The small town of Hadley’s Corners is the scene for Unit 1. Chris Hadley, Julius Washington, Reggie and Lindsay Davis, and Scotty Chambers, each, in separate stories, learn what they are capable of doing and being. They join forces to create a band called the Positunes, and each begins to fulfill his or her full potential. In Unit 2, students meet twin brothers, Stan and Scott. Stan develops his sports ability and neglects his education; Scott does the opposite. Eventually, they must learn to bring balance into their lives. A story about the “Puffers” in the Habit Circus shows the dangers of habits that harm our bodies. Frederick Douglass, the slave who was whipped many times for teaching himself to read—but who persisted anyway—is the model for intellectual curiosity and desire. 

In Unit 3, managing one’s “gifts” is much like programming a computer correctly. A computer poster and story help the students realize the need to take proper steps in making their own inner computer function as it should. Students learn how to deal with difficult situations when playing the "Anger Game". In Unit 4, “The Unicorn” story calls on the students to think about empathy—about the way others feel. David and Steven’s mother has passed away. David can only find comfort in a story about a unicorn from a book that he has read. He has dreams of a unicorn coming to the forest behind their house. He shares his dream with Steven to give him comfort also.

In a Unit 5 story about Jacque, Ann, and Marcie, a class demonstration of a lie detector machine show them that their friendships are not what they thought they were. Jacque learns the positive action of being honest with herself and others, and decides to expand her circle of friends. In Unit 6, a ship poster and story reminds students of a particular ship that prepared for a voyage but, through a series of setbacks, never left the harbor. This compares to the person who means well, wants to do well, but who never seems to take the steps to achieve his or her goals.

Materials:

• Grade 6 Instructor's Manual with an introduction, purpose statements, materials list, activity sheet thumbnails and 139 10–15-minute scripted lessons
• 30 Activity booklets
• 15 Full color posters
• Game board & game cards
• 30 Journals and more!

All classroom kits include materials for 30 students.