Decisions for Teens, one of a suite of DECISIONS programs offered by Vita, is a cognitively-based curriculum that teaches a five-step process for making sound choices in real life situations. The interactive process is taught using relevant stories and personal situations that teens between the ages of 13 to 19 face on a daily basis. Through the process, teens develop an awareness of what control they have in situations and can assume responsibility for their actions.
The course is approximately 12-16 hours in length, depending on the number of participants. It can be delivered in time frames of 45 minutes to two hours to meet the needs of the host school or organization. There is flexibility for the facilitator to choose all or some of the lessons.
The Curriculum Package includes:
Facilitator Manual
The facilitator manual provides objectives for each activity, an explanation of key concepts and a step-by-step description for all instructional activities.
Student workbook
The student workbook follows the five-step process, provides examples of the process and gives teens the opportunity to use the process with their own life situations.
Poster
The poster provides a visual overview of the STAR approach and the five point process.
DVD
The DVD offers a series of teen vignettes of two to three minutes each to accompany the workbook activities.
Supplemental activities
Handouts can be downloaded from our website to provide extension and enrichment activities.
Features
- Focuses on self-awareness and responsible decision-making. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) identified these skill sets as fundamental to social and emotional well-being.
- Is relevant to students’ lives.
- Uses a variety of learning strategies. Lessons include whole class discussion, small and large group activities, role plays and simulations and reflective writing.
- Can be integrated into existing curriculum. The program can be delivered as a stand alone or within existing subject areas such as English, health, or leadership courses. Activities have applicability to content areas such as social studies and science.
- Is research-based. The curriculum draws on the latest research in psychology, youth development, social-emotional learning, and prevention education.
- Provides for ongoing self assessment. Pre and post student surveys, journal logs, and course completion evaluation can be used to monitor process and evaluate the course.
Benefits
- All classroom and prep materials are included in the package
- Facilitator manual provides the necessary support to lead groups
- Stories have been developed with teens to make program relevant
- Training is available at Vita or on-site
- It has been used and tested in a variety of settings
For more information about the Decisions for Teens Curriculum Package contact Linda Wolfson at lwolfson@vitaeducation.org
