Students in all grade levels will have age-appropriate lessons in the following areas:
Self- Awareness
Identifying Feelings
Identifying Traits
Social Awareness
Recognizing others feelings
Empathy
Disagreeing with others
Respect for other people’s feelings and belongings
Self- Management
Monitoring Stress and coping skills
Growth Mindset - Developing Grit
Showing Self Control
Goal Setting
Responsible Decision Making
Communicating
Appropriate behavior
Following rules
Safety
September
Fifth-grade students will meet for school counseling lessons during homeroom time approximately every three weeks. During the first lesson, students will be introduced to the role of the school counselor and the various ways the counseling program supports them. They will learn how to request an appointment if they need support for themselves or wish to express concern for a peer. The lesson will also emphasize the importance of each student’s role in fostering a positive school environment by focusing on academic success and treating others with kindness and respect. In addition, students will be introduced to the TIPS reporting tool on Sycamore and will explore appropriate situations for using the tool to ensure that friends or classmates receive the help they need.
October
In 5th grade we discuss healthy habits for student success. We explore the following areas briefly and will work through real-life actions we can do to be successful as students practicing these healthy choices and habits.
Sleep habits
Screen time habits
Study skills and organization
Practicing kindness, compassion and gratitude
Using movement/exercise daily to positively impact our physical and mental wellness
Healthy eating
Relaxation/Coping skills
Model healthy behaviors
Healthy friendships
November
Students will explore what it means to communicate appropriately and why it’s important. The lesson includes both verbal and nonverbal communication.
Introduction to Communication Types: Begin by defining verbal communication (using words) and nonverbal communication (body language, tone, facial expressions). Discuss examples of both, like speaking clearly and using kind words for verbal, and maintaining eye contact and open body language for nonverbal.
Discussing Appropriate Communication: Introduce the concept of "appropriate communication" by asking students to think of different scenarios (e.g., talking with friends, speaking to teachers) and discussing the different ways they might communicate in each. Emphasize being respectful, clear, and mindful of others' feelings.
Reading Nonverbal Cues: Teach students to notice nonverbal cues such as crossing arms (which might mean someone is closed off), smiling (indicating friendliness), and looking away (possibly showing disinterest or discomfort).
Interactive Practice: Divide students into pairs or small groups and give them scenarios to role-play. Encourage them to practice both clear verbal communication and appropriate nonverbal cues, such as facing each other, nodding to show understanding, and responding with kind words.
Reflective Discussion: After the role-plays, discuss how communication affects relationships and helps us work well together. Reinforce the value of noticing others’ body language and using respectful communication to foster positive interactions.
By the end, students should understand the basics of appropriate communication, including how to speak respectfully and interpret nonverbal signals from others.