Our current culture includes an overwhelming amount of social media input and has caused young people to lack the solid clarity of what motivates the basic choices and decisions they make on a daily basis. More often, what motivates students in the middle school age range is instant gratification and success. The desire for a “viral video” moment tends to overshadow the need to work hard and gain success in long-term pursuits.
Your B.R.A.N.D. is a character education program designed for Public School use and specifically written for the 11-16 year old student. The curriculum is designed to empower Middle School/Junior High age students with better reasons for choosing the directions they take for their lives and is designed to build and uplift the individual student and the community. It emphasizes strengthening their sense of self to give them the power to make better choices that lead to a life of success.
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Your B.R.A.N.D. introduces one concept per week for 34 weeks. The topics build in sequence to generate a cumulative effect by the end of the school year.​
This program meets the requirements of the TX HB 1026.
INTRODUCTION
The topic is introduced at the start of the week through the elective course. During that introduction the elective teachers will provide some time for students to write or journal reflecting on the topic and then will guide the students in a short group discussion allowing them to connect the topic to real issues they encounter. Students are able to connect with each other by listening respectfully and sharing thoughtfully with peers while developing relational and personal skills.
REINFORCEMENT
Throughout the week the campus core academic teachers are asked to be aware of the topic for that week, to reinforce that topic in conversation with students and insert the topic word or phrase within the core academic instructions. As students are reminded of the topic on a daily basis through reinforcement by the faculty, a total school climate focused on that weekly topic will emerge.
UNDERSTANDING
​Your B.R.A.N.D. can be used for one, two, or three years.
Year One
The concepts are introduced to students and they are given the opportunity to gain an understanding of the concepts.
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What students say after their first year using Your B.R.A.N.D.
Year Two
The same concepts are encountered, and students are encouraged to move from an understanding of the topic to developing the skills needed to apply the topic and use the concept in their own.
Year Three
The third year the students are led toward a deeper understanding of the topics and gain the ability to make the concepts a regular part of their approach to making decisions that affect their futures.