List of 2 items.

• Middle School Character Education Curriculum

  Social and Emotional Learning
  Building our students’ social and emotional skills is at the heart of our character education program. Throughout their middle school experience, our students become more self-aware and develop the skills to manage their emotions. The students also develop ways of expressing their feelings honestly and begin a productive dialogue with their peers about resolving a difference. This also encourages conflict resolution rather than hurt feelings, misunderstandings or feeling bullied or left out.
  
  

  Advisory 
  This program is made up of eight to ten students and a teacher facilitator, and it is the goal to create a safe place where these students can discuss issues or concerns they have. Each session begins with a group lesson, which is aligned with the character education curriculum, followed by related questions and discussion around the topic. Each student is given an opportunity to contribute their ideas, and the other group members respectfully listen. The small group environment creates a safe place for these students to share ideas and to have meaningful discussions. 

  
  
  The Character Education curriculum in sixth grade is designed around the five competencies of social and emotional learning: self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Through various class activities students also develop ways of expressing their feelings honestly and begin a productive dialogue with their peers about resolving a difference. This emphasis on positive relationships, based on honest communication and respect, is at the core of the character education curriculum. 
  
  In seventh grade, the students are familiar with the five competencies of social and emotional learning, and we continue to expand on the importance of understanding our emotions and how to manage them in productive ways. During this year we also focus on the influence our culture has on our life experience and on our perceptions. A unit on media literacy highlights the ways in which products are marketed and sold to adolescents. This in-depth study of the media and it’s powerful influence prepares our students for their role in the economy and also increases their level of social awareness. 
  
  The focus of character education in eighth grade is on relationship skills and responsible decision making. As they begin to think about transitioning into high school, they become acutely aware of the different challenges and opportunities with which they will be presented as they leave the safety of a familiar school environment and prepare to head to start a new school life. We spend much of our class time discussing scenarios and different possible outcomes, depending on the choices being made. The goal for our All Saints’ graduates is to have them enter high school feeling confident in their abilities to recognize their feelings, to manage those feelings effectively, to be aware of what is happening around them, and to possess the ability to make good decisions, even in challenging situations. 
  

• Lower School Character Education Curriculum

  Based on the belief that community building occurs through relationships, the Big & Little Brother-Sister Program is a beloved tradition at the school. Each year older students are partnered with younger students, giving older students the opportunity to experience role modeling and leadership skills, and younger students the pleasure of having a special big brother or sister to look up to. Activities together encourage empathy, concern, and appreciation for others.
  
  

  First grade’s class rule, “I will treat others with kindness and respect” is highlighted all year. The Six Pillars’ character trait of the month is worked on each week through discussions and applications of the behaviors, examples from literature and role playing.

   

  In second grade “Community Builder” and “Problem Solver” are words often repeated. Friday homeroom assemblies are used to read, practice, discuss, and role model the Character Counts ideas. The development of character, values, and a sense of respect and responsibility are emphasized throughout each day and through the year.
  
  Third grade highlights the Golden Rule and the 3R Pledge: “I will respect myself by making good choices, I will respect my classmates by treating them kindly, and I will take responsibility for my actions.” 

   

  Fourth grade embraces Persons of Character as an annual theme and character development lessons include role-playing, lessons from literature, and biographies of famous people who exemplify these traits. Through these lessons, students achieve an increased level of moral development, respect, and responsibilities. Class outreach projects involve reaching out to others outside of our community as well.

   

  In fifth grade, the development of character, values, and a sense of respect and responsibility are a part of each day. On the first day of school, the children create a classroom "Constitution" (guidelines which the students create and then agree to live by.) Learning to communicate so each person is heard is emphasized when conflicts arise. Formal lessons involving specific character traits take place once a week. To further encourage the pillars of kindness, respect and responsibility, fifth graders spend time with their little brother and sisters in Early Childhood.