Classroom+Guidance

Ms. Heinrichs School Counselor Grades 6-8 2013-2014
 * Counselor Connection Newsletter**

**__Guidance Curriculum__** The focus of the guidance curriculum is to address the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students to be productive members of society. The following benchmarks were written for the Middle School level.

__**What’s Happening?**__

In **6th Grade Guidance Exploratory class**, students will be developing a better understanding of themselves, and knowledge of positive relationship building skills. Class lessons and activities will help students become caring, trustworthy and respectful people. We will work on skills that will help them act with responsibility and fairness toward others and to demonstrate citizenship.

Students will also demonstrate the techniques of active listening and "I messages" when giving feedback to others. This will promote effective communication in their relationships with others.

Students will recognize and appreciate the value of individual diversity and demonstrate the respect of alternative points of view.

Students will also be introduced to an action plan of decision making to help them solve everyday situations.

Study skills are also emphasized to help every student develop the work habits that can lead to school success.

Sixth grade students meet once during the 6 day rotation for the entire school year.

In **7th grade Guidance Exploratory class known as __Life Skills__**, students are introduced to Sean Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens”. We discuss exactly what habits are and how the first 3 habits can be applied to their everyday lives. Ask your son or daughter to explain to you the following habits: Habit 1: Be Proactive – Take responsibility for your life. Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind – Define your mission and goals in life. Students will be writing a personal mission statement, which is to be their motto stating what their life is about. Habit 3: Put First Things First – Prioritize, and do the most important things first.

Students will also be discussing stress and anger management techniques that will help to maintain their mental and emotional health.

Seventh grade students meet twice (Days 1 and 3) during a 6 day cycle during a quint rotation. First quint – Mrs. Storms homeroom Second quint - Mrs. Cassutt homeroom Third quint– Mr. Engel homeroom Fourth quint - Mrs. Jewett homeroom Fifth quint - Mrs. Lang homeroom

In **8th grade Guidance Exploratory class known as __Life Skills__,** students will develop a vision of what they want to do with their lives as it relates to careers. We will discuss why career planning is important and will introduce a decision making model to help them handle the tough decisions regarding their future. Students will be completing self-inventories to help them identify their interests and how their interests relate to occupational choices. The students will research careers that match their strengths and interests.

**Iowa Code** requires that all students, beginning in their 8th grade, create a course plan for high school which supports their career options and education plans. Each child must share the plan with a parent or guardian. As a parent, you should review the plan with your child and approve it with your signature. Please read the additional sheet that describes the IHaveaPlanIowa (IHAPI) – a web-based planning tool. This information is provided by the Iowa College Aid Commission. Each year, your child will complete the grade-specific Guideway in IHAPI. http://www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov

Students will also participate in 8th grade Career Day held in the spring of the school year.

Eighth grade students meet four times (Days 1, 3, 4 and 6) during a 6 day cycle for a quint rotation. First quint - Mrs. Wood homeroom Second quint - Mrs. Fink homeroom Third quint - Mr. Bushkofsky homeroom Fourth quint - Mrs. Smith homeroom Fifth quint - Mrs. Wegmann homeroom

Please contact me by either phone or email if you have any questions on the guidance curriculum. 563-927-3515 ext. 210 roxanneheinrichs@w-delaware.k12.ia.us

Ms. Heinrichs School Counselor West Delaware Middle School