8th Grade

Lesson 1: Intro to school counseling

All VMS students watched a video explaining the role of the school counselor, how they can speak with the school counselor (F2F and virtually), and confidentiality.

10.14.2020

Lesson 2: Understanding the teenage brain

Students learned about brain development during adolescence, different areas of the brain, and how this all relates to mental health.

Questions to engage your student:

1) What does "use it or lose it" mean when it comes to your developing brain?

2) What happens when you "flip your lid"? What does the amygdala control? How about the prefrontal cortex?

3) Can you get help if you have a mental health challenge?

10.26.2020

Lesson 3: Walk in our shoes: learning the facts

Students were asked to read a quick online article about the facts of mental health and take a Kahoot! to review what they read.

Questions to engage your student:

1) What causes a mental health challenge/mental illness?

2) What is stigma and how might someone with a mental health challenge experience it?

3) Can you get help and feel better if you are struggling with a mental health challenge? (YES!)

12.2.2020

Lesson 4: How to A.C.T.

Today we learned about how to A.C.T. when a friend or family member is working through a mental health challenge.

Questions to engage your student:

1) What does A stand for and what does this look like? (Acknowledge)

2) What does C stand for and what does this look like? (Care)

3) What does T stand for and who can you talk to if you need help for yourself or someone else? (Tell)

1.6.2021

Lesson 5: Let's Talk About High School

Today we learned about high school (counselor role, schedules, required classes, electives, credits, clubs, sports, Laurel, etc.). We then reflected on our feelings about high school and any questions we have.

Questions to engage your student:

1) What are you excited about for high school?

2) What are you nervous about for high school?

3) What questions do you want answered?

1.19.2021 & 1.20.2021

Lesson 6: Meet the HS Counselor

8th grade students met with the HS counselor to talk about registering for classes.

Question to engage your student:

1) Which class(es) are you most looking forward to taking in high school?

1.25.2021 & 1.28.2021

Lesson 7: Xello - Transition to High School

Today we talked about the importance of guidance and the difference between learning hard skills and soft skills. Students then logged into Xello and examined their interests before completing a lesson on transitioning to high school.

Question to engage your student:

1) Have them show you around Xello! It is an important part of their Academic and Career Plans.

2.17.2021

Lesson 8: Healthy Relationships

Today students watched a video and learned about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships. They learned steps to take if they, or someone they care about, are in an unhealthy relationship and learned about the Relationship Bill of Rights (the rights all people have in every relationship).

Questions to engage your student:

1) What are signs of a healthy relationship?

2) What are signs of an unhealthy relationship?

3) What can you do if you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship? What do you have a right to in any relationship?

4.27.2021

Lesson 9: To High School and Beyond!

Today we learned about our options after high school and how there is no right or wrong path. We need to look at our skills, interests, academics, and job opportunities. Students learned about going straight into the work force, post-secondary education, and the military.

Students then logged into Xello to complete their career matchmaker.

Questions to engage your student:

1) What is something you might want to do after high school?

2) What interests do you have that you would like to pursue in a career?

3) Which careers were you matched with in the career matchmaker?