Arts/Wellness Department
Wellness Curriculum
Grades 6-8

Norwell Public Schools’ grade 6-8 Physical Education/Health curriculum is aligned to the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework, last revised in 2023, through its experiential, adventure-style Physical Education program in grades 6-8, its social health class in grade 6, and its health curriculum in grades 6-8. The PE/Health program at NMS is designed to address students at the developmental level specified by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as by the end of grade 8, and to prepare them for further study at the high school level.

Physical Education at NMS is an experiential education program where students learn by doing and whose foundation is based in an adventure-­style curriculum. Through various team and individual challenges, students are given the tools necessary to grow and learn by overcoming perceived limitations in a safe and inclusive environment. Throughout the course of their time at NMS, students are also challenged with improving individual physical fitness. Cardio­vascular exercises, flexibility and core­ strengthening are the main focus areas that are addressed in various activities. PE at NMS promotes the need for healthy balance, with a “get up and move” philosophy to promote individual and community health and wellness.

The social health curriculum in grade 6 focuses primarily on social-emotional learning, using resources that are research-based, teacher-informed and classroom-tested.  Topics include bullying prevention, growth mindset, working in groups, empathy, communication skills, friendships, considering perspectives, disagreeing respectfully, being assertive, emotion management, coping skills, problem solving, internet safety and sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

The health curriculum in grades 6-8 at NMS is primarily derived from The Great Body Shop and the Botvin Life Skills program, both of which are developmentally appropriate, nationally recognized resources geared toward national health curriculum standards. The curriculum is research-based and has been shown to impact student behavior and achievement during the middle school years.  The curriculum progresses with developmentally appropriate material through grades 6-8. A safe and inclusive environment is provided to allow students to learn and feel comfortable asking questions in class.

The Arts/Wellness Department believes that students should be knowledgeable in skills and concepts from the four core strands of the Massachusetts DESE Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework

• Physical Health: Students will recognize decisions that all individuals make with respect to their bodies in daily living and identify relationships among actions, conduct and wellness.
• Social/Emotional Health: Students will develop skills needed in daily life as they come to learn about their identity and how to manage interactions with other people.
• Safety and Prevention: Students will learn how to make decisions and weigh the probable consequences of their actions. 
• Personal and Community Health: Students will develop a clearer understanding of their personal, social and civic responsibilities by acting on accurate information to improve health in their communities.

2023 Massachusetts Comprehensive Health & Physical Education Curriculum Framework

Norwell Middle School Program of Studies provides more detailed information about courses, expectations and opportunities.