5th Grade Guidance

Fifth grade is a wonderful age when children are on the brink of adolescence and
exploring who they are and what they want to be. Communication takes on
increased importance as students navigate friendships and the ever-changing
dynamics of the parent-child relationship. In recognition of these changes I will be
spending time during guidance class every other week exploring who we are and the
choices we make, while helping students appreciate the wide diversity of
personalities, abilities, interests, and ideas that their peers present. Communicating
effectively and respectfully with others will be a focal part of all guidance lessons.

Some topics that we will discuss during 5th grade guidance will be: How to be a
Successful Student (Creating Schedules, Test Taking Tips), Respect, Bullying,
Relationships, Meditation, Career Exploration, Goal-Setting, Internet/Technology
Safety, Conflict Resolution, Cultural Diversity and Leadership.

Please look below for guidance lesson information.

 5th Grade Guidance Curriculum
Introduction to Middle School
During our first week, students will be introduced to and discuss the expectations for
guidance class. Through an ice breaker activity, the students will come together and bond as
members of the Boyce Middle School family.

Discipline Code/Harassment Policy

Through open discussion prompted by the counselor and principal, the students will have
an understanding of the disciplinary code and will be able to define and give examples of
harassment. Students will also be made aware of the harassment policy.

Organization Skills/Time Management

Students will learn to acquire organizational tips for succeeding in Middle School. They
will also understand the importance of organizing their after school time. Students will then use
that knowledge to create their own personal after school time management plan. Using a video
that introduces time management skills and scenarios, students will be able to use those
situations as a jumping off point to share their time management and organizational tips from
their past.

Emotions and Behavior

In this two-part unit, students will be able to define the word emotion and give examples.
This unit is particularly helpful so that students become aware of how to behave correctly in
different situations throughout life. Students will understand that all emotions are acceptable,
but not all behaviors are acceptable. Students will also be asked to represent emotions and
feelings through the use of drawings and written examples of times when they feel particular
emotions.

Emotional IQ
After the introduction of how emotions affect behavior, students will understand what
emotional IQ is and why it is important. Through open discussion of the different types of
intelligences, academic, social and emotional, students will use this added dimension to make
healthy decisions concerning their feelings.

Bullying
Students will discuss bullying encounters, whether as a victim, bully or bystander. They
will also understand how feelings of anger, fear, sadness, and loneliness can leave invisible
scars. The counselor will use different images and scenarios as prompts to have students act out
appropriate and inappropriate responses to situations.

Self-Esteem
By identifying positive characteristics of themselves, students will learn the difference
between having a healthy and optimistic self-esteem and bragging.

Conflict Resolution
Because conflict is unavoidable at any age and sometimes problematic at this age,
students embark upon a unit to define conflict, and learn how to effectively handle conflict
using proper techniques and behaviors. Students will also become aware of their specific
responses to conflict and how that awareness helps them to see a conflict from all perspectives.
They will learn to solve conflicts using a win-win model. The counselor also explains the benefits
and use of mediators and the rules of fighting fair.
Refusal Skills
The counselor will introduce and explain five different ways to say no and practice the
skills with the students. By gaining an understanding of how peer pressure affects the ability to
say yes or no, students will be better equipped to handle future situations.

Diversity/Accepting Differences
Students will recognize the importance of respecting diversity, explore social problems of
stereotyping and distinguish unfair treatment of others.

Human Growth and Development*

This unit is directed toward helping students understand the many physiological and
emotional changes taking place at this time of their growth and development. During this unit,
the boys and girls will be in separate groups.

Drugs and Alcohol

This unit will introduce the students to the dangers of different drugs, such as alcohol,
tobacco, and inhalants. Students will then be able to identify the short and long-term effects of
drugs and how their decisions can affect themselves and others.

Career Development
Students will use an Explorer Career Guide to help them identify possible careers of
interest.

Service Learning
Students will participate in a community service project. This will enable them to
understand the many benefits of helping others.

*Prior to this unit, parents will be notified via e-alert with additional information regarding the lessons and
will be given the opportunity to allow their child to opt out.