Emotional and Social Growth and Development – 7^th grade  (go back)

Middle-schoolers are grappling with the many aspects of maturity; physical, emotional, social and intellectual. We cover all the bases, from a discussion of male and female reproductive systems to emotional and social growth. We take a close look at acceptable and unacceptable behaviors including bullying and harassment.

This program emphasizes the following components:
•  physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development during adolescence;
•  changes that adolescents face as they move from childhood through puberty to adulthood;
•  male and female reproductive systems, embryology, labor, and birth;
•  abstinence and responsibility are emphasized;
•  topics related to emotional and psycho-social growth and development such as: building healthy social supports, developing positive self-esteem and self-efficacy, anger management, depression, peer pressure, negotiating skills, stress management, and risk-taking behaviors;
•  significant discussion of anger management and violence prevention;
•  promoting academic achievement as an important aspect of intellectual development; and
•  concrete examples of personal goal setting that relate to each of the main goals.

Program Goals:

GOAL #1:  Students will examine the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth that occurs throughout the human lifespan.
GOAL #2:  Students will accept that strong emotions including happiness, sadness, anger, and love are a normal part of physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.
GOAL #3:  Students will learn skills tools to help them express the strong emotions experienced throughout the human lifespan in a healthful and socially appropriate manner.

Supports State Goals:
•  22.A.3a Identify and describe ways to reduce health risks common to adolescent;
•  22.A.3b Identify how positive health practices and relevant health care can help reduce health risk;
•  22.B.3 Describe how the individual influences the health and well-being of the workplace and the community;
•  23.A.3 Explain how body systems interact with each other;
•  23.B.3 Explain the effects of health-related actions upon body systems;
•  23.C.3 Describe the relationships among physical, mental and social health factors during adolescence;
•  24.A.3a Describe possible causes and consequences of conflict and violence among youth in schools and communities;
•  24.A.3b Demonstrate methods for addressing interpersonal differences without harm;
•  24.A.3c Explain how positive communication helps to build and maintain relationships at school, at home and in the workplace;
•  24.B.3 Apply a decision-making process to an individual health concern and
•  24.C.3 Apply refusal and negotiation skills to potentially harmful situations.