Sixth Grade
The sixth grade students had a combination of health and guidance
classes this semester. They all received books to put their assigned
journal entries in. Journals will be utilized throughout the year for
self-reflection and evaluation of learning. Students were introduced to
“The Great Body Shop” (a 6th grade health curriculum) and “Project
Alert, (an alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention curriculum. Using
many different teaching techniques, including adventure-based
experiential learning, we were able to cover the following topics:
listening, nonverbal communication, cooperation, team building;
critical thinking, predicting consequences, decision making: peer
pressure, media pressure and negative consequences to smoking.
Seventh Grade
When the seventh grade students returned from “Smoky House,” (our
School to Work Program) the health and guidance classes were combined.
Each student received a book to put assigned journal entries in.
Journals will be utilized throughout the year for self- reflection and
evaluation of learning. Using many different teaching techniques,
including adventure-based experiential learning, we were able to cover
the following topics: friendships, relationships, stress management and
relaxation techniques, and the dangers of inhalants. Students were
introduced to the “The Great Body Shop,” covering critical thinking and
healthy decision making. On October 22nd, they began the newly
developed (2003) 7th grade DARE program which is more advanced than the
5th grade DARE. program .
Eighth Grade
To date, the eighth grade students participated in guidance classes. We
began preparing students for transition by visiting Burr and Burton
Academy and Long Trail School. This helps students see that there is
life after TDS. In guidance, using many different teaching techniques,
including adventure-based experiential learning, we addressed the
following topics: self-awareness and self-reflection; listening,
nonverbal communication, cooperation, team building; goal setting and
obstacles to reaching goals. The Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union
(BRSU) has contracted with Balanced Educational services to provide our
eighth-grade students a short course on healthy relationships. The
topics include: quality/characteristics of a safe, healthy, satisfying
relationship, healthy boundaries, support systems, assertiveness, signs
of dangerous relationships, cycle of violence, sexual violence, and
date rape. Students will begin a series of health related classes in
January.