By the end of Grade 8, students will:

A. Critical Thinking

1. Communicate, analyze data, apply technology, and problem solve.
2. Describe how personal beliefs and attitudes affect decision-making.
3. Identify and assess problems that interfere with attaining goals.
4. Recognize bias, vested interest, stereotyping, and the manipulation and misuse of information.
5. Practice goal setting and decision-making in areas relative to life skills.

B. Self-Management

1. Develop and implement a personal growth plan that includes short- and long-term goals to enhance development.
2. Demonstrate responsibility for personal actions and contributions to group activities.
3. Explain the need for, and advantages of, lifelong learning.

C. Interpersonal Communication

1. Demonstrate respect and flexibility in interpersonal and group situations.
2. Organize thoughts to reflect logical thinking and speaking.
3. Work cooperatively with others to solve a problem.
4. Demonstrate appropriate social skills within group activities.
5. Practice the skills necessary to avoid physical and verbal confrontation in individual and group settings.
6. Participate as a member of a team and contribute to group effort.

D. Character Development and Ethics

1. Explain and demonstrate how character and behavior affects and influences the actions of others in the home, school, and community.
2. Describe and demonstrate appropriate character traits, social skills, and positive attitudes needed for the home, school, community, and workplace.
3. List problems and their causes, effects, and solutions that are faced in the home, school, and/or community.
4. Describe how personal ethics influence decision making.

E. Consumer and Personal Finance Skills

1. Identify and demonstrate personal finance skills in checkbook maintenance and investing.
2. Construct a simple personal savings/spending plan.
3. Understand that people make financial choices that have costs, benefits, and consequences.
4. Explain the difference in cost between cash and credit purchases.
5. Compare prices of similar items from different sellers.

F. Safety

1. Demonstrate appropriate safety procedures for hands-on experiences.
2. Demonstrate the use of recommended safety and protective devices.
3. Describe appropriate response procedures for emergency situations.