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Independent reading – “How to be a good friend” Newsela article.  Students will complete a 4-question multiple choice quiz over the article.

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Some tips for making and keeping true friends.

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Gossiping and rumors whole class discussion.  Students will discuss as a whole class what is gossiping and rumors and how this affects them and others.  Why is it important not to participate in gossiping and rumors?  How can they make good meaningful friendships?

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o   Students will develop effective decision-making skills.

o   Students will take responsibility for their own behaviors.

o   Students will develop self-management skills.

o   Students know that communication involves speaking, listening, and nonverbal behavior.

o   Students will use communication skills to know when and how to ask for help.

o   Students will understand the need for personal boundaries.

o   Students will understand individual rights and privacy needs of others.

o   Students will develop and use conflict resolution skills.

o   Students will define healthy and unhealthy relationships.

o   Students will identify characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

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The purpose of this group is to help students understand what acceptable behaviors are, how to self-manage behaviors, and they will be able to have effective decision-making skills. They will learn skills to help them be better listeners and how to set appropriate boundaries as well as learn how to interact positively with their peers and other adults.  They will be able to learn conflict resolution skills.

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Haukom, G. (2018, May). Georgia Haukom: The effects of lying [Video file]. Retrieved

from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbftlDzIALA&t=1s

Howcast. (2012, February 14). How to Handle Gossip & Rumors | Middle School [Video].

YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL4b7SK0ZLU

“How to be a good friend.” WikiHow via Newsela. Edited by Newsela Staff, Version

Lexile, 10/22/2019.

Conway, J. (2013, January). Jeff Conway: Redirecting Gossip [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kVIErLCcrE

Texas Education Agency. (2018). The Texas model for comprehensive school

counseling programs (5th ed.). Texas Counseling Association.

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Pub_2018_Texas-Model_5th-Edition.pdf.

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o   The group will be organized and structured by the counselor.

o   The number of students in the group will depend on the need’s assessment and how many identified students are provided to the counselor.

o   The group will meet once bi-weekly for 30 minutes for 6 weeks.

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o      Students will develop effective decision-making skills.

o      Students will take responsibility for their own behaviors.

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How to Handle Gossip & Rumors | Middle School

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Watch “The Effects of Lying” | Georgia Haukom | TEDxKids@ElCajon and complete Ted Talk worksheet.

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The Effects of Lying | Georgia Haukom | TEDxKids@ElCajon

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A needs assessment was conducted by a teacher/staff survey.   A survey was conducted by google form needs assessment.  This was conducted to see what needs stood out the most with 8th grade students and their teachers.  The highest need that was identified was gossip and rumors.   It was determined that it would be best to complete small group learning to be able to meet the students that require these lessons the most.