School Counseling Core Curriculum - by grade level

What Are the Objectives of the School Counseling Program's Core Curriculum Lessons? 

All elementary school counselors in Loudoun County are required to teach the following objectives from the three major domains:  academic development, career development and personal/social development from the “Standards for School Counseling Programs in Virginia Public Schools.” 

Kindergarten

Academic

  • Understand the expectations of the educational environment

  • Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed

  • Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

  • Demonstrate goal setting

Personal/Social

  • Demonstrate good manners and respectful behavior towards others 

     

FIRST GRADE

Academic

  • Understand the importance of individual effort, hard work, and persistence

  • Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed

  • Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

  • Understand the concept of job and career

  • Understand the importance of teamwork in working towards a common goal

Personal/Social

  • Understand how to make and keep friends and work cooperatively with others

  • Identify resource people in the school and community and understand how to seek their help

Second Grade

Academic

  • Demonstrate individual initiative and a positive interest in learning

  • Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed

  • Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

  • Understand that behaviors such as punctuality, courtesy, proper dress and proper language are essential to current and future success

Personal/Social

  • Exhibit the principles of character, including honesty, trustworthiness, respect for the rights and property of others, respect for rules and laws, taking responsibility for one’s own actions, fairness, caring, and citizenship

Third Grade

Academic

  • Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed

  • Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

Career

  • Understand the relationship of individual effort, hard work and persistence to achievement

Personal/Social

  • Understand that Americans are one people of many diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and national origins who are united as Americans by common customs and traditions

  • Understand the importance of short term and long term goals

Fourth Grade

Academic

  • Demonstrate time management and organizational skills

  • Apply study skills necessary for academic achievement

Career

  • Recognize the benefits of both individual initiative and teamwork

  • Identify hobbies and interests

Personal/Social

  • Understand decision making and problem solving strategies

Fifth Grade

Academic

  • Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses related to learning

  • Understand the choices, options, and requirements of the middle school environments

Career

  • Recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning

  • Identify career choices through exploration

Personal/Social

  • Understand change as a part of growth

  • Identify the emotional and physical dangers of substance use and abuse

  • Use strategies for managing peer pressure