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Social Skills Curriculum

The curriculum for the Social Skills and Career Development classes has been designed to encourage children to actively participant in the development of their social and emotional progress. The curriculum is primarily adapted from two nationally recognized social skills programs: "Life Skills Training Program" and "P.A.T.H.S. Elementary Developmental Program." Course topics include: self-esteem building, conflict resolution techniques, peer relations, understanding and controlling emotions, anger management, communication skills, readiness and self control, understanding feelings, assertiveness training, resisting peer pressure, ethical decision making, career exploration and goal setting. Grades one through five meet two times per week on a six-week rotation cycle. Each class is approximately 45 minutes long. The social skills program incorporates grades six though eight as part of the fourth period Home and Careers Class, which meets two times per week for an approximate seven week rotation.

P.A.T.H.S. is designed for elementary level school children, grades one through grades five. There are five major conceptual domains contained in P.A.T.H.S. These are:

• Self Control

• Emotional Understanding

• Building Self Esteem

• Relationships

• Interpersonal Problem Solving Skills

Life Skills Training Program is designed for middle school children in grades six through grade eight. The main emphasis of this program is on the development of important personal and social skills.

• Introduction to the Concept of Self Esteem (What it is and How it is Maintained)

• Beginning to Form a Positive Self Image

• Strength Based Approach to Self-Concept 
  (Identifying Positive Strengths and Personal Characteristics of Each Student)

• Identifying Feelings and Range of Temperament

• Learning to identify and Control Level of Anger

Grade Two

• Self Esteem Building: Beginning to Look at Positive and Neutral Characteristics of Self

• Introduction of Conflict Resolution Skills and How it Relates to one’s Level of Self-Esteem

• Using Control Signals as a Means of Controlling Anger

• Identifying What a Crisis is

• Seeking Appropriate Help When in a Crisis

• Rules of Arguing/Conflict Resolution

• Playing and Fighting Fair

• Fundamentals of Goal Setting

• Danger of Gossip

• Importance of Trust: Keeping Secrets

• Self Exploration "Who Am I"

• Problem Solving Techniques "R.E.A.C.T."

• Controlling our Thoughts and Feelings

• Optimism vs. Pessimism

• "Automatic Thoughts" and Self Esteem: "Retrain the Brain"

• Importance of Honesty, Equality and Tolerance

• Communication Skills

• Learning How to Listen (Active Listening)

• Self-Exploration Project: Self Worth Collage

• Understanding Insecurity and Where it Comes From

• Comfort Zone Expanding: Challenging F.I.M.A.G.E. (Fear of Image)

• Assertiveness Training

• Importance of Giving and Receiving Compliments

• Risk Taking to Increase Self Concept

• Understanding Barriers to Effective Communication

• Active Listening Skills + Responding with Understanding

• Goal Setting (Short Term)

• Career Exploration

• Goal Setting "Short + Long Term"

• Assertiveness Training: Saying No to Peer Pressure

• Ethical Decision Making (Virtues of Human Behavior)

• Higher Level "Risk Taking" to Increase Self Concept

• "Show and Tell" (Public Speaking Skills, Sharing Personal Strength)

• Career Exploration

• Goal Setting "Short + Long Term"

• Assertiveness Training: Introducing Oneself

• Ethical Decision Making (Virtues of Human Behavior)

• Mock Interview for Future Job Training

• Importance of Personal Responsibility and Ownership for Actions

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This page was last edited June 06, 2006.