EDUCATION / BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT

Grades 6-8

“The series is highly recommended and will prove invaluable to school professionals with structured lesson plans and supplementary materials to help all students succeed.”
—Lori Ernsperger, Ph.D., BCBA-D,
Executive Director of Behavioral Training Resource Center

“My colleagues and I have conducted several studies on the curricula in the Strong Kids series and have been impressed with how easily public school educators have been able to implement these with fidelity. We have also documented improvements in students’ internalizing symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression) following implementation of Strong Kids.”
—Paul Caldarella, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Brigham Young University

Developed by a team of educational and mental health experts, this evidence-based, age-appropriate curriculum is

• Low cost and low tech

Other programs in Strong Kids™: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum

• Merrell’s Strong Start—Pre-K: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum
• Merrell’s Strong Start—Grades K–2: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum
• Merrell’s Strong Kids—Grades 3–5: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum
• Merrell’s Strong Teens—Grades 9–12: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum

Sample lesson from Merrell's Strong Start—Grades 6–8: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum, Second Edition by Dianna Carrizales-Engelmann, Ph.D., Laura L. Feuerborn, Ph.D., Barbara A. Gueldner, Ph.D., & Oanh K. Tran, Ph.D.

Merrell’s Strong Kids—Grades 6–8

A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum

Second Edition

by Dianna Carrizales-Engelmann, Ph.D., University of Oregon
Laura L. Feuerborn, Ph.D., University of Washington, Tacoma
Barbara A. Gueldner, Ph.D., Successful Kids Today
Oanh K. Tran, Ph.D., California State University, East Bay

Contents

• About the Downloadable Material ... vi
• About the Authors ... ix
• Foreword Hill M. Walker ... xi
• Acknowledgments ... xiii

Section I Introduction and Overview

• Chapter 1 About Strong Kids ... 3
• Chapter 2 Preparing Your Lessons and Your Students ... 17
• Chapter 3 Overview of the Lessons ... 27
• Chapter 4 What’s New: Updates to Strong Kids and Strong Teens ... 33

Section II The Strong Kids—Grades 6–8 Curriculum

• Lesson 1 About Strong Kids: Emotional Strength Training ... 45
• Lesson 2 Understanding Your Emotions 1 ... 61
• Lesson 3 Understanding Your Emotions 2 ... 75
• Lesson 4 Understanding Other People’s Emotions ... 89
• Lesson 5 Dealing with Anger ... 103
• Lesson 6 Clear Thinking 1 ... 121
• Lesson 7 Clear Thinking 2 ... 137
• Lesson 8 Solving People Problems ... 155
• Lesson 9 Letting Go of Stress ... 171
• Lesson 10 Positive Living ... 189
• Lesson 11 Creating Strong and SMART Goals ... 213
• Lesson 12 Finishing UP! ... 229

Section III Appendices

• Appendix A Strong Kids Knowledge Test for Students in Grades 6–8 ... 247
• Appendix B Basic Fidelity Checklist ... 253

About the Authors

Dianna Carrizales-Engelmann, Ph.D.

Dianna Carrizales-Engelmann is currently an instructor at the University of Oregon in Eugene specializing in performance assessment for teacher preparation.

Laura L. Feuerborn, Ph.D.

Dr. Feuerborn is Associate Professor at the University of Washington, Tacoma, and is a nationally certified school psychologist.

Barbara A. Gueldner, Ph.D.

Dr. Gueldner is a licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist who works with children and families in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Oanh K. Tran, Ph.D.

Dr. Tran teaches in the Child Clinical/School Psychology (CCSP) Program at California State University, East Bay.

Lesson 6: Clear Thinking 1

Purpose and Objectives

This lesson teaches students an awareness and understanding of common thinking traps. In this lesson, students will

• Understand the influence of thoughts on emotions and responsible behaviors
• Develop an awareness of their own thoughts
• Identify common thinking traps that affect thoughts and emotions

Materials Needed

• Supplements
• Optional props (dark glasses, binoculars, and fortune cookie)

Activity

Activity A: Thoughts Associated with Emotions

• Use visual aids to assist students in understanding the connection between thoughts and emotions.

Identifying Thinking Traps

Use visual aids to explain common thinking traps and engage students in discussions about their own experiences.

Review

5 MINS. Review the ideas discussed in Lesson 5: Dealing with Anger.

Closure

2 MINS. Close the lesson using a brief breathing activity and a reflection on the lesson content.