Standard of Learning

7.1 The student will use knowledge of health concepts to make decisions related to personal safety and wellness. Key concepts/skills include:

1. alternatives to gang-related behaviors and acts of violence;
2. recognition of harmful and risky behaviors;
3. the benefits of stress management and stress reduction techniques;
4. the development of strategies for coping with disappointment;
5. factors that affect school success;
6. the impact of difficult family situations;
7. development of healthy interpersonal relationships.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will explore alternatives to gang-related behaviors and acts of violence and recognize potentially harmful or risky behaviors.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define risky behaviors. (actions that may cause injury to you or others)
• describe a gang. (groups of young people who band together to participate in violent or criminal behaviors)
• identify venues that display images of violence. (violence on television, stories about violent crimes, etc.)
• identify the causes of violence. (money, anger, hate crimes, easy access to illegal weapons, gang peer pressure, alcohol and other drugs, etc.)
• review and discuss why someone would want to become a gang member. (to be part of a group, to get drugs, feel lonely or bored, peer pressure, racial or ethnic reasons, etc.)
• discuss the dangers of being part of a gang. (forced to commit crimes, live in fear, etc.)
• list risky behaviors that could cause harm to self or others. (using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, playing with weapons, picking fights, etc.)
• list less risky alternative activities. (sports, clubs, work, etc.)

Sample Lessons

All About Groups, Community: The Importance of Rules
Grades 5-12
Upon successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to understand the necessity of rules for groups. In particular, they will learn how to do the following: (1) Defend why we have rules (2) Create rules for a group following the model for rule making discussed in class (3) Identify rules in groups they are a part of (4) Move quickly and quietly to groups & (5) Encourage participation by all.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSMDGroupsCommunity3-ImportanceOfRules2.htm
Sponsor: LessonsPlanPage.com
Free

Cycle of Addiction
Grades 6-8
Through this lesson, students will understand how families and peers influence their decision making and examine the cycle of addiction to drugs and what can be done to prevent it.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/addiction/
Sponsor: Discovery Education
Free

Healthy B.A.S.I.C.S. Lesson Plan: "What to do when I’m Angry"
Grade(s): 6-8
Students will define anger as a normal emotion, then will list three behaviors that show when anger is out of control.  After finishing both of these activities the students will describe three positive ways to deal with anger.
http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/publications/HBLPanger.pdf
Free

HeartPower!
Grades: 6-8
Teaches student about the heart and how to keep it healthy. Science-based. Lessons, handouts.
--How Can You Help Others Stay Tobacco Free?
--Why is Second Hand Smoke Dangerous?
Sponsor: American Heart Association
Contact: http://www.americanheart.org (select HeartPower!)
Free

It's My Life: "The Dangers of Drug Abuse"
Grade(s): 4-7
Students this age should understand that they will be faced with a variety of decisions regarding their health, and that some of them might involve substances of abuse. Experimentation with drugs often begins in early adolescence.
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/parents/lesson_plans/dangers_of_drug_abuse.html
Free

Kids and Guns
Grades 4-8
This lesson will help kids discuss their fears and questions about handgun violence, using the tragedy at Columbine High School as a focus.
http://www.nickjr.com/teachers/lesson_plans/kids_and_guns.jhtml?_template=teachers
Sponsor: Nick Jr.
Free

LifeSkills Training
Grades: 6-8
Model substance abuse prevention and competency enhancement program focusing on the major social and psychological factors causing substance use and abuse. Teaches drug resistance skills, personal management skills, and general social skills. Includes self-image, self-improvement, decision-making, anger management, assertiveness, communication, media, and conflict resolution issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost

Making Classroom Rules
Grades: 5-8th
Students sometimes do not understand why we have a rule and, as adolescents, do not respect the rules. If students take part in making their own rules they may find it easier to follow them. This lesson will apply that logic to teach students the importance of rules.
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Interdisciplinary/INT0039.html
Sponsor: Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

NetSmartz Safety Presentations and Activity Cards
Grades K-12
Presentations: NetSmartz has developed Internet safety presentations for use with children of all ages and adults. Educate parents and communities with slides detailing online risks, statistics, resources, and tips for keeping children safer online. Encourage tweens and teens to examine their online behavior and take steps to prevent victimization of themselves and others. Teach younger children what to watch out for on the Internet and how to avoid these risks. http://www.netsmartz.org/Presentations/
Activity Cards: These activity cards are related to online activities and are easy to implement with few extra materials. Printable handouts are included. You may want to skim through the activities to get ideas for discussing Internet safety with the children. The activities address age appropriate concerns regarding children and teens internet use.  http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/activitycards.htm#k2
Sponsor: NetSmartz
Free

"Peer Pressure"
Grade(s): 6-8
At ages 12 to 14, youths are aware of drugs and may already have been offered or pressured to use drugs by older siblings and friends, or by their own peers. This lesson helps students recognize peer pressure and decide how to refuse drugs.
http://www.acde.org/educate/78plan2.htm
Free

Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT)
Grades 5-10
Model program to prevent or reduce tobacco use in youth. Ten core and 2 booster lessons. Includes effective refusal and coping skills; effects of media and advertisers; methods to build self-esteem; and strategies for advocating no tobacco use.
Sponsor: Department of Preventive Medicine, USC
Contact: http://www.etr.org
Cost

Reality Matters: Under the Influence
Grades 6-8
This lesson will review how alcohol affects the brain, map the areas of the brain affected by teenage drinking, and explores what brain functions teenage drinking might impact.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/underTheInfluence/
Sponsor: Discovery Education
Free

Risky Business
Grades 6-12
Through this lesson students will review the possible consequences of making risky choices, become familiar with statistics involving teens, and create and play a board game designed to show how bad choices can lead to setbacks.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/riskyBusiness/
Sponsor: Discovery Education
Free

S.O.D.A.T.: "Peer Pressure"
Grade(s): 7-8
At ages 12 to 14, youths are aware of drugs and may already have been offered or pressured to use drugs by older siblings and friends, or by their own peers. This lesson helps students recognize peer pressure and decide how to refuse drugs.
http://www.sodat.org/Lesson%20Plan%207&8.htm
Free

Substance Abuse: Deadly Highs
Grades 6-8
Through this lesson, students will be able to describe the effects of drugs on the human body, both short-and long-term consequences, create personal approaches to substance abuse control and prevention, demonstrate effective practices in working within groups, demonstrate general skills of the writing process, and practice skills in speaking and listening as tools for learning.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/deadlyhighs/
Sponsor: Discovery Education
Free

Taking a Stand on Bullying
Grade(s): 6-8
In this lesson the students will use the data collected from their surveys in Lesson Four: Bullying and Core Democratic Values on bullying in their school. They will analyze the information and take a position on whether or not bullying violates core democratic values and whether or not students should take an active role in preventing bullying at their school.
http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit132/lesson5.html
Free

Your Own Classroom Court
Grades: 5-12
Students sometimes do not understand why we have a rule and, as adolescents, do not respect the rules. If students take part in making their own rules they may find it easier to follow them. This lesson will apply that logic to teach students the importance of rules.
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/cecsst006.html
Sponsor Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• ACDE Drug Prevention Lesson Plans – http://www.acde.org/educate/Lessons.htm
• Adolescence: Peer Influence - http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/n/x/nxd10/adpeer2.htm
• Blueprints for Violence Prevention, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence - http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/
• Bullying Resources compiled by the California Department of Education - http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyres.asp
• Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence – http://www.colorado.edu/cspv
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control – http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc
• Children’s Safety Network – National Injury and Violence Prevention Resource – http://www.childrensafetynetwork.org
• Drug and Violence Prevention - http://dave.esc4.net
• Gangs or Us - http://www.gangsorus.com/
• Kansas Bullying Prevention Program, Statewide Bullying Campaign - http://www.kbpp.org/
• Life Skills Program National Bullying Prevention Campaign Webcast - http://www.mchcom.com/archivedWebcastDetail.asp?aeid=250
• National Crime Prevention Council – http://www.ncpc.org
• National Youth Gang Center – http://www.iir.com/nygc/maininfo.htm
• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC) – http://www.safeyouth.org
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention –http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org
• Olweus Bullying Prevention Program - nationally recognized model program to reduce opportunities and rewards for bullying - http://www.clemson.edu/olweus/
• Partnership Against Violence Network – http://www.pavnet.org
• Prevention Pathways Online Courses, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention - http://pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/bully/bully_intro_pg1.htm
• PREVENT, Preventing Violence Through Education Network and Technical Assistance, University of North Carolina - http://www.prevent.unc.edu/
• Resource Officer
• School Guidance Staff
• Stop Bullying Now! Campaign, Human Resources And Services Administration - http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
• Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) – http://www.saddonline.com
• U.S. Department of Education, Safe & Drug-Free Schools Program – http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SDFS/
• U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Criminal Justice Reference Service – http://www.ncjrs.org
• U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention – http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org
• Youth Violence Fact Sheet, Center for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/yvfacts.htm
• Virginia Best Practices in School-Based Violence Prevention, Virginia Department of Health - http://www.preventviolenceva.org
• Virginia Center for School Safety – http://www.virginiaschoolsafety.com
• Virginia Department of Education, Safe & Drug-Free Schools Program – http://www.safeanddrugfreeva.org
• Virginia Youth Violence Project, University of Virginia - http://youthviolence.edschool.virginia.edu/
• What New Zealand Police are doing about bullying - http://www.police.govt.nz/service/yes/nobully/whats_bullying.html

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• explore the alternatives to gang-related behaviors and acts of violence.
• role-play refusal skills for avoiding risky behaviors.
• locate articles in newspaper, magazine, on the Internet, or on a television news program that relates to violence or gang behavior.
• brainstorm strategies to make the community safer.

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