This practical resource gives educators in grades 7 through 12 a flexible, ready-to-use curriculum focusing on a wide range of contemporary topics such as stimulant use, family relationships, dealing with anger, managing threatening situations, and gang-related activities. Developed by experts in various fields of psychology and sociology, the lessons are based on real situations in students' own lives that involve dealing with feelings, self-esteem, peer pressure, and respect for others. They help students build character, prepare them to recognize situations that could become violent, and teach them the skills they need to handle conflicts in a non-violent and peaceful manner.
For easy use, the lessons follow a uniform format, including a descriptive title, a specific behavioral objective, and a simple sight-step lesson plan that provides everything needed for an effective, well-balanced learning experience. Each lesson covers:

• Purpose: Need for teaching/learning the skill, e.g., "Choosing Friends Selectively"
• Introduction: Stories and questions to make the skill concrete
• Skill Components: Skill steps for teaching the appropriate behavior
• Modeling the Skill: Teacher and student demonstration of the skill
• Behavioral Rehearsal: Student performance of the skill with teacher correction if necessary
• Practice: Worksheets and other activities summarizing the skill
• Independent Use: Activities to promote the use of the skill outside of school
• Continuation: Suggestions for reinforcing the skill through the school year

As a further help, all of the practice worksheets are individually printed in a big 8-1/4" x 11" spiral-bound format that folds flat for photocopying as many times as needed for individual or group use!
Also included are an introduction to the Violence Prevention Skills Curriculum and lesson format ... brief guidelines "To the Teacher" for using the lessons and activities most effectively ... and an extensive bibliography of useful resources related to the topics covered in the lessons.
In short, Ready-to-Use Violence Prevention Skills Lessons & Activities for Secondary Students gives teachers and counselors a stimulating and systematic way to develop positive social behaviors in their students. The activities feature real-life problems, are readily adapted to any classroom or school-wide program, and can be easily enhanced with other strategies, models, and interventions devised by the creative teacher.