Big Changes, Big Choices (DVDs) (for Grades 5-9)

Description

#7276  In this DVD series comedian/teen counselor Michael Pritchard helps young adolescents discover that they have the power and the responsibility to make the right choices for themselves. The TV cameras follow him to middle schools in different regions of the U.S. as he thrills his young listeners with unusual humor about growing up, and engages groups of teens in highly productive problem-solving sessions about serious issues that affect their lives.

Features include:

• Triggers group discussion
• Popular with kids
• Multicultural
• Enhances any character education or life skills program
• Research-based
• Teacher’s guides included

Each DVD is approximately 1/2 hour in length and includes a teacher’s guide with discussion questions, student activities, and writing assignments. Can purchase each separately for $69.95.

• Vol. 1: The Three Rs of Growing Up
  This overview program gives young viewers a solid basis for choices and actions.The first R stands for taking responsibility; growing up is a process of taking increasing responsibility for our choices and actions.

  The second R is for doing the right thing, which almost always produces the best result and leaves us feeling good about ourselves.

  The third R is for respecting ourselves, which leads us to make better choices and care more about doing our best.

• Vol. 2: You and Your Values
  This program looks at the issue of identity and explores some of the major elements that go into forming our identities.We examine internal factors such as values and beliefs, and externals such as clothes, hairstyles, etc. We consider that all important adolescent issue of “fitting in,” what that means, what we have to do and/or sacrifice to fit in, and when it’s worth it and when it’s not.
• Vol. 3: Enhancing Self-Esteem
  This program tells young people that every one of them is important and worthy, that what they do matters, and that they owe it to themselves to do and be their very best.We consider where high and low self-esteem come from, how our actions and choices either diminish or enhance our self-esteem, how to deal with external factors that affect our self-esteem, and how we affect the self-esteem of others.
• Vol. 4: Setting and Achieving Goals
  This program shows kids the benefits of learning to set and achieve goals, and teaches them how to distinguish between actual goals and mere wishes.They also see how they can benefit from failure as well as success, and how setting and achieving goals of their own choice boosts their self- confidence, their self-esteem, and the control they have over their lives.
• Vol. 5: Dealing with Pressures
  Entering middle school and becoming a teenager brings a batch of new pressures.Increased school work, higher expectations, greater stakes for academic performance, dating, social acceptance, bigger responsibilities and parental demands, more choices, more freedoms, all contribute to a lot of stress. This program explores positive, healthful ways for young adolescents to cope with it all.
• Vol. 6: Handling Emotions
  This program explores the emotional ups and downs of early adolescence. Viewers will see that kids their age commonly experience mood swings and strong emotions, including conflicting feelings.The program looks at positive, healthful ways of expressing feelings including anger, of coping with unpleasant feelings such as sadness, depression, and loneliness, and it encourages kids to deal with problems before they escalate into crises.
• Vol. 7: Preventing Conflicts and Violence
  With the escalating climate of conflict and violence in our schools and communities, this program challenges the underlying attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that cause most of the trouble.We look at how conflicts typically develop and how fights can be avoided. Insults and other disrespectful behaviors are discouraged. Kids are urged to find ways of controlling their anger, and to realize that violence is always a choice, a very bad choice.
• Vol. 8: Saying “NO” to Alcohol and Other Drugs
  This program presents and reinforces anti-drug attitudes and teaches practical techniques for saying “no” to our friends without appearing to be uncool.In addition to the specific matter of drug use, we examine the issue of peer pressure – both positive and negative – and figure out how to tell the difference. We consider why it’s important to resist negative peer pressure, and what that has to do with taking charge of our lives.
• Vol. 9: Speaking of Sex
  This program gives young adolescents the message that abstinence from sexual activity is normal and desirable at their age.We consider the emotional dangers of sexual activity, the reasons why young people often turn to sex to compensate for other emotional needs, and the realities of unwanted pregnancy and teen parenthood. Also, we emphasize the health risks of sex due to AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
• Vol. 10: Friendship
  As children enter adolescence, issues of friendship become more complex and more central in their lives.This program explores such matters as: the characteristics of good friendship, the differences between “true” friends and “false” friends, how to prevent trouble and handle change in friendships, and initiating new friendships. Also, we look at cliques and clubs, and what it means to either include or exclude others.
• Vol. 11: Getting Along with Parents
  As adolescents begin to take charge of their lives, their relationships with their parents change, often painfully. This show encourages kids to understand their parents’ concerns and motivations and to keep open the lines of communication.It urges them to take a realistic and empathetic view of their parents, and to realize that the freedom and autonomy they desire is best earned by proving to their parents that they are responsible and trustworthy.
• Vol. 12: Respecting Others
  This program emphasizes that everyone is entitled to respect regardless of appearance, race, national origin, disability, social status, etc. It attempts to sensitize kids to the feelings of others, and develop in them a value for treating people respectfully.Also, since conformity is such a powerful force in early adolescence, this show encourages kids not to reject people who are different from them, but to appreciate and embrace diversity and multiculturalism.

ILW

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