Forsyth Country Day School                             Curriculum Guide

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Guidance                                                          Middle School

Overview

The Middle School counselors work jointly with teachers, division directors, and parents to foster students’ positive social and emotional development as well as their general well-being.  Grade level guidance activities center around character development, cooperative work, communication skills and other topics suggested by teachers.

In addition to group activities counselors meet with small groups of students to discuss areas of concern such as academic stress, friendship problems or family crises.

Counselors meet regularly with Middle School teachers at team meetings as another means of learning about concerns teachers have with individual students.  Working to help students learn to deal with developmental problems is a joint effort involving all those who teach a student, the division director, and parents.

Objectives

The student will

1. learn to express thoughts and feelings clearly
2. identify feelings and understand the difference between feelings and subsequent behavior
3. identify values that help direct one’s life
4. recognize strength of character as it relates to behavior
5. understand the consequences of tobacco and alcohol use
6. appreciate the influence of one’s behavior on others
7. learn the value of and positive feelings derived from community service
8. demonstrate the value of cooperative behavior
9. be able to recognize the negative effects of gossip

Content

            The content of the guidance curriculum is built around the developmental levels for each grade.  At the core of the program is a focus on interpersonal communication and the development of self-identity.  Students explore how they relate to each other and to the greater community.  They also build on their understanding of such concepts as values, tolerance, decision-making, and diversity.

1. Identify skills associated with cooperative behavior
2. Identify feelings correctly
3. Devise methods for dealing with stress and anger
4. Understand the value of demonstrating respect for others
5. Demonstrate an understanding of active and passive participation in teasing
6. Identify mental, physical, moral courage through the behavior of others
7. Enumerate the possible consequences of using tobacco and alcohol as well as illegal drugs
8. Demonstrate active listening techniques
9. Verbalize the connection between values and their impact on behavior

Methodology

Discussion

Small group work

Individual work

Role play exercises

Evaluation

Participation

Level of respect given to fellow students

Discussion

Effort

Resources

ASCA National model

Collaboration with colleagues