to My Body 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

1 A. iii. Goal: Student will develop self regulation skills 

11.B. II. Goal: Students will effectively express themselves Goal: Students will use communication skills to know when and how to ask for help, b.2.c - Students recognize personal boundaries, individual rights and privacy needs of others Goal: Students will understand the need for personal boundaries 

I.C.iii. Goal: Students will develop self management skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

 B.2.c: Responsibility - Identify and demonstrate ways to practice self-control


October: Social Awareness


Pre-K: The Recess Queen/Respect/Empathy


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.iii. Students will develop self-regulation skill

I.B.iv. Students will be able to engage in effective problem solving

II.B.i. Students know that communication involves speaking, listening, and nonverbal behavior

II.B.ii. Students will effectively express themselves

II.B.iii. Students will use communication skills to know when and how to be a good listener

II.C.i. Students will understand the need for personal boundaries

II.C.ii. Students will understand the individual rights and privacy of others

IV.C.i. Students will demonstrate the ability to set boundaries for physical, social and emotional protection

IV.C.ii. Students will demonstrate an appreciation for the rights of others to have a physically, emotionally, and socially safe environment


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.3.B: Caring - Explain and identify how actions can demonstrate kindness to others

b.4.C: Citizenship - Explain what it means to demonstrate respect and courtesy and why it is important to demonstrate respect and courtesy to others


Kinder-2nd Grade: Let's Play: A Book about Making Friends/Respect 


3rd-5th Grade: T.H.I.N.K/Video: "Boomerang" 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

II. A. III Demonstrate appreciation for difference in others

II.B.i Become aware that good communication skills help people work well together

II.B.ii Verbalize ideas, thought and feelings; Make positive statements to/about others; Speak appropriately

IV.C.ii Understand respect; understand kind and unkind behaviors


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.3.B: Caring - explain how one can show patience, consideration, and compassion

b.3.C: Empathy - define empathy and discuss the connection between empathy and charity.

 b.4.A: Citizenship - describe the differences and similarities among gratitude, respect, and courtesy


November: Optimistic Thinking


Pre-K-5th Grade: Attitude of Gratitude Presentations


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.i students will have accurate self concepts

I.A.iii students will develop self-regulation skills

III.A.iii students will identify attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning

III.E.i students will develop a positive attitude toward work and learning


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

Caring: b.3.B - explain and identify examples of how actions can demonstrate kindness to others

Citizenship: b.4.C. - explain what it means to demonstrate respect and courtesy and why it is important to demonstrate respect and courtesy to others


December: Decision Making


Pre-K: Gratitude with Gifts 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:


I.B.i: Students will develop effective decision making skills

I.B.ii: Students will be able to develop a plan of action


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:


Decision making/Responsibility: 2.B.:  describe how to make personal choices before speaking and acting

Caring: 3.B. - Explain and identify examples of how actions can demonstrate kindness to others 


Kinder-2nd Grade: Gratitude with Gifts


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:


II. A. ii: Students will respect others as individuals and accept them for cultural membership. 

II.B. ii: : Students will effectively express themselves. 

I.B.i: Students will develop effective decision making skills. 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.B Responsibility: Describe how to make personal choices before speaking and acting 


3rd-5th Grade: You're a Gift 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.B.i: Students will develop effective decision-making skills

I.B.ii: Students will be able to develop a plan of action

I.B.iv: Students will be able to engage in effective problem solving

II.D.i: Students will be develop and use conflict resolution skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.B Responsibility: Describe positive and negative consequences of personal decisions and actions.


January: Decision Making


Pre-K: Big Deal and Little Deals


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:


I.B.i: Students will develop effective decision making skills

I.B.ii: Students will be able to develop a plan of action


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:


Decision making/Responsibility 2(b): Describe how to make personal choices before speaking and acting

  Citizenship 4(c):  Explain what it means to demonstrate respect and courtesy and why it is important to demonstrate respect and courtesy to others


Kinder-2nd Grade: Good Choice/Bad Choice: 



Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.B.i Goal: Students will develop effective decision-making skills 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.B Responsibility: Describe how to make person choices before speaking and acting 


3rd-4th Grade: What Should I Do?/What are the Consequences?/What are the Pros and Cons?


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.B.i : Students will develop effective decision-making skills

I.B.ii: Students will be able to develop a plan of action

I.B.iv: Students will be able to engage in effective problem solving

II.D.i: Students will be develop and use conflict resolution skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.B: Responsibility: Describe positive and negative consequences of personal decisions and actions


4th Grade: Additional Lesson on Conflict Resolution

5th Grade: Decision Making: Elementary to Middle School


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.B.i: Students will develop effective decision-making skills

I.B.ii: Students will be able to develop a plan of action

I.B.iv: Students will be able to engage in effective problem solving

II.D.i :Students will be develop and use conflict resolution skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

b.2.B Responsibility: Describe positive and negative consequences of personal decisions and actions 


5th Grade: Additional lesson on career development and inquiry 


5th Grade: Additional lesson on middle school readiness 


February: Healthy Relationships 


Pre-K: Diversity 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.ii: Students will appreciate their uniqueness.

II.A.i: Students will appreciate their culture.

II.A.ii: Students will respect others as individuals and accept them for the cultural membership.

II.A.iii: Students will effectively relate with others based on appreciation for similarities/differences.


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

2(b) Responsibility:  Describe how to make personal choices before speaking and acting.

4(c) Citizenship: Explain what it means to demonstrate respect and courtesy and why it is important to demonstrate respect and courtesy to others.


Kinder-2nd Grade: Healthy Friendships


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

II.E: Student Competency: Students develop healthy relationships.

II.E.i: Goal: Students will define healthy and unhealthy relationships.

II.E. ii: Goal: Students will identify characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships. 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

Trustworthiness (b.1.A): Identify and define traits of trustworthiness, including reliability and loyalty

Caring (b.3.B): Explain how one can show patience, consideration, and compassion


3rd-5th Grade: Relationships Matter


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

II.E. Student Competency: Students develop healthy relationships

II.E.i. Goal: Students will define healthy and unhealthy relationships

II.E. ii. Goal: Students will identify characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

Trustworthiness (b.1.A) Identify and define traits of trustworthiness, including reliability and loyalty

Caring (b.3.B) Explain how one can show patience, consideration, and compassion


4th Grade: Additional lesson on conflict resolution


5th Grade: Additional lessons on career awareness and middle school readiness 


March: Self-Awareness


Pre-K: Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.iii-Students will develop self-regulation skills

I.C.iii-Students will develop self-management skills


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

1. Trustworthiness: (A) Describe how personal choices lead to personal actions

                 2. Responsibility: (B) Describe how to make personal choices before speaking and acting

                                                                                     (C) Define self-control and identity instances in which self-control is important


Kinder-2nd Grade: My Strengths


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.i: Students will have accurate self-concepts: Identify some of their strengths and limitations

I.A.ii: Students will appreciate their uniqueness 

I.A.iii: Students will develop self-regulation skills

I.C.iii: Students will develop self-management skills



Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

c(2)(A): Responsibility. The student understands the concept of responsibility and how personal actions and self-management skills demonstrate responsibility. The student is expected to: (A) describe and give examples of how feelings and beliefs influence personal actions

c(3)(A):Caring. The student understands how personal actions and interpersonal skills demonstrate characteristics of caring. The student is expected to: (A) listen actively when sharing and cooperating with others


3rd-5th Grade: Flexible Thinking


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.i: Students will have accurate self-concepts: Identify some of their strengths and limitations

I.A.ii: Students will appreciate their uniqueness 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

Trustworthiness (b.1.A) Identify and define traits of trustworthiness, including reliability and loyalty

Caring (b.3.B) Explain how one can show patience, consideration, and compassion

Responsibility (b.2.A) Explain what it means to be responsible for personal decisions and actions


4th Grade: Additional lesson on conflict resolution


5th Grade: Additional lessons on career awareness and middle school readiness 


April: Goal-Directed Behavior 


Pre-K: Lesson with book: The Little Engine that Could 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

i.B.ii Students will be able to develop a plan of action

i.B.iii Students will be able to engage in goal setting

iii.C.ii Students will learn how to apply goal setting skills in career 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

(2) Responsibility: 

(A) Describe and give examples of how feelings and beliefs influence personal actions

(C) Define self-control and identity instances in which self-control is important

(3) Caring: 

(A) Define patience and identify actions that demonstrate patience


Kinder-2nd Grade: Lesson with book: The Thing Lou Couldn't Do


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

i.B.ii Students will be able to develop a plan of action

i.B.iii Students will be able to engage in goal setting

iii.C.ii Students will learn how to apply goal setting skills in career 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

(2) Responsibility: 

(A) Describe and give examples of how feelings and beliefs influence personal actions

(C) Define self-control and identity instances in which self-control is important

(3) Caring: 

(A) Define patience and identify actions that demonstrate patience


3rd-5th Grade: Lesson with book: Salt in His Shoes 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

i.B.ii Students will be able to develop a plan of action

i.B.iii Students will be able to engage in goal setting

iii.C.ii Students will learn how to apply goal setting skills in career 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

Responsibility:

b.2.A: Explain what it means to be responsible for personal decisions and actions.


 Additional lesson on conflict resolution


4th Grade: Additional lesson on conflict resolution


5th Grade: Additional lessons on career awareness and middle school readiness 


May: Personal Responsibility


Pre-K: Personal Responsibility 


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.A.ii-Students will appreciate their uniqueness

I.C.i-Students will behave in a responsible manner

I.C.ii-Students will take responsibility for their own behaviors

III.A.iii-Students will identify attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning

III.B.i-Students will identify career opportunities that allow them to fulfill their potential

III.B.ii-Students will make connections between personal skills, interests and abilities, and career choices

III.C.ii-Students will learn how to apply goal-setting skills in career

III.D.i-Students will demonstrate awareness that education and training is needed to achieve career goals

III.E.ii-Students will understand the relationship between educational achievement and career success

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

(2) Responsibility: (B) Describe how to make personal choices before speaking and acting

                      (C) Define self-control and identity instances in which self-control is important


Kinder-2nd Grade: Clark the Shark (book) 



Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.C.i Students will behave in a responsible manner.

I.C.ii Students will take responsibility for their own behavior. 

II.B.iii Students will use communication skills to know when and how to ask for help. 


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

(b)(2)(B): Responsibility: accountability, diligence, perseverance, self-control, and self-management.

(b)(2)(C): define self-control and discuss effective self-management skills, including listening to others, managing one's emotions, and setting goals


3rd-5th Grade: Responsibility Rings


Texas Model Student Competency Addressed:

I.C.i  Students will behave in a responsible manner

I.C.ii  Students will take responsibility for their own behaviors

II.B.iii. Students will use communication skills to know when and how to ask for help

IV.C.ii Students will demonstrate an appreciation for the rights of others to have a physically, emotionally, and socially safe environment.


Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills - Positive Character Trait Standard Addressed:

Responsibility: 

b.2.A.Explain what it means to be responsible for personal decisions and actions.

b.2.C  Identify and demonstrate ways to practice self-control

b.2.D Describe the relationship between being responsible and being accountable


Citizenship:

b.4.C  Discuss the importance of obeying laws and rules

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Other State of Texas Mandated Topics

Other Texas State Mandated Education Units are presented throughout the year, from a preventative and proactive stance.  


September: Emotional Wellness

October: Bully Prevention/Cyberbullying/Internet Safety

November: Healthy Choices

Healthy Relationships: These discussions occurred in September.  


For more information, see https://sites.google.com/g.dentonisd.org/prevention-and-intervention/home


Please contact Mr. Grant at mgrant@dentonisd.org or 972-347-7304 if you have any questions or concerns.  Thank you!