CORE LESSONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle School SEL Curriculum
Core Lessons gives educators a practical way to help middle school students strengthen the personal and interpersonal skills they use every day.
Lessons combine activities, discussion, and reflection around topics such as relationships, communication, decision making, resilience, belonging, and self-awareness.
There are no complicated materials or scripts to follow. Teachers have enough structure to feel prepared while still having the flexibility to make the conversation their own.
THE APPROACH
Learning through experience
Core Lessons are designed to get students involved. Rather than only talking about a concept, students have opportunities to experience it, think about it, and connect it to their own lives.
That might mean working through a challenge together, considering a different perspective, practicing a difficult conversation, reflecting on a personal experience, or discussing something that matters to them.
The experiences are simple by design. What happens during them, and the conversations that follow, are where much of the learning takes place.
FOR EDUCATORS
Practical by design
Teachers and counselors are capable of creating meaningful experiences for students. What they often don't have is extra time to find activities, develop discussion questions, gather supplies, and build lessons from scratch.
Core Lessons provides that structure. Lessons are simply formatted, require little preparation, and use minimal supplies.
Teachers bring their own experience, personality, and relationships with students. Core Lessons gives them a reliable place to start.
GRADES 6-8
Made for middle school
Middle school students are quick to recognize when something feels forced or too young for them. We've kept that in mind throughout the curriculum.
Activities are interactive without being juvenile. Discussions are straightforward and give students opportunities to participate without expecting them to share more than they're comfortable with.
SIMPLE STRUCTURE
How a Core Lesson works
While activities vary from lesson to lesson, the basic process is simple.
20+ YEARS
Developed through real experience
The Core Project has worked directly with students and educators for more than 20 years. Core Lessons reflects what we've learned during that time.
We've seen which activities get students involved, which questions lead to good discussions, what tends to fall flat, and what is realistic for educators to facilitate during an already busy school day.
Our approach is also informed by research on experiential learning, supportive adult relationships, student development, and school connectedness.
CORE LESSONS SUBSCRIPTION
Everything included with Core Lessons
Each Core Lessons subscription includes three years of ready-to-use middle school curriculum with 35 lessons per year, unlimited educator access, digital and print-ready lessons, assessment tools, video tutorials, implementation resources, and ongoing support.
Want additional support? In-person Core Lessons training gives staff an opportunity to experience the curriculum firsthand and strengthen their facilitation skills.
GET A SAMPLE
Preview a Middle School Lesson
See what a Core Lesson actually looks like. Fill out the form to preview a complete lesson and get a better feel for the experience, format, and approach.