Standard of Learning

5.1   The student will demonstrate the interpersonal skills necessary to build healthy relationships. Key concepts/skills include:

1. the development of positive social skills;
2. the use of refusal and conflict resolution skills;
3. effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills that convey care, consideration, and respect for self and others.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand how to resolve conflicts peacefully and ways to say NO to unhealthy situations.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• describe refusal skills:
• say NO firmly;
• give reasons or an excuse;
• walk away;
• change the subject;
• suggest an alternative activity; or
• ignore the problem.
• list procedures for resolving conflicts:
  • stay calm;
  • calm others down;
  • be a good listener;
  • be assertive and not aggressive or passive;
  • be respectful; and
  • solve the problem.

Sample Lessons

Conflict Management Techniques
Grade(s) 4-12
The objective of this lesson is to identify personal management style(s), develop an awareness of strategies used in each conflict management style.  It is useful to assess our predominant conflict management style(s) because we tend to get stuck in one or two styles and apply them inappropriately.  The emphasis is not on judging any style right or wrong.  Each person determines their predominant conflict management style.
http://www.youth.net/cec/cecmisc/cecmisc.33.txt
Free

It's My Life: "The Dangers of Drug Abuse"
Grade(s) 4-7
This lesson teaches students that they will be faced with a variety of decisions regarding their health, and that some of them might involve substances of abuse. Experimentation with drugs often begins in early adolescence.
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/parents/dangers_of_drug_abuse.html
Free

LifeSkills Training
Grades: K-5
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. Focuses on self-esteem, decision-making, influence of media, stress, communication, and assertiveness issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost

"Making Decisions"
Grade(s) 4-6
In this lesson students will learn to make decisions other than by default, by whim or chance, on the basis of emotions, or because of influence from others.  This lesson helps children develop tools that they can use in a variety of situations requiring decisions. When this approach is practiced and becomes familiar, it can provide a way for children to decide not to use drugs and or make other harmful choices in life.
http://www.sodat.org/Lesson%20Plan%204-6.htm
Free

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

Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies (PATHS)
Grades K-6
Model program to promote emotional & social competencies and reduce aggression and acting out. Includes emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations, and interpersonal problem-solving skills.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania State University and Channing Bete Company
Contact: http://www.preventionscience.com
Cost

Social Emotional Learning Lesson
Grade(s) 3-6
After reading a story, students will figure out a situation when someone has accepted “no” and dealt with the anger.  From this students will learn to solve problems and deal with anger.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COPArtIWantaDog.htm
Free
Grade 5
Students will find strategies to deal with another’s anger and to accept consequences.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP5SamiandtheTime.htm
Free
Grade(s) 5-8
Students will learn to recognize own anger and develop appropriate responses
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP5-8Oregon.htm
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• DARE Officers or Local Police Programs
• Drug and Violence Prevention – http://dave.esc4.net
• "Refuse to Use" - HealthTeacher.com – http://www.healthteacher.com
• K-6 Life Skills Learning Objectives - http://www.lifeskills4kids.com/learning_objectives.htm
• Life Skills Programs
• Social & Emotional Health – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/health.htm (health & fitness 3-5)
• Teaching Children About Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach - http://www.morton-pub.com - "Family Life and Relationships"

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• create a conduct check sheet or a behavioral contract.
• role-play refusal and conflict resolution skills.

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