Knowing yourself in middle school
Students start the year by noticing their own emotions, strengths, and what trips them up. They learn to name what they feel and see how moods shape choices at school and at home.
What does a student learn in
This is the stretch when students start watching their own reactions and asking why they feel what they feel. They learn to cool down before reacting, plan ahead for a hard test or a busy week, and see a situation from a classmate's side even when it is uncomfortable. Friendships get more complicated, so they practice working through conflict and knowing when to ask an adult for help. By spring, students can name a strong feeling, pause, and pick a next step they will not regret.
- Self-awareness
- Managing emotions
- Empathy
- Healthy friendships
- Conflict resolution
- Responsible choices
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Managing stress and staying on track
Students build habits for handling pressure, from tests to friend drama. They practice calming down before reacting, keeping track of assignments, and setting goals they can actually reach.
- 3
Seeing things from other points of view
Students work on empathy and understanding people who come from different backgrounds. They also learn who to turn to at school, at home, and in the community when something is hard.
- 4
Building strong relationships
Students practice listening, working in groups, and talking through disagreements without making them worse. They learn how to ask for help and how to offer it when a classmate is struggling.
- 5
Making thoughtful choices
Students learn to slow down before big decisions and think through what could happen next. They weigh how a choice affects them and the people around them, including online.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 6.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning
- Grades 6-8
The abilities to understand one's own emotions, thoughts
Students learn to name their own emotions and recognize what shapes how they act. They also take stock of what they're good at and where they need to grow.
- Grades 6-8
The abilities to manage emotions, thoughts
Students practice keeping their emotions and reactions in check across different situations, setting goals, and staying organized enough to follow through on them.
- Grades 6-8
The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathise with others…
Students practice seeing situations from someone else's point of view, including people whose backgrounds differ from their own. They also learn to spot the adults and resources around them at school, at home, and in their community who can help.
- Grades 6-8
The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships…
Students practice the skills that keep relationships healthy: listening well, working through disagreements, and asking for or offering help when it matters.
- Grades 6-8
The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior…
Students practice making choices that are good for themselves and the people around them. They weigh what could go right or wrong before acting, especially in situations where people have different backgrounds or needs.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| The abilities to understand one's own emotions, thoughts Grades 6-8 | Students learn to name their own emotions and recognize what shapes how they act. They also take stock of what they're good at and where they need to grow. | MA-SEL.1.6-8 |
| The abilities to manage emotions, thoughts Grades 6-8 | Students practice keeping their emotions and reactions in check across different situations, setting goals, and staying organized enough to follow through on them. | MA-SEL.2.6-8 |
| The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathise with others… Grades 6-8 | Students practice seeing situations from someone else's point of view, including people whose backgrounds differ from their own. They also learn to spot the adults and resources around them at school, at home, and in their community who can help. | MA-SEL.3.6-8 |
| The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships… Grades 6-8 | Students practice the skills that keep relationships healthy: listening well, working through disagreements, and asking for or offering help when it matters. | MA-SEL.4.6-8 |
| The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior… Grades 6-8 | Students practice making choices that are good for themselves and the people around them. They weigh what could go right or wrong before acting, especially in situations where people have different backgrounds or needs. | MA-SEL.5.6-8 |