It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through November. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and then most school districts will give students a week, or perhaps more, for winter break around the holidays. While this is the time of year that students are in a groove and set in their routines, it is also the time of year that many lose focus.
I spent more than 20 years working as a special education teacher, and I know firsthand how challenging it can be to get students to focus on their schoolwork around this time of year. Some have special trips planned to visit relatives for the holidays, while others have birthday parties, concerts, and sporting events to attend. That is why having lesson plans that are engaging and of interest to students with varying needs is incredibly important. If students do not enjoy the subject matter that they are learning, they will tune out and not stay focused.
Our Healthy Relationships Curriculum is focused on providing educators the tools they need to teach critical life and social skills activities to students with varying needs. That can include students who may be on the autism spectrum, have a learning disability, or have an emotional challenge. Reaching students at their level is vital, especially when they need to learn about topics like hygiene, how to stay safe online, dating, establishing appropriate physical boundaries, and bullying.
I am passionate about the Healthy Relationships Curriculum because I have seen so many educators and students across the country benefit from it. There is one component of our program that I believe is invaluable—our video lessons. When you purchase our program, you obtain immediate access to over 140 video and corresponding lesson plans which feature real adolescents who are acting out role-playing and demonstrations. Take a look at a sample video lesson on how students should behave in public restrooms here. By presenting these real-life issues in a format that your students can understand, I have no doubt they will stay engaged and focused on the material you are teaching.
In addition to the lesson plans, videos, role-playing, and demonstrations, you also receive access to an online portal that allows you to share resources directly with families and others that are in your students’ lives. I would encourage you to take a look at one of the sample lessons or reach out to me and request a free demonstration of how our program works.
