Middle school guidance curriculum is determined by state laws as well as the Iowa Core standards for 21st Century Skills of health, career & college readiness. Additionally, the ASCA standards are also taken into consideration when planning curriculum for middle school students. Each middle school student will spend one quarter per year in exploratory guidance class.
6th Grade Life Skills Curriculum
The Bully Movie & Coordinating Activities: Northwood-Kensett Jr.-Sr. High School was able to view The Bully Movie as a school in May 2013. In October 2013, David & Tina Long visited our district to speak on topic of bullying. To continue our efforts in that area, we will begin 7th grade guidance class by viewing, discussing and participating in coordinating activities. |
Social Skills & Character Development:
7th grade students are entering a whole new world and will be given new responsibilities. Whenever possible, I will incorporate lessons from Character Counts & Character Counts of Iowa to help develop these skills. Another way that has been effective to teach these character-building skills is through active learning, aka "Learning by Doing." I often use activities and lessons from Tom Jackson's series of books "Activities that Teach." e-Cigarette/Vaping Curriculum: 6th grade students will complete the CVS & Discovery Education-developed "Catch My Breath" curriculum, designed to help 6th grade students refrain from vaping. It "empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about e-cigarettes and resist social pressures to vape." |
7th Grade Life Skills Curriculum
Introduction To Mental Health:
7th grade is the first time that mental health will be discussed in-depth, and most 7th grade students will have very limited knowledge on the subject. We will discuss:
|
The Grief Process for Teens:
Students will gain a greater understanding of a teen's grief process through the following texts & activities, which were developed by The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families:
|
Drug & Alcohol (Substance Abuse) Prevention Education:
7th grade students will work collaboratively on a research project on a variety of illegal substances to educate themselves and others on the topic of drug & alcohol abuse. Students will use reliable resources, such as the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, to collect & communicate information on this topic. |
We will be using curriculum developed by Teen Talk Sexuality Education to begin to talk about personal values on the topic of sexuality, as well as to inform students on the benefits of abstinence and/or delaying sexual activity. 7th grade topics will include:
|
Self- & Career Exploration In 7th grade guidance, we will spend time unearthing and clarifying students' values, aptitudes, and interests through a variety of activities and lessons. After self-exploration lessons have been completed, students will spend time exploring careers that would suit their life goals, aptitudes, interests, and personalities. |
8th Grade Guidance Curriculum
The Center for Healthy Teen Relationships, sponsored by the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, provides curriculum that is age-appropriate for middle & high-school aged students.
The curriculum we use discusses dating relationships, as well as friendship relationships, and relationships with adults & family (parents, coaches, teachers, etc.) It is aimed to recognize abusive relationships from an early age and strengthen social skills. |
Communication Skills
Students will continue reinforce their social/emotional aptitude and workplace readiness skills by exercising these communication strategies:
|
We will continue using curriculum developed by Teen Talk Sexuality Education to begin to talk about personal values on the topic of sexuality, as well as to inform students on the benefits of abstinence and/or delaying sexual activity. 7th grade topics will include:
|
Iowa State MAP Complete the activities for each of the steps: 1. Career Exploration 2. Course Planning 3. College & Career Readiness 4. Options Beyond High School |
High School Transition & 4-Year Plans
A large part of our quarter will be spent preparing for high school. Every 8th grade student must make a 4-Year Plan based on their I Have a Plan results that is approved by the student's parents. We will also spend time working on a project that will allow students to familiarize themselves with the student handbook and opportunities available to them throughout their high school career. Students should be well-informed on the changes coming in high school once the 4-Year Plan & high school transition project are complete! |
Career Exploration
Although we will cover career exploration in the 7th grade, it will take most students their entire high school careers (or longer!) to narrow down a career choice. By re-visiting career exploration in the 8th grade, students will continue to research and devote critical attention to the important decisions they will have to make as they end their school careers at Northwood-Kensett. Parents are encouraged to keep the topic going at home, as well. |