Choices Life Skills Program  |  Making Choices Life Skills Curriculum | Resources/Testimonials

MAKING CHOICES provides a powerful life skills curriculum that empowers teens to make healthy and positive life choices. Consistent with parenting skills education guidelines required in many states, this program is based on a strong framework of proven methods. Utilizing a cognitive behavioral approach, MAKING CHOICES provides a variety of interactive and personal activities that fosters critical thinking, problem solving, and personal and educational goal setting.  By Mary Halter and Barbara Fierro. The strength of the MAKING CHOICES Curriculum lies in its flexibility. MAKING CHOICES can be delivered in either a co-ed or single sex group or classroom setting.

Advantages to the MAKING CHOICES Curriculum:

1. Cognitive/Educational (experiential learning) Approach.  Recent research shows this approach to be extremely effective with youth, especially those in the juvenile justice system.
   
   
2. Simple, Effective Curriculum.  Contains Ninety-six complete 50-minute lesson plans and
   minimal prep time provide needed support to instructors.
   
   
3. Flexible Lesson Plans.  Each lesson plan contains:  objective, procedure, activity, summary points assignment and teacher preparation, lecturette and materials list.  The broad range of topics covered includes: self-esteem building and interpersonal skills development, career planning and money management, conflict resolution techniques, and boundary setting in regards to sexual behavior and drug abuse. Each individual lesson can be delivered independently, presented as
   part of a unit, or delivered as a full 3 month, six month, or one year course.
   
   
4. Student Workbook.  The workbook (student’s personal journal) reinforces the lessons taught, providing a personal record of a student’s individual change, skill development, and progress.
5. Staff training.  Lesson plans, tips for working with adolescents, and facilitation techniques provide on the job training for teachers and staff. This built-in training is particularly valuable as schools
   and institutions experience dramatic budget reductions.
   
   
6. Builds bridges between teens and parents: Students bring the workbook home and share the life skills information with their parent, adding an additional benefit of involving parents in the process. Parents gain new perspectives and fresher and more positive avenues of communication evolve between parent and child.
   
   
7. Student Workbook (Spanish Edition): Not only offers the workbook to Spanish speaking students where language is a barrier to learning, but it allows the parents to help their children and share in the life skills building process as well.
   

Used Successfully in:
Life skills training and education  
Career education and planning
Independent living
Counseling 
Drop-out prevention
Teen pregnancy Prevention
Juvenile justice placements 
Teen parent programs
English and social studies
Student orientation

	MAKING CHOICES CURRICULUM GUIDE (310 Pages) Contains ninety-six complete 50-minute detailed lesson plans, including group activities and study assignments. Minimal pre-planning necessary. Instruction can begin immediately. Lessons designed to be used sequentially or stand alone to meet needs of population.
	MAKING CHOICES STUDENT WORKBOOK (240 pages) Contains all the same exercises for the full 96-lesson curriculum translated into Spanish. Designed and illustrated to be the student’s personalized record of thoughts, skill building, goal-setting, and learning.
	TOMANDO DECISIONES Student Workbook – Spanish Edition Contains all the same exercises for the full 96-lesson curriculum translated into Spanish. Designed and illustrated to be the student’s personalized record of thoughts, skill building, goal-setting, and learning. 240 pages