Tools for Change: An Educator's Resource Site

Author(s): k Arbour, D.M. Hamelinck, A. Knelson, K Lampman, T. Randall, K. Richardson and A. Tann

Publisher: Plum Publications

Type of Resource: Lesson Plans

Target Grades: Grade 9

Canadian Resource? Yes

Resource formally evaluated? No

What is the source, internet link, or article title for viewing the formal evaluation of this resource? (none supplied)

Subject Areas:Healthy Active Living, Career Studies, Individual and Family Living, English, Learning Strategies

Learning Strategies 1: Skills for Success in Secondary School, Grade 9, Open (GLS1O/GLE1O/GLE2O)

Interpersonal Knowledge and Skills - Overall Expectations

• identify and describe the knowledge and skills necessary for successful interpersonal relations and teamwork;
• assess their interpersonal and teamwork skills and strategies, and explain how those skills requiring further development affect their learning;

Career Studies, Grade 10, Open (GLC2O)

Personal Management - Overall Expectations

• demonstrate effective use of interpersonal skills within a variety of settings.

Healthy Active Living Education, Grade 9, Open (PPL1O)

Healthy Living - Overall Expectations

• identify the factors that contribute to positive relationships with others;
• explain the consequences of sexual decisions on the individual, family, and community;
• identify strategies to minimize potentially dangerous situations (e.g., violence prevention, injury prevention).

Living Skills - Overall Expectations

• use appropriate decision-making skills to achieve goals related to personal health;
• explain the effectiveness of various conflict resolution processes in daily situations;
• use appropriate social skills when working collaboratively with others.

Healthy Active Living Education, Grade 10, Open (PPL2O)

Healthy Living - Overall Expectations

• explain strategies to promote positive lifestyle choices and relationships with others;
• demonstrate understanding of the factors affecting human sexuality as it relates to themselves and others;

Living Skills - Overall Expectations

• identify ways of taking appropriate action in new situations based on knowledge of positive decisions related to healthy active living;
• demonstrate understanding of conflict resolution, anger management, and mediation;
• use appropriate social skills and positive attitudes when interacting with others.

Individual and Family Living, Grade 9 or 10, Open (HIF1O/HIF2O)

Self and Others - Overall Expectations

• describe the characteristics of human growth and development in adolescence, and explain their influence on the behaviour and needs of young people;
• analyse strategies to develop and maintain effective relationships;

Personal and Social Responsibilities - Overall Expectations

• demonstrate communication and conflict-resolution skills in the context of family and social relationships;
• understand and apply a variety of problem-solving and decision-making skills, grounded in psychological and sociological studies, to family and social problems;
• demonstrate practical skills that contribute to the proper functioning of families and that are transferable to the workplace and to the community.

Social Science Skills - Overall Expectations

• demonstrate effective collaborative group skills.

English, Grade 9, Academic (ENG1D)

Language - Overall Expectations

• use listening techniques and oral communication skills to participate in classroom discussions and more formal activities, such as storytelling, role playing, and reporting/presenting, for specific purposes and audiences.

(where noted: Consistently (C)   Often (O))

Exploring Well-Being Through Relationships

Knowledge

• Personal growth in and through relationships.
• How healthy relationships support a healthy sense of well-being.
• Differentiate between healthy/equal relationships and relationships that are negative/unequal.
• Increase awareness of how actions and choices impact the well being of others.
• Increase awareness of how actions/choices of others impact personal well-being.

Skills

• Explore relationships from personal perspectives and experiences.
• Define values of healthy, supportive and caring relationships.
• Develop personal self-awareness and understanding of well-being.
• Develop and practice mutual empathy.
• Identify and practice values of mutual respect.
• Express personal feelings, thoughts and experiences.

Exploring Social Relations of Violence, Oppression and Equality

Knowledge

• Develop understanding of multiple forms and contexts of violence

Developing Connections, Creative Thinking and Participation

Knowledge

• Validation of student’s perspective and knowledge in understanding violence and healthy relationships.
• Strategies for personal and/or social change are offered to students for the promotion of healthy and equal relationships.
• Engagement in learning conflict resolution and anti-violence strategies.
• Gain in knowledge about choices and actions that promote mutual empowerment and respect.
• Knowledge is shared with students about where and how to seek out help and support.

Skills

• Opportunities to work collaboratively with peers to discuss and develop strategies for healthy and equal relationships.
• Experience and practice how to resolve conflict positively.

Structure and Format:

• Research-based introduction
• Ready to use scripted format
• Sequential guide or lessons that are user friendly

Teaching/Learning Strategies:

Direct Instruction: whole class and small group

• Explicit teaching and use of thinking skills and strategies

Interactive Learning

• Small group discussion/debriefing
• Conferencing: peer and student teacher
• Presentations
• Brainstorming

Indirect Instruction

• Guided teacher-direct inquiry

Experiential Learning

• Case studies/scenarios

Teaching and Learning Activities/lessons Include:

• Multiple opportunities for practice and feedback.
• Use of graphic organizers (venn diagrams, mind maps, tables)

Assessment Methods:

Pencil and Paper:

• Quizzes
• Checklists

Demonstration/Performance

• School and community-based projects

Other:

• Staff training
• School-wide connections.

The objective of this resource is to teach students to recognize, achieve and maintain healthy relationships. The focus of the resource is on personal peer and dating relationships. The resource teaches students to identify/define the qualities of healthy relationships, and how to achieve them. The program teaches about various forms of violence and abuse in relationships. It also provides students with opportunities to identify and explore personal identity and explore relationships from their own perspectives. Through principles of respect and assertive communication this resource provides knowledge of how to resolve conflict positively and use anti-violence strategies. It also offers relevant community based support resources. A great strength of this resource is that it is a proactive program for use with all students, rather than a responsive program for use with at-risk students.