Middle school students take a different approach to social-emotional learning. The Middle School Core approaches social-emotional skills through a decision-making lens. Students investigate each character strength to determine what it is and isn’t and then weigh the advantages/disadvantages of adopting a character strength and corresponding behaviors. Digital books also include a variety of school and work- based scenarios in which the character strength can be applied. Students are encouraged to work together in small groups to complete the scenario through responsible decision-making. Lesson plans support increased rigor with a menu of student activities that include problem-solving, research, and decision-making. Throughout the lesson, students have an opportunity to practice creating positive relationships with their peers.
Research Behind the Middle School Core
Middle school students require a more analytical approach to social-emotional learning. Exploring the advantages and disadvantages to adopting a character strength and related behaviors in one’s life is developmentally appropriate & challenging for middle school students. Research suggests that middle school students often learn best collaborating with peers, participating in active role play or discussion, Research supports the fact that continuous, purposeful, and systematic social-emotional learning instruction provides many positive outcomes, including skills valuable for college & career readiness.
Employers cite the following skills as essential to success in the workplace:
- • Problem-Solving & Collaboration
- Leadership, Empathy & Ethics
- Research Skills
- Responsible Decision-Making
- Communication
Research also supports a link between social-emotional learning skills and character.
Cloud9World offers a plethora of online resources for schools implementing this product to create a schoolwide cultural shift. Videos, games, morning announcements, books, and curriculum all add to the schoolwide focus on a single strength throughout the month. The monthly parent newsletter provides parents with helpful tips in helping their teens to build social-emotional skills.
Middle School Core at Home
Many core skills can be reinforced at home. This product provides parents with plenty of resources including cards that explain each skill & how it can be reinforced at home and a monthly parent newsletter. The Home Connection with each lesson provides parents with activities to do at home with teens to encourage their application of new social-emotional skills.
Professional Development Opportunities
Professional development for the Middle School Core is available on site. Contact Cloud9World to schedule on-site professional learning. As part of the training, teachers will examine each of the Middle School product components and how they can be implemented to increase social-emotional, and academic learning.