Changes & Challenges

Possible Topics - 6th Grade

• Classes will be taught in same-gender, same-grade groups unless noted.
• Educators recognize that students have varying degrees of interest and maturity in dealing with the topics. They will seek to protect students’ modesty and innocence while also being honest, gentle, and straightforward about what students need to know.
• Some topics may not be discussed, depending on students’ needs and maturity. Topics may also be taught out of sequence, depending on the school schedule.
• The specific schedule of topics and other information for the school year will be posted on RenWeb. Go to the parents’ web link on RenWeb and click on “Teacher’s Web Page” beside Life Curriculum (LFCR-6).
• Students will be encouraged to continue discussion of these topics with parents and/or other trusted adults. At times, there may be assignments to encourage communication between students and their parents.

Title	Topics
Introduction	Introduce class; outline topics; discuss expectations
Communicating in the Loop	Goals of communication; communication cycle; breakdowns in the communication cycle
Are You Listening?	Tips for listening accurately and speaking clearly; asking clarifying questions
I-messages	Parts of I-message; using I-messages
Dealing with Anger	Root of anger; strategies for reducing and dealing with anger
Understanding Conflict	Understanding how conflict starts and escalates
Communicating Tough Stuff	Strategies for dealing with cliques, bullying, teasing, harassment
Being a Good Friend	Characteristics of good friends
Friendly Influences	How friends positively and negatively influence one’s attitudes and behaviors
Healthy Friendships	Identify characteristics of healthy friendships
Standing Firm	How to handle positive and negative peer pressure
Setting Boundaries	Determine appropriate boundaries with same and opposite gender peers and adults; developing refusal skills to use in uncomfortable, unsafe situations
Emotions on Overload	Mood swings in adolescence; triggers for anger and sadness
Internet Know-How	Impact of internet use on personal life and relationships; pros/cons of social networking
Internet and Media Safety	Protective strategies and monitoring use of internet; safety from online predators; discerning media use, including internet, video games, TV, movies, and music
Puberty	Girls—understanding female development and the menstrual cycle; practical ways of dealing with the cycle; figuring the timing throughout menstrual cycle; Boys—timeline of male development; dealing with sexual urges
Puberty	Questions and answers from previous week
Puberty from a Different Perspective	Girls— understanding male development; Boys— understanding female development and the menstrual cycle
The Mind’s View	How the eye completes visual lines; how visual images create emotional connections; Girls--dressing fashionably with modesty and determining your image; Boys—understanding your visual rolodex and how to deal with it
Relating Together	Healthy relationships between guys and girls; surviving a crush
Looking Both Ways	Feeling positive about changes and challenges; looking forward to junior high life
Evaluation of Changes and Challenges	Class evaluation and discussion on the impact of the curriculum

Page Updated 11/18/08