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.

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: 8th Grade Life Skills

2026 – 2027 Academic Year

Second Trimester (60 Days): Dec. 30th - March 5th 

1. Physical Health - Fitness

• Understanding Physical Health

• The Value of Fitness

• Components of Fitness & The F.I.T.T. Principle

2. Disease Prevention

• Communicable - Non-Communicable Diseases

• HIV - AIDS 

3. Internet Safety 

• Multitasking, Distraction

• Screen Time, Limiting Time for Human Interactions, 

• Addictiveness, Affects on Over-stimulation, Attention Span

• Analyzing influence, Body Image, Self-Comparing

• Parameters for Safe & Acceptable Use and Practices

4. Social Health 

• What is Social Health?

• Social Awareness - Social Norms in Society

• Generalizing, Cliques, Stereotyping, Social Assumptions

• Social Acceptance, Tolerance

• Developing Healthy Relationships, Setting Boundaries

• Dealing with Conflicts in Relationships

• Decision Making, Core Values

5. Suicide Prevention

• Warning Signs

• Seeking Help, Assistance

6. Substance Abuse & Prevention

• Visit from Drug Enforcement Officer

• Investigation of Trending Substances Known for Abuse

• Power & Dangers of Addiction

• Peer & Social Influence

 7. First Aid Safety & Accident Prevention

• Assessing Hazards & Risk

• Responding & Assessing to Medical Emergencies

• Steps in Administering First Aid for Injuries & Medical Emergencies

•  CPR

8. Fire Science & Safety

• Fire Science 

• Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers

9. Career Education / HS Course Selection

• SHS Guidance Counselors Provide Assistance

🤔 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.

Tests & Project 45%

Quizzes 35%

Classwork & Homework Assignments 20%

Teacher: Mr. Brown, Room 305

School Phone#: 860-749-2270 (ext. 5305)

E-mail: mark.brown@somers.k12.ct.us