Esteem Builders [microform] : A K-8 Self-Esteem Curriculum for Improving Student Achievement, Behavior and School Climate / Michele Borba

A curriculum for enhancing student self-esteem in grades kindergarten through 12 is presented in this guide. An introduction discusses the background and research-based data as to why esteem building is essential for today's students. Chapter 1 explains the building blocks of self-esteem: security, self-hood, affiliation, mission, and competence. Chapter 2 presents a detailed plan of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly activities that are grade level specified and cross-referenced to all major curriculum areas. Chapter 3 presents activities and strategies to build the student's feelings of trust, safety, and security. Chapter 4 presents activities and strategies to build the student's feelings of individuality and acquisition of self-knowledge. Chapter 5 presents activities and strategies to increase the student's feelings of belonging as well as to enhance social skills. Chapter 6 presents activities and strategies to help the student gain a sense of purpose. The chapter covers goal-setting, measuring past performance, and decision-making skills. Chapter 7 presents activities and strategies to help the student recognize successes and internalize feelings of accomplishment. Chapter 8 presents activities in which students work as cooperative teams to build each of the five feelings within themselves and others. Chapter 9 presents daily language development assignments and topics. Chapter 10 presents activities done on a school-wide basis to increase each of the five self-esteem components. This chapter presents spirit and climate energizers as well as activities for principals. Two appendixes contain a self-esteem bibliography and student self-esteem assessment charts and prescriptive plan. (ABL)