Too Good For Drugs

4th graders at both schools have just started a unit called Too Good for Drugs (TGFD).  All schools are required to have some sort of Drug Education program.  TGFD is the program that ACPS has adopted for our 4th graders.  This unit covers both School Counseling (EP8, EP9, EP10, EP11) and Health (4.2, 4.3) SOLs for 4^th grade.
      The goals of this program are 1. to develop some safety skills that help them make smart choices in uncomfortable or tempting situations; and 2. to have some background on what a drug is and why they can be dangerous.

     This can be an uncomfortable topic for both parents and students (giggling not uncommon).  I try hard to make the lessons engaging and enjoyable without undermining the seriousness of the topic. Here is an outline of the lessons and some notes on my "spin" on them.  I invite you to contact me at ANY time if you are unclear or unsure about any of these lessons.

1. Goal setting (having goals and things that matter to you give you reasons to make good choices)
2. Goal boosters/busters (make good choices about who you choose to spend time with)
3. Decision-Making (plan your actions, evaluate your choices and problem-solve using the steps for responsible decision-making.  Students will also discuss when decisions should be made alone or with the help of a responsible adult)
4. Managing Emotions (recognizing and managing emotions with healthy strategies)
5. Effective Communication (skills for resolving conflict, sharing ideas, and working cooperatively)
6. Relationships (healthy and unhealthy friendships)
7. Peer Pressure (what it is - why is effective and then 6 strategies to stand up to it)
8. Effects of Alcohol
9. Effects of Tobacco
10. Safe use of Over the Counter Medicines & Prescriptions

CARES: Empathy

January's theme  is Empathy. In the lower grades we've discussed how empathy is when you can imaging how someone else might feel or what it's like to be in their shoes.  Kindergartners loved watching the Sesame Street clip with Murray trying to figure out what it is (and his subsequent "Happy Dance").  We've watched clips from popular animated movies and looked for examples of empathy - like when Lightning McQueen gives up a win in the race to help his friend when he realizes he is hurt. We also played the game "How Would You Feel?"  In the upper grades, we've explored it through the lens of decision-making and how thinking about the consequences for both yourself and others can lead to better decisions for everyone.