Tools for Change: An Educator's Resource Site

Author(s): Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke & Education Wife Assault

Publisher: Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke & Education Wife Assault

Type of Resource: Information booklet and Classroom Activities

Target Grades: 8 - 10

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:Language, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, Religion, Family Life, Healthy Active Living, Career Studies, Individual and Family Living, English, Learning Strategies

GRADE EIGHT

Language: Reading

Clarify and broaden their own points of view by examining the ideas of others

Language: Oral and Visual Communication

Express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately

Contribute and work constructively in groups

Use tone of voice and body language to clarify meaning during conversations and presentations

Contribute collaboratively in group situations by asking questions and building on the ideas of others

Work with members of their group to establish clear purposes and procedures for solving problems and completing projects

The Arts: Drama and Dance

Critique, orally and in writing, their own and others’ work in drama and dance, using criteria developed independently and in a group

Demonstrate understanding of the appropriate use of the voice, gestures, and the level of language in different dramatic situations

Organize and carry out a group improvisation

Produce pieces that deal appropriately with youth problems

Produce pieces of writing in which they reflect on their experiences in drama and dance, and in which they show their ability to analyse and find solutions to problems in real life

Health and Physical Education: Healthy Living

Identify the physical, emotional, interpersonal, and spiritual aspects of healthy sexuality (e.g., respect for life, ethical questions in relationships, contraception)

Identify local support groups and community organizations (e.g., public health offices) that provide information or services related to health and well-being

Analyse situations that are potentially dangerous to personal safety (e.g., gang violence) and determine how to seek assistance

Apply living skills (e.g., decision-making, problem-solving, and refusal skills) to respond to matters related to sexuality, drug use, and healthy eating habits

Identify sources of support (e.g., parents/guardians, doctors) related to healthy sexuality issues

Analyse situations (e.g., hitchhiking, gang violence, violence in relationships) that are potentially dangerous to personal safety

Identify support services (e.g., the school guidance department, shelters, Kid’s Help Phone) that assist victims of violence, and explain how to access them

Apply the steps of decision-making process to address age-specific situations related to personal health and well-being in which substance use or abuse is one of the factors

Health and Physical Education: Active Participation

Demonstrate respectful behaviour towards the feelings and ideas of others

Catholic Education Religion and Family Life

Religion:

• responsible choices, self respect and respect for others

Family Life:

• importance of adolescent relationships, conflict resolution
• meaning of commitment during adolescence, stress management,
• building a loving, just community

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.

English, Grade 10, Academic (ENG2D)

Language - Overall Expectations

• • use listening techniques and oral communication skills to participate in classroom discussions and more formal activities, such as dramatizing, presenting, and debating, for a variety of purposes and audiences.

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

Exploring Well-Being Through Relationships

This resource shares knowledge with students about:

• 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
• how the nature of relationships are characterized by growth and change
• 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

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• 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
• opportunity for classmates to respond empathetically and respectfully

Exploring Social Relations of Violence, Oppression and Equality

This resource shares knowledge with students about:

• social structures of inequality, marginalization/exclusion, negative stereotypes, discrimination and violence
• a gender analysis of social relations
• recognizing and understanding oppression on the basis of gender
• the social relations of equality, inclusion, acceptance and empowerment

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• explore gendered aspects of their social identities, relationships and experiences
• personalize knowledge of social relations of oppression and empowerment

Exploring Identity, Gender, and Diversity

This resource shares knowledge with students about:

• how values and biases are (can be) used to exclude and cause harm to individuals and groups of individuals

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• identify, explore, and name their own identities, experiences, and values
• develop an understanding and respect for the identities, experiences, and values of their peers

Developing Connections, Creative Thinking and Participation

This resource shares knowledge with students about:

• understanding violence and healthy relationships from one’s own personal perspective
• strategies for personal and/or social change for the promotion of healthy and equal relationships.
• conflict resolution and anti-violence strategies
• choices and actions that promote mutual empowerment and respect
• where and how to seek out help and support

This resource provides opportunities for students to acquire skills by allowing students to:

• Develop and practice their capacity for healthy interactions and connections within the context of the classroom/school
• Work collaboratively with peers to discuss and develop strategies for healthy and equal relationships
• Experience and practice how to resolve conflict positively
• Develop supportive connections between students and teachers/adults

Structure and Format:

• • Information guide or scope and sequence of lessons (i.e. how to strategies)

Teaching/Learning Strategies:

Direct Instruction: whole class and small group

• Explicit Teaching
• Explicit teaching and use of thinking skills and strategies
• Explicit teaching and using self-assessment and reflection

Interactive Learning

• Small-group cooperative learning
• Small group discussion/debriefing
• Presentations
• brainstorming
• Conferencing: peer and student-teacher

Indirect Instruction

• Guided teacher-directed inquiry
• Reflective discussions

Experiential Learning

• Simulation, role play
• Case studies/scenarios

Activities/Lessons Include:

• Choice, where possible, in student tasks and assignments
• Multiple opportunities for practice and feedback.
• Opportunities for students to use their learning styles to learn and demonstrate learning
• Oral and written reflection

Assessment Methods:

Pencil and Paper:

• Quizzes
• Checklists

Demonstration/Performance:

• Class
• Role playing
• Simulations

Personal Communication:

• Student-teacher conferences
• Interviews

Other:

• Staff training

This resource is an information and facilitation booklet for educators. It provides educators with relevant information, statistics and legal issues pertaining to sexual assault, date rape and violence against women. The resource also includes a collection of classroom activities that enable students to recognize gender stereotypes, define the values of healthy and supportive relationships, understand what constitutes violence and assault, build self-esteem, resolve conflicts in a positive manner, and help friends who are or have been abused. The resource offers extensive opportunities for group discussion and co-operative learning in mixed-sex groups.