Silent Strength: Beginning the Journey in 6th Grade

The 6th grade curriculum "Silence is Your Superpower" helps students learn how quiet time can be an empowering tool instead of a punishment. The program has 9 units that teach different silence skills over about 36 class sessions.

Students learn how to:

• Use short quiet moments (called "pauses") to help with feelings

• Understand how their brain works better with some quiet time

• Manage technology and reduce distractions

• Listen better to others

• Use quiet to handle strong emotions

• Build confidence without always talking

• Find creativity through silence

• Focus better during study time

• Create their own personal silence strategies

Each lesson includes looking at artwork, trying silence activities, talking about experiences, and practicing new skills. Activities are hands-on and fun, like silent games, drawing while listening to music, or doing partner challenges without talking.

The program recognizes that many students feel uncomfortable with quiet and always want noise or distraction. It helps them build "silence stamina" slowly, starting with just 10-second quiet periods and gradually increasing.

Teachers present silence as a "superpower" that helps with focus, emotional control, and creativity rather than something boring or scary.