Weekly Lessons
May 11 - May 15
May 11 - May 15
Growing, Learning, and Preparing for First Grade
This week, students will reflect on their school year by identifying at least two areas where they have grown and improved. They will also set one goal for first grade. Reflecting on personal growth helps children build confidence, recognize their strengths, and understand that learning takes practice and effort. Goal setting encourages responsibility, motivation, and a positive mindset for the future.
At home, encourage your child to talk about something they are proud of learning this year and one thing they would like to improve next year. Celebrate their progress and help them practice setting small goals, such as reading more, being organized, or showing kindness to others.
Growing, Learning, and Preparing for 1st Grade
This week, students will think about their school year and identify at least two ways they have grown or improved. They will also create one goal to work toward in first grade. Reflecting on growth helps children recognize their accomplishments, build confidence, and understand that learning happens through practice and effort. Setting goals encourages responsibility, motivation, and a positive attitude toward learning.
At home, talk with your child about something they are proud of accomplishing this year and one skill they would like to continue improving next year. Celebrate their hard work and encourage them to practice setting simple goals, such as reading more often, staying organized, or showing kindness and helpfulness to others.
Perseverance & Self-Talk
Students will practice noticing negative or unhelpful thoughts about learning and replace them with helpful self-talk. They will develop a positive attitude toward schoolwork and gain confidence in their ability to succeed.
Why It’s Important: Learning to manage thoughts helps children stay motivated, handle challenges, and believe in themselves. Positive self-talk builds resilience and supports a lifelong love of learning.
At Home:
Encourage your child to say, “I can try this” or “I will keep practicing” when faced with a challenge
Model positive self-talk aloud when solving problems.
Praise effort and persistence, not just results.
Share examples of times you overcame mistakes by thinking positively.
Responsibility & Problem Solving
Students will identify their personal responsibilities at home and at school, as well as understand the importance of everyone having responsibilities. They will practice problem-solving skills and learn what it means to take responsibility for their choices and actions.
Why is this important?
Third grade is a time when students are becoming more independent. Learning responsibility helps students build self-confidence, make thoughtful choices, and understand how their actions affect others. Strong responsibility and problem-solving skills support academic success, positive friendships, and overall character development.
What you can do at home:
Give your child regular responsibilities (chores, organizing their backpack, homework routines).
Encourage them to solve small problems on their own before stepping in.
Talk about mistakes as learning opportunities and model taking responsibility.
Praise effort, honesty, and accountability.
COLLEGE/CAREER AWARENESS
Students will explore different career clusters and learn about careers that match their interests and strengths. They will also begin making a plan for their future career goals. Learning about careers at an early age helps students connect school skills to future opportunities, encourages goal setting, and builds excitement about their future.
At home, talk with your child about careers they may be interested in and share how education and hard work help people achieve their goals. Encourage them to explore their interests through reading, hobbies, and trying new activities.
Career Exploration
Students will research different careers, including job descriptions, salaries/wages, and the education or training needed for each career choice.
Learning about careers in 5th grade helps students begin thinking about their interests, strengths, and future goals. Students are learning that education, hard work, and positive choices can help create opportunities for their future.
Ways to support at home:
Talk about careers and jobs in your family or community.
Discuss how education helps people reach their goals.
Encourage your child to share their interests and strengths.
Reinforce responsibility, perseverance, and good work habits.
6th grade: Responsibility and Core Values
This month in guidance, students will learn about responsibility, good choices, and decision-making. Students will discuss what it means to be responsible, identify responsibilities at home and school, and explore their own values and morals. We will also talk about how values help guide the choices we make each day.
These skills are important because they help students become responsible, respectful, and confident decision-makers both at school and at home.
Families can support these lessons by talking about responsibilities, discussing choices and consequences, and modeling positive decision-making at home.
7th Grade: Problem Solving and Ethical Leadership
This month in guidance, students will focus on decision-making, problem-solving, and ethical leadership. Students will discuss daily choices, how choices impact themselves and others, and possible consequences of decisions. They will also learn the five steps of problem-solving, practice using problem-solving skills in different scenarios, and explore how the brain helps us make decisions. Students will also discuss ethical decisions and identify leaders who have demonstrated strong character and ethical choices.
These skills are important because they help students make thoughtful, responsible, and respectful decisions in everyday life.
Families can support these lessons at home by talking about choices and consequences, encouraging problem-solving, and discussing examples of ethical behavior and leadership in daily life.
8th Grade: Peer Influence and Self-Care
This month in guidance, students will focus on peer influence, bullying prevention, and self-care. Students will learn to distinguish between positive and negative peer influence, discuss what it means to be an upstander, and practice strategies for handling peer pressure. We will also talk about the differences between conflict, bullying, and mean behavior. In addition, students will explore healthy habits that support mental health, physical health, and personal growth while creating their own self-care plans.
These skills are important because they help students build healthy relationships, make positive choices, and care for their overall well-being.
Families can support these lessons at home by discussing healthy friendships, encouraging students to speak up for others, and helping children practice healthy habits and self-care routines.