Middle School Advisory Curriculum

The purpose of the advisory curriculum is to foster awareness of self, others, and the world and to promote in students a personal “code of ethics” by examining a wide variety of topics that reach beyond the academic curriculum that deeply affect all of our lives in and outside of school. The list of topics that are explored in advisory lessons include the meaning of friendship, racism, equality and stereotypes, stress and time management, substance use and abuse, conflict resolution, adolescent sexuality, and self-esteem and body issues.

The advisory curriculum is introduced during advisory periods by the student’s advisor or homeroom teacher. Advisory periods are held weekly and are designed to encourage student participation. The curriculum is age appropriate in language and activities.

The theme of the month determines the subject covered in each of the lessons. The themes are values which are important to the school and range from ‘getting to know you’ to ‘personal values’ and ‘unity’. These themes are emphasized each month through the Tuesday letter, the advisory bulletin board and the individual advisory lessons. The curriculum is tailored to address situations that arise in the classroom.

Quaker history and values are also examined in the advisory curriculum. The Quaker Queries or Testimonies are the first lesson in each month of advisory periods and may carry over to other areas of the school day. For example, December’s Query on simplicity will offer a topic for discussion and sets the tone of the advisory, and the introduction of the decision making curriculum.

Another aspect of the Advisory Curriculum is the decision making process. The students learn that decision-making is broken down to specific steps: relax, define the problem, brainstorm an alternative, choose the best alternative, make a plan and try it. Students discuss how to use these steps in different situations such as getting along with friends, stress management and substance abuse.

The principles of the decision making process and the values explored through the Quaker Queries are practiced throughout the year.