Utley Middle School increased guidance during the 2019-20 school year for all students on metacognitive, personal and leadership skills by implementing the Rachel’s Challenge First 5 Minutes book by Darrell and Sandy Scott.
Each subject area had a day of the week for guidance activity so students could spend five minutes a day on guidance.
- Monday - Math classes discussed acts of kindness and were given a target for acts of kindness for the next week.
- Tuesday - English classes reflected and journaled on a quote of the week, then discussed how it made them feel and how it relates to their lives.
- Wednesday - Social Studies classes journaled and discussed ethical questions and scenarios.
- Thursday - Science classes discussed a topic of the week emphasizing soft skills, values and responsibility.
- Friday - Elective classes wrote letters of kindness to a new target each week.
By using only five minutes a day, students received 15 hours of social/emotional training and guidance over the course of the school year. The goal is to increase awareness of the power each student holds to choose kindness, empathy and community.
By having discussions with peers and adults regularly, the students are empowered with support to improve the culture and community at Utley Middle School.
