Social Awareness: Middle School

Identity

Belonging

Agency

Students reflect on how social identities (e.g., cultural, racial, class, gender, linguistic, ability) impact the way people view and interact with others, including those from diverse groups.

Students explore differences in emotional expression and communication norms across cultures and communities and how differences can contribute to misunderstandings, but also provide opportunity for growth. Students respond compassionately to others’ experiences and demonstrate care and concern.

Students co-construct all aspects of relationship-centered, just, and caring learning environments, including shared agreements and norms for engagement. Students question the inclusivity of the curriculum.

Students know when and where to proactively seek resources and supports and begin to understand the interdependence of members of a community.

Students reflect on how to build an accepting and inclusive learning community. Students collaborate to identify barriers to belonging for all individuals in their learning community. Students question the norms of groups and systems in healthy ways.

Students examine and reflect on how individuals act on their explicit and implicit bias, how some policies can contribute to injustice, and the damaging impact this can have on others and our society. Students explore intent versus impact.

Students accurately recognize inequities and community needs and collaborate with adults and peers to take action on real world issues in support of a more inclusive, caring, healthy, and just community.