Introduction to Second Step
Dear Family,
We want your child to be successful in school and that means supporting and encouraging their whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, students also need skills to take on learning challenges, make good decisions, handle strong emotions, and get along with others. Over the last few weeks, we have begun Second Step® Middle School, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management, impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help students both in and out of school. These include:
Mindsets and Goals: Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply research-based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
Recognizing Bullying and Harassment: Students learn how to recognize bullying and harassment, stand up safely to bullying, and respond appropriately to harassment.
Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn how to recognize strong emotions and unhelpful thoughts, and apply strategies to manage their emotions and reduce stress.
Managing Relationships and Social Conflict: Students learn strategies for developing and maintaining healthy relationships, perspective-taking, and dealing with conflict.
6th Grade Resources
Unit One - Mindsets and Goals
Lesson 1 - Starting Middle School
Lesson 2 - How to Grow Your Brain
Lesson 3 - Trying New Strategies
Lesson 4 - Making Goals Specific
Lesson 5 - Breaking Down Your Goals
Lesson 6 - Monitoring Your Progress
Lesson 7 - Bringing it All Together
Unit Two - Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
Lesson 8 - Common Types of Bullying
Lesson 9 - Recognizing Bullying
Lesson 10 - Responding to Cyberbullying
Lesson 11 - How to Be an Upstander
Lesson 12 - Standing Up and Staying Safe
Lesson 13 - Raising Awareness about Bullying
Unit Three - Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Lesson 14 - What Emotions Tell You
Lesson 15 - Emotions and Your Brain
Lesson 16 - How Emotions Affect Your Decisions
Lesson 17 - Managing Your Emotions
Lesson 18 - What Works Best for You?
Lesson 19 - Raising Awareness about Managing Emotions
Unit Four - Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
Lesson 20 - We’re Changing
Lesson 21 - Why Conflicts Arise
Lesson 22 - Considering Multiple Perspectives
Lesson 23 - Respectful Communication
Lesson 24 - Resolving Challenging Conflicts
Lesson 25 - Making Amends
Lesson 26 - Conflict Solvers
7th Grade Resources
Unit One - Mindsets and Goals
Lesson 1 - Helping New Students
Lesson 2 - Creating New Pathways in Your Brain
Lesson 3 - Learning from Mistakes and Failures
Lesson 4 - Identifying Roadblocks
Lesson 5 - Overcoming Roadblocks
Lesson 6 - Overcoming Roadblocks 2
Lesson 7 - Advice on Roadblocks
Unit Two - Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
Lesson 8 - What is Harassment?
Lesson 9 - What is Sexual Harassment?
Lesson 10 - The Effects of Sexual Harassment
Lesson 11 - Gender Based Harassment
Lesson 12 - Your Rights and Responsibilities
Lesson 13 - Preventing Harassment
Unit Three - Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Lesson 14 - Emotions Matter
Lesson 15 - Feel, Think, Do
Lesson 16 - Unhelpful Thoughts
Lesson 17 - Reframing Unhelpful Thoughts
Lesson 18 - Practicing Positive Self-Talk
Lesson 19 - Making Better Decisions
Unit Four - Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
Lesson 20 - What Makes a Conflict Escalate?
Lesson 21 - Keeping Your Cool in a Conflict
Lesson 22 - Conflicts and Perspectives
Lesson 23 - Resolving Conflicts Part 1
Lesson 24 - Resolving Conflicts Part 2
Lesson 25 - Taking Responsibility for your Actions
Lesson 26 - Tips for Resolving Conflicts
8th Grade Resources
Unit One - Mindsets and Goals
Lesson 1 - Welcome
Lesson 2 - Who am I? My Identity
Lesson 3 - My Interests and Strengths
Lesson 4 - Harnessing My Strengths
Lesson 5 - Pursuing My Goals
Lesson 6 - My Future Self
Lesson 7 - My Path Forward
Unit Two - Recognizing Bullying and Harassment
Lesson 8 - Understanding Bullying
Lesson 9 - Social Factors that Contribute to Bullying
Lesson 10 - Environmental Factors that Contribute to Bullying
Lesson 11 - Speak Up and Start a Movement
Lesson 12 - Be Inclusive and Change Policies
Lesson 13 - Stand Up for Change
Unit Three - Thoughts, Emotions and Decisions
Lesson 14 - Understanding Stress and Anxiety
Lesson 15 - Where Does Stress Come From?
Lesson 16 - Can Stress Help You Grow?
Lesson 17 - Strategies for Managing Stress
Lesson 18 - Changing Strategies and Getting Help
Lesson 19 - My Stress Management Plan
Unit Four - Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
Lesson 20 - My Values
Lesson 21 - Values and Relationships
Lesson 22 - Recognizing Others’ Perspectives
Lesson 23 - Finding the Best Solution
Lesson 24 - Making Things Right
Lesson 25 - Unhealthy Relationships
Lesson 26 - Guide to Healthy Relationships
Lesson 27 - High School Challenges