Overview
In this module, students begin to develop responsible decision-making skills by exploring how their choices impact their safety, relationships, and sense of self. They learn to think critically, stay safe online and offline, and practice kindness as a guiding value. Through music and art, students consider the consequences of their actions, the value of curiosity, and the importance of making thoughtful, informed decisions that align with their values.
Lesson Plans
Lesson 1:
Safe and Sound: Personal Safety Skills for Everyday Life
In this lesson, students will learn about personal safety as a set of learnable skills and strategies. They will begin by defining personal safety and understanding why prioritizing it matters for their health, relationships, and future. Students will explore key tools for staying safe, including situational awareness, risk reduction, and the role of instinct, and consider how to balance caution with fear and anxiety. Students will practice applying these tools through scenario-based discussion and examine how a support system connects to personal safety. Finally, students will create a street art project that communicates a personal safety message of their own design.
Lesson 2:
Mindful Media: Balancing Screen Time and Real Life
In this lesson, students will discuss how social media can enhance or inhibit connection with others. They will consider how they use social media (if they use it at all), and will understand how things like false information, idealized images, and overuse may be affecting them mentally, emotionally, physically, and in their relationships. After reflecting on their own experiences, students will consider some guidelines for healthy engagement, then create a plan for social media use that emphasizes safety and positivity.
Lesson 3:
In Every Step: Practicing Kindness
In this lesson, students will explore the concept of kindness. They will learn to distinguish kindness from niceness, identify simple acts of kindness they can practice daily, and understand how kindness can be both active and courageous. Students will also reflect on the importance of being kind to themselves. The lesson concludes with students imagining a country where kindness is the core value, and considering the words and actions that would shape life in such a place.
Lesson 4:
Upside Down: Exploring Curiosity
In this lesson, students will explore the meaning and benefits of curiosity. They will consider how to practice curiosity by learning more, exploring, listening, questioning, and investigating. Through this practice, they will recognize how curiosity can expand their perspective, increase their happiness, and positively impact their relationships. Students will apply their curiosity to a creative writing exercise, imagining themselves as detectives searching for the identity of the elusive street artist Banksy.