Fifth Grade Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
5.1 The student will demonstrate the interpersonal skills necessary to build healthy relationships. Key concepts/skills include:
- the development of positive social skills;
- the use of refusal and conflict resolution skills;
- effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills that convey care, consideration, and respect for self and others.
Understanding the Standard
The student will exhibit positive social skills needed to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- define healthy relationships. (makes you feel good about yourself and you are more likely to choose healthful behaviors and make responsible decisions)
- describe positive social skills:
- listen without interrupting;
- consider the views of others when you disagree;
- consider the feelings of others before you act;
- use I-statements;
- follow through on what you agree to do;
- build others up rather than putting them down; and
- show respect and treat others in the same way you expect them to treat you.
Sample Lessons
Character Education Lesson Plan: Building A Better Me
Grade(s) 2-5
Lesson designed to teach elementary school children how to give compliments and show compassion.
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/nccep/lp/lp99h.html
Free
Education World> Communication Comparisons
Students work in teams to research and learn about methods of communication. They use graphic organizers to compare the methods and share findings with others. Students navigate the Internet and use print sources to find and record information on several types of communication, work in teams of three or four to choose three methods of communication to compare, work in teams to choose some type of graphic organizer to represent their findings and share them with peers.
Sponsor: Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_tsl/archives/01-1/lesson0018.shtml
Free
The Educator’s Reference Desk> Mystery Pictures: Following Oral Directions
Many children have difficulty accurately giving or following verbal instructions. The purpose of this lesson plan is to encourage students to focus on the importance of clear, oral communication. Students will distinguish between words/phrases that help clarify communication and those that impede it. Students will practice giving clear oral directions and will see the results produced by students who follow their instructions.
Sponsor: The Educator’s Reference Desk & Information Institute of Syracuse
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons.html
Free
"Friendship Qualities"
Grade 5
This lesson plan focuses on fifth graders learning the skills of recognizing valuable qualities in friendships and how to become better friends.
http://www.csee.net/LessonPlans.asp?id=12
Free
Intel Education: "Flat Stanley"
Grade(s) 3-5
In this lesson students read a story about "Flat Stanley," then afterwards make a flat friend to send to a class in another country. From this students learn skills of communicating with other people they normally do not talk to and cultural differences of the class they sent their flat friend to.
http://www97.intel.com/en/ProjectDesign/UnitPlanIndex/FlatStanley/
Free
LifeSkills Training
Grades: K-5
Model substance abuse prevention and competency enhancement program focusing on the major social and psychological factors causing substance use and abuse. Teaches drug resistance skills, personal management skills, and general social skills. Focuses on self-esteem, decision-making, influence of media, stress, communication, and assertiveness issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost
Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT)
Grades 5-10
Model program to prevent or reduce tobacco use in youth. Ten core and 2 booster lessons. Includes effective refusal and coping skills; effects of media and advertisers; methods to build self-esteem; and strategies for advocating no tobacco use.
Sponsor: Department of Preventive Medicine, USC
Contact: http://www.etr.org
Cost
Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies (PATHS)
Grades K-6
Model program to promote emotional & social competencies and reduce aggression and acting out. Includes emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State University and Channing Bete Company
Contact: http://www.preventionscience.com
Cost
Social Emotional Learning Lesson
Grade 5
Students will find strategies to deal with another’s anger and to accept consequences.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP5SamiandtheTime.htm
Free
Texas Department of Health
This lesson will help children recognize that personal health decisions and behaviors affect health throughout life. Following this lesson students will be able to identify and practice personal health habits that help individuals stay healthy. Sponsor: Texas Department of Health
Contact: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/kids/lessonplans/default.shtm
Free
"What did you say?"
Grade(s) 4-6
After participating in the lesson, the students should know why communication is important and the various ways people can communicate with each other, through their participation in the various activities.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/PEOWhatDidYouSayCommunication
Free
Who’s in the Bag?
Grades: 4-6
Many students do not know how to develop relationships. Their negative social attitudes and low self-esteem hinder interaction.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – mental health)
Free
Additional Instructional Resources
- American Museum of Natural History - http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/infection/
- Caring for Self and Others; Mental and Emotional Health; Respecting Myself and Others -
- HealthTeacher.com – http://www.healthteacher.com
- Do Bugs Need Drugs? - http://www.dobugsneeddrugs.org/teachers/index.html
- Get Smart Virginia - http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/getsmart/index.asp
- PBS Antibiotic Resistance - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/survival/clock/index.html and http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/10/4/l_104_03.html
- Penn State - http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/ParentsCount/pc11Dec03.pdf
- Save the Antibiotic - http://www.savetheantibiotic.com/public_html/index2/index2.html
- Social & Emotional Health – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/ (health & fitness 3-5)
- Social Skills Activities – http://www.wiley.com/cda/product/0,,0876281366,00.html
- Teaching Children About Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach – http://www.morton-pub.com – “Sexual Health, Family Life, and Relationships"
- Virtual Museum of Bacteria - http://bacteriamuseum.org/
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- role-play a disagreement between friends and the use of positive social skills.
- list five positive social skills.

