Social Skills Curriculum

For the orderly and harmonious functioning of the school as an educational environment and for the purpose of teaching social behaviors in combination with the academic curriculum, Stella Maris Academy has adopted and implemented a Social Skills Curriculum based on the Boys Town educational model.

To achieve a clear and verifiable outcome the teachers and staff have been provided with sound theoretical principles and practical approaches to guide them in their teaching efforts.  The foundation of the social skills is a structured educational approach that offers a well defined and manageable set of social behaviors that encompass adult relations, peer relations, school rules and classroom behaviors.  The skills assist the teachers to go beyond merely describing problem behaviors to identifying alternative prosocial behaviors and their components for instruction/learning.

A very important component of the Social Skills Curriculum is TEACHING INTERACTION.  Its purpose is to teach alternative behaviors and consequate inappropriate behaviors in a calm and positive manner.  Teachers and staff receive training in the use and implementation of the entire curriculum.

The Social Skills Curriculum is taught through role-playing and monitored by teachers and staff.  Students earn consequences either positive or negative for their behaviors.

Teachers are trained in the Boys Town Social Skills model and parents are aware of its use in the education of their children.

For more details about Boys Town Social Skills Program: http://parenting.org/behavior/socialskills/ 

The Social Skills are:

  • FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS
  • ACCEPTING CRITICISM
  • ACCEPTING "NO" FOR AN ANSWER
  • GREETING OTHERS
  • INTRODUCING YOURSELF
  • GETTING THE TEACHER'S ATTENTION
  • ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
  • DISAGREEING APPROPRIATELY
  • GIVING CRITICISM
  • SAYING "NO"
  • SAYING YOU'RE SORRY
  • ENGAGING IN A  CONVERSATION
  • GIVING COMPLIMENTS
  • ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTS
  • OFFERING TO HELP
  • REPORTING INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
  • INTRODUCING YOURSELF

GOALS OF THE CURRICULUM:

  • Know and follow school rules
  • Improve relationships and interactions with teachers and administrators
  • Improve academic performance
  • Build appropriate peer interaction skills
  • Increase participation in class and school activities
  • Increase student satisfaction with school
  • Building employability and life skills

SMA Students Gain Tools for Success

Stella Maris Academy has adopted and implemented a Social Skills Curriculum based on the Boys Town educational model.

Learn more about the program by CLICKING HERE.