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 understand the health benefits of effectively managing stress and develop strategies for coping with disappointment.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define stress management. (identifying sources of stress and applying strategies to cope with the mental and physical changes produced by stress)
• explain stress management techniques:
  • work off stress;
  • talk with parents or someone you trust;
  • learn to accept what you cannot change;
  • get enough sleep;
  • take time to play and spend time with friends;
  • accept one assignment or task at a time;
  • plan ahead;
  • get medical help if sick;
  • don't be afraid to say NO;
  • be realistic about perfection;
  • keep a sense of humor; and
  • care for pets.
• recognize the benefits of stress management strategies. (protect your mental or physical health)
• anticipate situations in which disappointment may occur. (expect something and it does not happen)
• discuss ways to cope with disappointment. (discuss your disappointment with your parents and friends and practice stress management skills)

Sample Lessons

In the Mix: "9-11: Looking Back...Moving Forward"
Grade(s): 7-12
This lesson is designed for students in middle school up through high school.  In this lesson students will learn how things have changed since that day and stereotypes that have come from that day.
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/9-11_guide.html
Free

In the Mix: "Living with…"
Grade(s): 7-12
This lesson is designated for middle and high school students.  The program shows other students who live with diseases and shows that it is manageable and that there others going through the same problems.
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/lessons/LivingWithGuide.pdf
Free

In the Mix: "Opening Your Heart to Your Grieving Teen"
Grade(s): 6-12
This lesson is designed to help both the grieving teen and the adult there to help them.  Although the adult helping throughout the process cannot bring back the loved one that has passed on, but they can help the teenager realize they have support through this difficult time.
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/lessons/death1/index.html
Free

In the Mix: "Suicide Prevention"
Grade(s): 7-12
This lesson plan is designed for students in middle school and all the way up through high school.  Students will use cards to sort and understand a large quantity of information regarding suicidal teens, and then apply what they learn to analyses of case studies.
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/lessons/depression2/index.html
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

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

Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways (RIPP)
Grades 6-8
Model 3-year violence prevention program. Includes importance of significant friends or adult mentors; relationship between self-image and gang-related behaviors; conflict resolution; and effects of environmental influences on personal health.
Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact: ameyer@saturn.vcu.edu
Cost

Striking Out Stress: A “Gallery Walk” Activity
Grade(s): 6-12
A teacher-submitted lesson that interactively teaches about stress and how to cope with its effects.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/02-1/lesson045.shtml
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• Adolescence: Peer Influence – http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty
• Coping with Disappointment - http://ohioline.osu.edu/flm99/fs15.html
• Coping with Life's Stressors - http://www.coping.org/control/selfcont.htm
• Failure and Disappointment - http://mentalhelp.net/psyhelp/chap6/chap6p.htm
• Health Textbooks
• Managing Stress - http://www.healthteacher.com/lessonguides/default.asp
• School Guidance Counselor
• Stress Management - http://stress.about.com
• Understanding Stress - http://www.unl.edu/stress/mgmt/concept.html

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• identify a stressful or disappointing situation and provide appropriate coping strategies.
• discuss stressful situations that may be alleviated through humor.
• list stressful times during the school year and relevant stress management techniques.

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