Social-awareness & Interpersonal Skills-6th-8th Grade

Use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships.

Recognize the feelings and perspectives of others. Recognize the feelings and perspectives of others by following the teachings of Jesus.

Recognize individual and group similarities and differences. Recognize that everyone is created in the image and likeness of God.

Use communication and social skills to interact effectively with others. Recognize that our Catholic faith affects our interactions with others.

Demonstrate an ability to prevent, manage, and resolve interpersonal conflicts in constructive ways. Recognize the need for prayer and forgiveness in resolving interpersonal conflicts.

Identify and practice reflective listening skills.

Talk about the feelings and perspectives of characters in books and Scripture, i.e., bibliotherapy.

Identify the feelings and perspective of others through group discussions. 

Describe how one’s own behavior might affect the feelings of others.

Analyze why both parties in a conflict feel as they do. 

Recall a situation where their behavior impacted the feelings of others either positively or negatively. 

Provide support to others who are experiencing problems.

Compare and contrast the perspectives of two Biblical characters, e.g., Jesus and Pilate; David and Goliath; Peter and Judas; Mary and Martha, etc. 

Demonstrate respect for members of various ethnic and religious groups. 

Identify negative depictions of differences among people (e.g., gender stereotyping, discrimination against socioeconomic or culture minorities, prejudices based on misinformation) in readings completed for coursework.

Explain how a lack of understanding of social and cultural differences can contribute to intolerance.

Evaluate ways of overcoming a lack of understanding of those who are different. 

Describe strategies for preventing or stopping bullying.

Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for preventing or stopping bullying.

Explain how the Catholic faith teaches tolerance.

Find Scripture passages that help to understand the importance of tolerance.

Recognize the difference between positive and negative relationships.

Respond non-defensively to criticism or accusation.

Describe and demonstrate strategies for maintaining positive relationships (e.g., pursuing shared interests and activities, spending time together, giving and receiving help, practicing forgiveness).

Differentiate among passive, assertive, and aggressive responses to peer pressure.

Learn to maintain an objective, non-judgmental tone during disagreements.

Use self-reflection to determine how to stop the spread of gossip.

Describe how the apostles interacted with Jesus and each other. 

Recognize that conflict is a natural part of life.

Analyze different approaches to dealing with conflict (e.g., avoidance, compliance, negotiation, prayer). 

List characteristics of friends who are a healthy or an unhealthy influence. 

Evaluate the effectiveness of various strategies for dealing with negative peer pressure (e.g. ignoring it, changing the subject, calling attention to negative consequences, suggesting alternatives).

Practice negotiation skills in pairs, taking the perspective of both parties into account.

Explain the concept of a win-win resolution to conflict.

Discuss how prayer and Sacraments can help in resolving conflicts.

Identify examples of conflict resolution in the Gospels.