Curriculum Materials
There are limited curriculum materials available for the topic of teen dating violence. And there is no one comprehensive curriculum that covers all the subtopics. Therefore it is necessary to utilize various materials as we teach this topic. The following is a list of curriculum materials that have been used with success by health teachers.
Safe Dates, An Adolescent Dating Abuse Prevention Curriculum
Hazeldon Publishing
www.hazeldon.org/safedates
1-800-257-7800
This curriculum is research based and considered a Model Program by the National Registry of Effective Programs and it is on the list of Exemplary & Promising Programs of Samhsa, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Administration. It is an excellent curriculum.
It is 9 sessions long. In our school district in Rhode Island, we teach the first three sessions in eighth grade and the remainder of the sessions in grade nine.
Love is not Abuse: a teen dating violence prevention curriculum
Liz Claiborne Inc
www.loveisnotabuse.com
This is a terrific three lesson plan unit. It is available free of charge from Liz Claiborne Inc. It can be taught at any grade in high school, but the sooner the better, as teens are in romantic relationships early on.
Choose Respect
www.chooserespect.org
AWESOME, MUST USE!! interactive middle school curriculum;
Centers for Disease Control
Department of Health and Human Services
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
See notes under VIDEO below
STUDENTS LOVE THIS WEBSITE; I have students complete the student handout, then play Game and make video; video could also be assigned as homework project; See link below for student handout and test that I gave after using both SafeDates (Lessons 1,2,3) and chooserespect.org in my Grade 8 Health classes…see forum for feedback Also, 30 min. video can be used for parent presentations. Info for running an awareness campaign.
Download Choose Respect handout (Word Document)
Download the Teen Dating Test (Word Document)
Expect Respect
www.SafePlace.org This program consists of 3 parts: SUPPPORT GROUP MANUAL (24 week curriculum for youth victims who have experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, or abusive dating relationships). This is an excellent curriculum for a support group which should be run by a school mental health professional or community agency mental health professional (social workers, psychologists, guidance). In also includes a YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING MANUAL, including the SafeTeens curriculum and culminating with a student-led awareness project in the school or community. This group could be run by educators. And lastly, it includes a MANUAL OF SCHOOL-WIDE PREVENTION STRATEGIES to engage the entire school community. This is a research-based program. Great for schools who want to include intervention for victims …..truly a must for all schools.
Domestic Violence 101
Break the Cycle
www.breakthecycle.org
This is a unit that covers basic information.
Check our list of websites in the teacher links for additional on-line lesson plans
Your local *Coalition Against Domestic Violence will probably have lesson plans or units on dating violence that they might share with you. Many also will provide dating violence lessons at your school.
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence has a Resource Guide for Educators filled with information and 4 lesson plans. Teachers can request a copy free of charge from any local R.I. agency. Their educators will also teach lessons, free of charge, on dating violence in school upon request. www.ricadv.org
Katie Brown Education Program
Teaches dating violence units in schools; may request a donation
Has developed a wonderful hands-on activity-based and teacher friendly curriculum for grades 5-9; curriculum and training is available for school teachers
www.kbep.org
Day One, Rhode Island Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center
Provides education in schools; offers free one day overview, there is a fee for subsequent lessons
www.satrc.org
Websites
Found on websites:
Love Is Respect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
www.loveisrespect.org
Teen victims can call and talk to a trained teen helper for support…some have been in abusive relationships in the past; video, PSA’s, Digital Teen Dating Bill of Rights, and more
Melissa’s Story
www.opdv.state.ny.us click on teens…
Can be used when teaching victimization
Dating & Violence Should Never Be A Couple (video)
www.abanet.org/unmet/toolkitmaterials.html
Choose Respect
www.chooserespect.org
AWESOME, MUST USE!! interactive middle school curriculum;
Centers for Disease Control
Department of Health and Human Services
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Michigan 3 lesson plan unit
www.michigan.gov
Search “dating violence lesson plans” then follow the links for “Dating Violence Education Package”
Gender Stereotypes Lesson Plans
www.media-awareness.ca/english/index.cfm – click “For Teachers”, then in “Lesson Library” look up “stereotyping” and scan for many lesson plans on gender stereotypes
In addition to the above website materials, the websites listed in the teacher links have a wealth of materials including brochures, handouts, poetry, victim stories, etc.
Books
Breathing Underwater
By Alex Flinn
HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Excerpts from Breathing Underwater are used in the Liz Claiborne curriculum. In our school district, this book is mandatory summer reading for all ninth graders. If this book is then discussed in English class, it is advisable for English teachers to be trained in the topic of dating violence. It also can be used in Advisory, read by teacher who is trained in tdv topic and discussed.
Gift of Fear
By Gavin DeBecker
This book can be used as a resource tool for teachers, and Chapters 1 and 4 (ex Parking Lot Scenario and Girl on a Plane) could be used when teaching about victimization. It is not advisable for students to read this book.
Videos
Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse and Violence
13 minute video for teens and 30 minute video for parents, go to Choose Respect website and click on Materials and order link on the right www.chooserespect.org
Break the Silence CDC produced video for parents on dating violence go to: http://www.cdc.gov/features/cdctv
also has videos on other health topics…good teacher resource
Stop the Violence, A Look at Teen Dating
Created by the Sandy City Police Department. Very nicely done and definitely worth showing. Includes interviews with teen victims and scenarios of tdv. 20 minutes long. There is a $2.50 mailing fee. Contact Officer Amanda Walton for a complimentary DVD at www.sandy.utah.gov/policedepartment.video.html
When Dating Turns Dangerous
But He Loves Me
Dating for Real: Building Safe & Healthy Relationships
Series of 3 videos, can be purchased as a set or individually through Human Relations Media
www.etr.org also has a series of student pamphlets on dating/domestic violence; dating safely, date rape
Posters
Great set of posters: Unhealthy Relationships cost $49.95 for 6 laminated posters
Health and Drug Education, Culver City, CA 1-800-421-4246
Please contact us with any lesson plans, activities, books, videos, etc that you have found to be useful and effective. If possible, include the name of the publisher, author etc. We will add your ideas to these lists. Your input is welcome and invaluable. Teachers sharing and helping each other….that’s is the purpose of this website! Thank you!**
About Lindsay
Lindsay could easily be described as the “the girl next door”. She grew up on a small street in the suburbs, knowing all the neighbors and playing with all the children in the neighborhood. They went to school together, played in the neighborhood together, celebrated birthdays together, went to extra-curricular activities together, attended religious education classes together, and sometimes, even went on vacation together. Some of her closest friends from our old neighborhood felt much sadness and pain upon hearing of her murder. Read more about Lindsay’s story.