ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success

  • Kindergarten Competencies:

    Academic Development

    • Learn the importance of using listening skills at all times in school. (M:6)
    • Follow classroom rules and be able to explain what those rules mean. (B:SS:9)
    • Follow spoken directions given in school (B:SS:1)
    • Cultivate school success by taking responsibility for their actions (self-control). (B:SMS:2)

    Career Development

    • Learn about various careers and occupations (B:SMS:7) (B:SS:4)

    Social/Emotional Development

    • Express feelings appropriately and recognize the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions (ex. learning anger management skills) (M:1,2)
    • Develop positive attitudes towards self as a unique and worthy person (B:SS:2,6)
    • Identify and respect similarities and differences of others. (M:1) (B:SMS:9)
    • Explore the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touches. (B:SMS:9) (B:SS:3,9)
    • Identify strategies for stopping inappropriate touches. (M:4) (B:LS:7)

  • First Grade Competencies:

    Academic Development

    • Acquire skills to improve learning (ex: on-task behaviors, positive attitude, perseverance) (M:4,5) (BS:LS:4)
    • Use listening skills to follow oral and written directions. (B:SS:1)
    • Accept mistakes as essential to the learning process. (M:1,3,6)
    • Learn when and how to ask for help with schoolwork. (B:SS:3)
    • Demonstrate personal responsibility in following rules. (B:SM:1,2)


    Career Development

    • Explore personal likes and dislikes as they relate to various careers and occupations. (M:1,3) (B:SS:4)


    Social/Emotional Development

    • Demonstrate respect for oneself as well as others. (B:SMS:1,7) (B:SS:4-6)
    • Learn about ways to handle disagreements without fighting (conflict resolution (B:SS:2,4,6)
    • Learn how to make and keep friends (B:SMS:9)
    • Recognize the difference between the feelings associated with appropriate and inappropriate physical contact (B:SMS:9) (B:SS:3,9)
    • Identify strategies for stopping inappropriate touches including sexual abuse. (M:4) (B:LS:7)

  • Second Grade Competencies:

    Academic Development

    • Demonstrate the ability to work independently and cooperatively with other students. (B:SMS:3) (B:SS:6-7)
    • Practice effective listening skills in order to follow directions. (B:SS:1)
    • Follow multi-step directions. (B:LS:3) (B:SMS:3)
    • Identify attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning (i.e. test-taking skills, work habits). (M:1,5) (B:LS:3)

    Career Development

    • Learn connections between education and possible careers and occupations. (B:LS:9) (B:SS:5)

    Social/Emotional Development

    • Learn appropriate decision-making skills. (M:3) (B:LS:1,9)
    • Understand the relationship between behaviors and consequences. (M:3) (B:LS:9) (B:SMS:7) (B:SS:4)
    • Learn conflict resolution skills. (PS:B1.3) (M:1,3) (B:3-5)
    • Demonstrate ways to show respect for self, others and property. (B:SMS:9)
    • Recognize the difference between the feelings associated with appropriate and inappropriate physical contact. (B:SS:3,8)
    • Examine and practice safety skills including preventing/stopping sexual abuse. (M:4) (B:LS:7)

  • Third Grade Competencies:

    Academic Development

    • Develop skills to work independently (M:2,5) (BS:SM:3)
    • Explore effective test-taking strategies and stress management techniques. (M:1) (BS:SM:6-7)
    • Follow both written and spoken directions. (BS:SS:1)
    • Practice goal setting, time management, and organizational skills (BS:LS:3)

    Career Development

    • Understand the differences among various careers and occupations. (BS:LS:1) (BS:SM:7)
    • Work cooperatively in small groups to solve problems (BS:SS:8)


    Social/Emotional Development

    • Apply effective problem-solving skills to make safe and healthy choices. (BS:SS:9)
    • Learn appropriate responses to bullying/harassment. (BS:SS:1)
    • Identify sources of positive and negative influences (peers, family, community, media.) (MS:1)
    • Use effective communication skills. (BS:SM:9)
    • Develop a healthy self-concept by making positive choices. (M:4) (BS:LS:7)
    • Examine and practice safety skills including preventing/stopping sexual abuse. (BS:SS:6)

  • Fourth Grade Competencies:

    Academic Development

    • Identify personal strengths and weaknesses to positively influence school performance. (M:5)
    • Learn and apply test-taking strategies. (BS:LS:3)
    • Utilize organizational and time management skills to complete school assignments. (BS:LS:3)
    • Learn and apply goal-setting strategies. (BS:LS:7)


    Career Development

    • Explore how hobbies and personal interests relate to careers. (BS:SM:1) (BS:SS:9)
    • Use conflict resolution skills to solve problems effectively. (BS:SS:8)
    • Learn how to prioritize time between work and leisure activities. (BS:SS:2)


    Social/Emotional Development

    • Accept responsibility and understand consequences for personal choices. (BS:SS:7)
    • Learn effective strategies related to peer pressure. (BS:SM:9)
    • Identify strategies to cope effectively with personal and classroom difficulties (conflict resolution skills). (M:4)
    • Recognize and appreciate differences in others (culture, ethnicity, students with disabilities). (BS:SS:6)
    • Summarize and practice safety skills including preventing and stopping sexual abuse. (BS:SM:8)

  • Fifth Grade Competencies:

    Academic Development

    • Apply time management and organizational skills to enhance personal and academic success. (BS:SM:8)
    • Utilize study skills to help achieve goals and reduce test-taking anxiety. (BS:SM:6)
    • Learn strategies to successfully transition to middle school (BS:SM:10)

    Career Development

    • Identify how hobbies and personal interests influence possible careers and occupations. (BS:SM:7)
    • Develop skills to locate information about possible careers and occupations. (BS:SS:2)

    Social/Emotional Development

    • Demonstrate skills needed to cope with challenges in daily life. (BS:SS:7)
    • Demonstrate behaviors needed to interact with peers effectively (friendship skills, avoiding peer pressure and bullying). (BS:SS:1)
    • Demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differences in others (culture, ethnic, students with disabilities). (BS:SS:5)
    • Demonstrate the use of effective communication skills (verbal and nonverbal) in a variety of settings. (BS:SM:9)
    • Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate school behaviors (M:4)
      11. Identify neglectful, physical and sexually abusive situations and strategies for getting help. (M:4)
    • Understand the relationship between effective work habits (responsibility, punctuality, and effort) and the world of work. (BS:LS:4) (BS:SM:1)