Topics To Be Covered during the 2024-2025 SY

Changing Friendships

This lesson helps students navigate changes in friendships as they transition to a new school building. Using the analogy of friendships as branches on a tree, students learn that friendships may shift and grow in different directions, just like branches. Through scenarios and group discussions, they explore why friendships change, share personal experiences, and discuss ways to adapt to these transitions with empathy and resilience. This lesson aims to foster a sense of belonging and help students understand that change in friendships is a normal part of growing up.

Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s):

M 1. Belief in the development of the whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.

M 2. Self-confidence in the ability to succeed.

M 3. Sense of belonging in the school environment.

Behavior Standard(s):Learning Strategies:B-LS 7. Identify long- and short-term academic, career, and social/emotional goals.

B-LS 9. Gather evidence and consider multiple perspectives to make informed decisions.

Self-Management Skills:

B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem

Social Skills:

B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.

B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy.

B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary.

Delivery and duration: September 2024, 3 weeks

Conflict Resolution Skills

Conflict Resolution Poster

Issue with Another Student Poster

Later in the year, we will be discussing these graphics at length to help avoid and manage conflict. In turn, healthy friendships will be made and maintained.

Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s): M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed Behavior Standard(s):Self-Management Skills:B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem
Social Skills:B-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students B-SS 3. Create relationships with adults that support success B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy B-SS 6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary B-SS 9. Demonstrate social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment
Delivery and duration: October/November 2024, 5 weeks

Affirmations

We explore affirmations vs. compliments during this lesson.

Delivery and duration: November 2024, 1 week

SPAM Goals

In this lesson, students are learning how to set effective goals using the SPAM method: Specific, Positive, Active, and Manageable. They’ll practice breaking big goals into smaller, achievable steps while focusing on what they can do, rather than what they can’t. The goal is to help students build confidence and stay motivated as they work toward success. Parents can support by encouraging their child to use SPAM goals at home for schoolwork, hobbies, or personal growth!

Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s):

M 1: Belief in the development of the whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.

M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.

M 6: Positive attitude toward work and learning.

Behavior Standard(s):

Learning Strategies

B-LS 3: Use time-management, organizational, and study skills.

B-LS 4: Apply self-motivation and self-direction to learning.

B-LS 7: Identify long- and short-term academic, career, and social/emotional goals.

Self-Management Skills

B-SMS 1: Demonstrate the ability to assume responsibility.

B-SMS 5: Demonstrate perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals.

B-SMS 6: Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning.

Social Skills

B-SS 9: Demonstrate social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment.

Delivery and duration: January 2025, 1 week

Rude vs. Mean vs. Bullying

We explore the differences between rude, mean and bullying behavior.

Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s): M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being
Behavior Standard(s):Self-Management Skills:B-SMS 1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibilityB-SMS 2. Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control
Social Skills:B-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy B-SS 5. Demonstrate ethical decision making and social responsibility B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary B-SS 9. Demonstrate social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment
Delivery and duration: January/February 2025, 1 week

Sexual Abuse Prevention SB288: Educate to Protect

Primary Concepts: Awareness/Recognition of Red Flags and Grooming Techniques
Secondary Concepts:

Establishing Boundaries (Say No, Stop)
Trusted Adults
Strangers AND people you know can cause harm
Inner Alarm (feeling uncomfortable)
Secrets vs Surprises
Predator Manipulation (owing, threatening, photograph grooming, attention)
Strategies for Addressing Non Compliance
Personal Space and Privacy Boundaries
Online Dangers
Lies (blaming, threatening, weakening confidence/ability to be heard/believed)
Universal Distress Signal

Delivery and duration: February 2025, 1 week

Social Media Safety

The students use their social media safety skills and critical-thinking abilities to decide what is safe/unsafe to post on their own social media accounts. This unit uses real-life scenarios to explore safety concerns in regards to social media and technology.

Mindsets and Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s):

M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

Behavior Standard(s):

Learning Strategies:

B-LS 1. Critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions

Self-Management Skills:

B-SMS 1. Responsibility for self and actions

B-SMS 9. Personal safety skills

Social Skills:

B-SS 5. Ethical decision-making and social responsibility

B-SS 9. Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment

Approximate delivery and duration: Winter 2025, 1 week

Topics To Be Covered during the 2025-2026 SY

SAVE (Safety and Violence Education) Students Act HB123

Overview:

In lesson 1, students will learn what mental health is, including the difference between everyday feelings and overwhelming feelings. Students will engage in activities that help promote learning.

In lesson 2, students will learn about stress and healthy coping strategies. Students will engage in learning activities that promote effective stress management.

In lesson 3, students will explore their capacity to access emotional help for themselves or a friend in need. Students will practice communication strategies that promote help-seeking behaviors.

National Health Education Standard:

NHES 1 - Comprehending Concepts

NHES 3 - Accessing Valid Sources of Information

NHES 7 - Self Management Learning

Objectives:

Students will…

Identify that mental health is as important as physical health
Explore activities that are emotionally/mentally healthy
Distinguish between everyday feelings and overwhelming feelings
Describe stress.
Demonstrate a variety of healthy practices and behaviors to cope with stress
Identify characteristics of trusted adults
Respond with help seeking behaviors to situations involving overwhelming feelings

Approximate Delivery and duration: Winter 2026, 3 weeks

Communication Styles

Students will determine their natural communication style, be able to define passive, assertive and aggressive communication and understand when each style can be impactful. We will spend time role playing assertive communication when it calls for a firmer toner of voice when faced with difficult situations.

Mindsets and Behaviors:
Mindset Standard(s):M 4. Self-confidence in ability to succeed
Behavior Standard(s):Learning Strategies:B-LS 1. Critical-thinking skills to make informed decisionsB-LS 4. Self-motivation and self-direction for learning
Self-Management Skills:B-SMS 1. Responsibility for self and actions
Social Skills:B-SS 1. Effective oral and written communication skills and listening skillsB-SS 5. Ethical decision-making and social responsibilityB-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary
Approximate delivery and duration: Fall 2025, 3 weeks

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Friendships

This extensive unit builds on the information learned from lessons in 5th grade and the communication style lessons earlier this year. Students will explore what makes a healthy friendship through books, videos, group work, and games. I will also ask them to self- reflect on their own friendships skills to determine if they are contributing to a healthy or unhealthy friendship.

Mindsets and Behaviors:
Mindset Standard(s):M 2. Sense of acceptance, respect, support and inclusion for self and others in the school environment
Behavior Standard(s):Learning Strategies:B-LS 2. Creative approach to learning, tasks, and problem solvingB-LS 7. Long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals
Self-Management Skills:B-SMS 1. Responsibility for self and actionsB-SMS 10. Ability to manage transitions and adapt to change
Social Skills: B-SS 1. Effective oral and written communication skills and listening skillsB-SS 2. Positive, respectful, and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from themB-SS 5. Ethical decision-making and social responsibilityB-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessaryB-SS 9. Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment
Approximate delivery and duration: Fall/Winter 2025/2026, 6 weeks

Possible Future Lesson

Solutions to Organizational Problems

More Details

This unit begins with an explanation of executive functioning skills. We will then focus on organization, planning, and time management strategies. We will be spending some time each week learning six helpful strategies to begin building healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s): M 6. Positive attitude toward work and learning
Behavior Standard(s):Learning Strategies:B-LS 3. Use time-management, organizational and study skills B-LS 5. Apply media and technology skills
Self-Management Skills:B-SMS 1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility B-SMS 6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning B-SMS 8. Demonstrate the ability to balance school, home and community activities B-SMS 10. Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to changing situations and responsibilities
Social SkillsB-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills B-SS 3. Create relationships with adults that support success B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary
Delivery and duration: TBD

"You are a beautiful person"

One of Miss Brickman's ALL- TIME favorite lessons where students run the show .... in silence! Be sure to check in with your student after this one!

Objectives: PS:A1.10 Identify personal strengths and assets
Delivery and duration: TBD

Social Skills

Students are shipwrecked on an island with a few of their classmates and need to work together to survive!

This Shipwreck Challenge focuses on team building, social skills, and creative problem solving. There are many opportunities to practice social skills- working with and listening to others, disagreeing appropriately, waiting turns, and more!

Mindsets & Behaviors:

Mindset Standard(s): M 3. Sense of belonging in the school environment M 6. Positive attitude toward work and learning
Behavior Standard(s):Learning Strategies:B-LS 2. Demonstrate creativity B-LS 4. Apply self-motivation and self-direction to learning B-LS 5. Apply media and technology skills
Self-Management Skills:B-SMS 1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem
Social SkillsB-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students B-SS 6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills B-SS 7. Use leadership and teamwork skills to work effectively in diverse teams B-SS 8. Demonstrate advocacy skills and ability to assert self, when necessary B-SS 9. Demonstrate social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment
Approximate delivery and duration: TBD

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