6th Grade Life Skills Class
Mr. Mark Brown, Health Education Teacher
Welcome to my 6th Grade Life Skills Classroom Page!
A bit about myself and what I bring with me to MBA...
In 1999, I began my teaching career here at MBA as the school's first Life Skills Teacher. Prior to becoming an educator, I spent 20 years in the health field working in the nursing home industry. Graduating from Southern Connecticut State University, I earned a bachelor of science degree in Physical Education and a minor concentration in School Health. In addition, I enriched my teaching skills by acquiring a Master's background in Educational Technology while attending the University of Hartford. While attending Southern, I also expanded my educational experience in the evenings at Central Connecticut State University completing 6 semester of Russian Language Studies. I've traveled extensively throughout the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe during the 1990's. My life has been an ongoing pursuit of learning new things, going to different places, meeting interesting people and sharing the knowledge I've amassed from my experience with others.
Athletics & Coaching Young People...
Also well known as "Coach Brown," I began coaching at the age of 13, volunteering in the Parks & Rec. basketball program in town of Newington CT, the town where I grew up. Having played baseball at NHS, I later was honored to return as the school's JV Coach for a period of 12 years. My most cherished coaching experience was assisting legendary basketball coach Joe Rielly at South Catholic High School in 1991 where the team went on to win the Class M state title. Having a love for a variety of sports and physical activities, my coaching background encompasses over 40 years of coaching baseball, boys & girls basketball, ice hockey and presently, cross country running here at MBA. It's been a great run, but I'm not done yet!
So, What is "Life Skills?"
The Life Skills course embodies the district’s Health Education curriculum. The class offers knowledge, skills and strategies that children need to eventually become healthy, successful and productive people in society. This includes an inquiry into physical, mental/emotional, social health, and other related sciences. Topics covered such as effective means of interpersonal skills are critical in developing meaningful relationships, as well as more reflective skills that help our students to see their actions and respond critically to become happier adults.
Link: Course Syllabus / Description
Scheduling
The Life Skills Course is connected with 2 other courses (Art & Technology) into a trimester group called "Unified Arts." The 3 grades will rotate through each of the UA classes after the end of each trimester.
Unified Arts Course: 6th Grade Life Skills
2023 – 2024 Academic Year
First Trimester (60 Days): August 31st - November 22nd
6th Grade Level Units
1. Internet Safety
2. Mental & Emotional Health
3. Substance Abuse & Prevention
4. First Aid Safety & Accident Prevention
5. Human Growth & Development
6. Youth Suicide Prevention
Classroom Assignments & Activities:
🤔 Homework is sometimes assigned. Be aware, classwork is accounted for and graded (completeness, accuracy). Lessons and instructional materials are presented exclusively in the Google Classroom teacher-student platform. Each student will need a separate 3-ring binder (1-inch) which will be keep primarily in the classroom. This class notebook-binder will help each student to keep track of paper-produced activities, assignment and informational pages for reference during the trimester and to prepare for tests and quizzes.
Grading Weights
Tests & Project 40%
Quizzes 25%
Behavior / Attitude / Effort 15%
Classwork & Homework Assignments 20%
Contact Info.
Teacher: Mr. Brown, Room 305
School Phone#: 860-749-2270 (ext. 5305)
E-mail: mark.brown@somers.k12.ct.us