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!