7th Grade
The 7th grade curriculum consists of ten lessons aimed at teaching resistance skills, decision making, and conflict resolution while targeting drug trends and social attitudes. The core of the program is the R.E.A.L strategies that will help students to resist bad choices in real situations.
The R.E.A.L strategies: REFUSE, EXPLAIN, AVOID, and LEAVE will help students learn effective decision making and communication skills to help them resist the temptations to use drugs or become involved in unfavorable situations.
Lesson 1: Options and Choices
Students will be introduced to the “R.E.A.L resistance strategies of Refuse, Explain, Avoid, and Leave.” An introductory video will be used in classroom discussion, and through discussion and activities we will explore choices and consequences.
Lesson 2: Risks
Students will identify the different risks that could be harmful to them. We will also incorporate a game that will allow them to identify how a risk affects what choice they make. They will also learn about current drug use trends.
Lesson 3: Communication and Conflict
We will discuss the “D.A.R.E Decision Making Model” and how to use it when presented with different situations and choices. They will learn the concept of “agree to disagree.” Students will also work in groups to discuss conflict scenarios.
Lesson 4: Refuse
Students will practice being able to say “NO” in a clear assertive way during different situations. We will use video to discuss different strategies and learn verbal and non-verbal ways to be assertive.
Lesson 5: Explain
Students will use and learn the “Explain strategy” by learning to give reasons for their actions, opinions, or beliefs by using “I” statements. We will also use a video to model the strategy.
Lesson 6: Avoid
Students will use and learn the “Avoid strategy” by discussing ways to avoid unfavorable situations. We will role play and use real life situations in discussion. There will also be some video used to demonstrate different ways to use the strategy.
Lesson 7: Leave
Students will learn the “Leave strategy” and practice this through role play, discussion using their own stories.
Lesson 8: Norms
We will discuss social behavior and define the difference between social norms, peer norms, and personal norms. We will also discuss how norms can influence behavior and personal choices.
Lesson 9: Feelings
Discuss how people have different emotions and how each person may express those emotions differently. We will use role play to deal with conflict scenarios and practice solving conflicts in a positive manner.
Lesson 10: Conclusion
Discuss how the “R.E.A.L strategies” can be used through everyday life with family and friends. We will also discuss and identify students’ support network.