Junior Social Skills and Work Habits
Philosophy
The Sage School social skills and work habits curriculum is designed to complement the schools mission to effectively educate the whole academically gifted child. Through daily academic instruction combined with skill-specific lessons, students at The Sage School begin to learn the practical as well as social and emotional competencies needed to be responsible citizens in the world around them. The school understands that well-rounded students must have information about health and wellness issues they face in their everyday lives; thus students participate in health/wellness classes throughout the year.
As outlined in the school's mission statement, the social skills and work habits curriculum depends on active communication between the school and students parents/guardians through monthly newsletters, email, Friday folders, and written feedback on student work. The school believes ongoing conversation that involves several arenas of students lives best serves the students physical, social, and emotional needs.
The school recognizes that children often learn critical physical, social, and emotional skills through group meetings and discussions. Thus, efforts are made to teach students how to respect and effectively respond to their peers; through guided conversations with teachers and students, community service opportunities, as well as through role modeling. Through these interactions, students learn how to refine and reinforce these life skills.
Content
The social skills and work habits curriculum is designed to further students knowledge and understanding of themselves and their place in the world around them. As students go through the Junior Division, they continue to augment the skills obtained in the Prime Division, such as respect for others and self, personal responsibility, and time management. Teachers begin work with students on stress management, test anxiety, conflict management, cooperation, tolerance, and keeping peace.
Each student receives a news magazine written especially for children and this magazine is the basis for many current events discussions. Teachers also require that students keep a journal, giving the students an additional healthy outlet for their thoughts and feelings. One of the Junior Divisions charges is to help students strengthen their organizational skills. Accordingly, teachers help students to become independent in organizing their academic work, their time and work habits, and their personal belongings.
In an effort to prepare students for new requirements on standardized tests and to reinforce the importance of legibility in written communication, the social skills and work habits curriculum also emphasizes routine handwriting practice to increase student fluency in cursive.
Skills
First Year Juniors are given manuscript and cursive instruction throughout the year, as they progress students are encouraged to write in cursive on all assignments.
Second Year Juniors continue cursive instruction and practice; manuscript is accepted on assignments until January when cursive becomes the requirement.
Third year Juniors continue cursive practice and are required to write in legible cursive at all times and in every subject area.
All Juniors are exposed to the following:
- Time Management
- Communication Skills
- Cooperative Work Skills
- Peace Keeping Skills
- Community Service
- Personal Responsibility
- Respect for others and self
- Self-reflection
