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 : Safety and Self-Advocacy
Fifth-grade students will meet for school counseling lessons during Religion 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: Healthy Habits
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 Communication
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.
December: Building a Covenant of Respect
This month, Mr. Gross and I had the privilege of visiting the 5th-grade classrooms to facilitate a deep dive into Classroom Culture. As the leaders of the elementary school, 5th graders are at an age where they can move beyond simply "following rules" to truly understanding the "why" behind a respectful community.
Rather than simply handing out a list of "dos and don'ts," we engaged the students in a collaborative process to create a Classroom Covenant. This is a shared agreement—written by the students, for the students—that outlines how they want to feel and act during the school day.
We explored respect through four key lenses:
Respect for Others: Using inclusive language, practicing active listening, and honoring different perspectives during collaboration.
Respect for Property: Taking pride in our shared environment, from locker bays and hallways to playground equipment.
Respect for Educators: Understanding how attentive body language and following directions allow the teacher to focus on the most important thing: learning.
Respect for Self: Arriving prepared and putting in the "mental effort" required for 5th-grade academics.
We discussed that a positive climate isn't just for the classroom. We mapped out what respectful behavior looks like in our "transition zones"—the hallway, the locker bay, and the recess field. The goal is to create a "culture of calm" where every student feels safe and focused, regardless of where they are on campus.
You can help bridge the gap between school and home by bringing the language of "The Covenant" into your daily routine:
1. The "Community Impact" Conversation When your child mentions a classmate or a school event, ask: "How did your actions today help make your classroom a better place for everyone to learn?" This shifts the focus from their individual behavior to their impact on the Climate.
2. Model "Respect for Property" Encourage your child to take ownership of their personal "locker bay" at home (their backpack, desk, or bedroom). Discuss how keeping their own space organized is a sign of respect for the home and helps the "family team" run more smoothly.
3. Practice "Active Listening" as a Gift In class, we discussed that listening is a form of respect. At home, you can reinforce this by saying: "I am going to give you my full attention while you tell me about your day; I’d love for you to do the same for me when I’m sharing." 4. Discuss Shared Accountability Ask your child what specific rules their class included in their Covenant. Ask: "Why did the class decide that rule was important? What happens to the group when that rule is broken?" This helps develop social insight and empathy.
By allowing students to help write the rules, they gain a sense of ownership and agency. They aren't just following a teacher’s orders; they are upholding a promise they made to their peers. We are so proud of the maturity the 5th graders showed in this process!
January: The Foundations of Healthy Relationships
This January, our 5th-grade counseling lessons are focused on one of the most important life skills: Building and Maintaining Healthy Relationships. As students grow more independent, they are navigating a wider variety of social circles—from family and friends to teachers, coaches, and even the early stages of interest in dating.
We taught the students that every strong relationship, regardless of the type, must be built on three non-negotiable pillars:
Trust: The feeling of safety and reliability. Can I count on this person to be honest and keep my confidences?
Communication: The ability to share feelings and needs openly and listen to the other person without judgment.
Respect: Valuing the other person's boundaries, opinions, and individuality, even when we disagree.
We empowered students to be "Social Detectives" by identifying "Red Flags"—signs that a relationship may be becoming unhealthy. These include:
Controlling Behavior: A friend telling you who you can or cannot hang out with.
Lack of Privacy: Someone demanding to see your private messages or following you around constantly.
Put-downs: Using "jokes" to make you feel small or embarrassed.
Pressure: Forcing you to do things that make your "Guard Dog" (amygdala) bark or make you feel unsafe.
We emphasized that if a student sees these flags in their own life or a friend’s, they should never handle it alone. We identified Trusted Adults at school and home who can help navigate these tricky waters.
Parents, you are your child's first and most influential model for relationships. Here is how you can reinforce these skills at home:
1. Model "Assertive Communication" Help your child move away from being "Passive" (letting things slide) or "Aggressive" (being mean back). Practice I-Messages together: "I feel frustrated when you interrupt me. I would like for you to wait until I’m finished speaking." When they use these with you, acknowledge it: "I appreciate you telling me how you feel so respectfully."
2. Discuss the "Red Flag/Green Flag" Concept: When watching a movie or TV show together, point out character interactions. Ask: "Was that a 'Green Flag' (healthy) or a 'Red Flag' (unhealthy) way for those friends to talk to each other?" This builds their "Social Radar" in a low-stakes environment.
3. Prioritize Self-Love: We taught the students that the most important relationship they have is with themselves. Help your child identify their strengths. A child who feels confident and worthy is far less likely to accept poor treatment from others.
4. The "Open Door" Policy: Reiterate that no social problem is too "embarrassing" to bring to you. Use the language from our lesson: "If you ever feel like a relationship is missing one of the three pillars—trust, communication, or respect—I am always here to help you figure it out."
By teaching these skills now, we are giving our 5th graders the "social compass" they need to choose friends and partners who will lift them up rather than pull them down.