This unique multimedia curriculum empowers youth to understand anger and make courageous choices. The Options to Anger approach has been developed extensive application with youth in the juvenile justice system by youth services veterans Dr. John Crumbley and John Aarons. This "best-practice" model helps youth replace "victim mentality" with personal responsibility, learn effective communication skills, and use courage to make good choices. Options to Anger transforms this model into an effective, engaging, even entertaining animated curriculum that will make a lasting difference for youth and staff alike.
Students will learn to:
- change their thinking about anger
- take personal responsibility and ownership for feelings and behavior
- understand invitations that lead to anger and develop positive alternative responses
- build effective communication skills
- maintain respect for themselves and others even in conflicts
Topics include: the automatic anger cycle, invitations to anger, warning signs, "I" statements, earning respect, taking space, anchoring, and negotiation.
Options to Anger weaves together DVD modules, classroom discussions and exercises, and can include web-based activities. There are 15 classroom sessions and four additional classes for extended role-playing exercises. Begin each session by watching a 'virtual' Options to Anger group in action on the DVD. The animated scenarios paint a picture of real-life conflicts expressed by the teens in the group, with leader John Aarons guiding the students through each lesson. These compelling stories become a catalyst for discussions in your own group. The Facilitator's Guide provides step-by-step direction for each session and helps the leader draw out the best in each student.
The DVD and classroom instruction can be combined with homework activities on Vstreet.com, a dynamic website that teaches life and social skills for teens.
Learn more about Vstreet.com.
DVD, curriculum guide with reproducible masters.
Also available 'UnBleeped' version. 'Unbleeped' version has raw language.
View Northwest Media's research study on Options to Anger.
