Knowledge Race/Game

I want to make a game for my students that allows them to actually use what they learn in their classes. There would be teams consisting of at least one student from each year, and the teams would have to race around completing challenges in each of their subjects for the teachers. This would also be great so the students want to please their teachers and work together.

This could be a really big event at the school, possibly the biggest of the year, like a field day.

Computer Science

Apparently most computer science majors in college started studying the subject in middle school or before, so I need to start my students with it by that time then continue to offer it at an advanced level in high school.

Etiquette School of Atlanta

Other important lessons I think my students should learn in culture class: 


Why Do I Act the Way I Do?
Be Positive & Be Responsible
Set Goals for Now & Tomorrow
Manage Your Time
Practice on Abundance Mentality
Using Active & Emphatic Listening
Be Open To Continuous Improvement
Celebrate Diversity
Interviewing Skills
Time Management & A Study Inventory
Note Taking From Lectures
Listening Skills for Better Understanding
Constructing Study Sheets
Power Reading
Better Report Writing
Getting More From Textbooks
Graphic Organizers & Visualization
Test-Taking Skills



I think the school-focused topics should be taught to the younger classes especially. 


Etiquette School of Atlanta

Social and Dance Education

I want a huge part of my culture classes to be social and social dance education. I found a program that does just that:

Social I for fifth and sixth graders: self-esteem and confidence, handshakes, meeting and introductions, etiquette in public, telephone etiquette, everyday table manners, line dances, fox trot, waltz, shag, twist

Social II for second years: table manners, napkins, silverware, china, crystal, extending and receiving invitations, host/hostess and guest duties, dining, tipping, thank you notes, Slapppin' Leather, Amos Moses, line dances, fox trot, waltz, shag, confidence-building, courtesy, respect

Dance Club for third years: the first meeting, personal qualities, party savvy, dining, etiquette in public, confidence, boogie, cha-cha, fox trot, waltz, shag

Cotillion Club for fourth year eighth graders: extending and receiving invitations, host/hostess and guest duties, dining, napkins, silverware, china, crystal, being served and serving yourself, difficult to eat foods, tipping, grooming, posture, movies and concerts, thank-you notes, Caribbean Hustle, Vienna Waltz, line dances, fox trot, waltz, shag

Lead Dance for fifth to eighth years in high school: dancing at different parties, dining etiquette, introduction skills, art of toasting, first job interview, getting ready for firsts (date, prom, homecoming, job)


There are a few more classes for when students start at different ages, but above is the idea. I love how this is spread out over the years, but I think my class can go much more in-depth. I do need to be careful not to make this class tedious because a lot of these websites focus on making sure the students are having fun. 

Perfectly Polished

Modern Day Finishing School

I love the description for the Modern Day Finishing School for Men and Women by Gloria Starr. It has an emphasis on why finishing school and etiquette is important in a modern, professional setting. It is for adults, but I think it could very easily be translated into lessons for teens and kids for my culture classes.

Her units for the class are:
First Impressions-Lasting Impressions
The Six P's of Personal Marketing
Business Attire
Five Rules of Personal Marketing
The New Dress for Success Rules
Manners Really Do Matter
Ambassador Skills and Communication Essentials

I think this would be an especially great way to convince parents - and maybe even non-culture teachers - of the importance of this class.

Gloria Starr's Finishing School