Franklin County Health Department
Public Health Saves Lives
Positive Potential
8th Grade Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
Overall Information
- Developed by PATH (Positive Approach to Teen Health)
- Based on various Theoretical Frameworks
- Holistic (Approach)
- Theory of Possible Selves
- Theory of Planned Behavior
- Social Learning Theory
- Social Norming Theory
- Cognitive Theory of Multi-Media Learning
- ARCS Model of Motivational Design
- Problem Based Learning
- Theory of Reasoned Action
- Bandura’s Theory of Self Efficacy
- The Developmental Assets
- Protective Factors
- School Connectedness
Day 1 Overview
- Today, students will:
- 1-1 Introduction
- Understand how decisions affect the Whole Person (Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual) and how choices made today can either help or hinder their lives in the future
- 1-2 Icebreaker
- Be challenged to make different decisions through the opening activity
- 1-3 Five Parts of the Whole Person
- Identify the Five Parts of the Whole Person (physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual)
- Recognize how day-to-day decisions can affect each area of the Whole Person
- Discuss how choices made today will help or hinder their lives now and possibly in the future
- 1-4 What Goes Around Comes Around
- Identify the consequences of heaving multiple sexual partners and its effects on all Five Parts of the Whole Person
- 1-5 Road to Romance
- Identify the stages of physical intimacy and which behaviors are low risks, high risks, or no risk for contracting STDs or becoming pregnancy
- Identify personal limitations and boundaries regarding sexual physical contact
- Identify the specific types of sexual physical contact that fit within their personal boundaries
- Identify benefits of waiting to have sex
- 1-6 Transition and Charge
- Recall what they’ve learned and apply it to the charge they receive at the end of the session which is to choose their own sexual boundary and explain why they set it there
- Encouraged to discuss their response with a trusted adult
Day 2 Overview
- Today, students will:
- 2-1 P2 Review
- Recall what they’ve learned in the previous session by sharing their responses from the assigned charge
- 2-2 Option 1: Stuck Together
- Understand how multiple sexual relationships can cause STDs
- Define direct and indirect sexual connections
- Recognize the effects that a sexually active relationship can have on the Five Parts of the Whole Person
- 2-2 Option 2: Choice Points
- Recall how each negative choice made by characters in the Choice Points actively lead to a negative future
- Examine the decisions made in the Choice Points activity and how different decisions could have resulted in different outcomes
- 2-3 Streamline
- Identify 6 of the most common STDs among their age group and which of these STDs are viral or bacterial
- Identify how each specific STD is transmitted
- Identify signs and symptoms of specific STDs
- Identify condoms as a risk of reduction form of contraception
- Comprehend abstinence as the most effective method of contraception
- 2-4 Transition and Charge
- Apply what they’ve learned by answering several questions regarding abstinence, how the choice to abstain now can affect their futures, and who they can talk with about those choices
- Encouraged to discuss their response with a trusted adult
Day 3 Overview
- Today, students will:
- 3-1 P2 Review
- Recall what they’ve learned in the previous session by sharing their responses from the assigned charge
- 3-2 Multiple Choices
- Identify several types of contraception
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of using contraception
- 3-3 Multiple Choices Game
- Answer questions about contraception in a group game
- 3-4 Jay’s Story
- Recognize the dangers and connections between teen drugs and sexual activity
- Identify the benefits of setting personal boundaries
- 3-5 Transition and Charge
- Apply what they’ve learned by answering several questions about why and how to avoid risky sexual behaviors
- Encouraged to discuss their response with a trusted adult
Day 4 Overview
- Today, students will:
- 4-1 P2 Review
- Recall what they’ve learned in the previous session by sharing their responses from the assigned charge
- 4-2 Are You in Control
- Understand the effects of alcohol on the Five Parts of the Whole Person
- Identify how alcohol can alter the brain, potentially leading to poor sexual decisions
- 4-3 Refusal Skills
- Use effective problem solving and refusal skills when dealing with peer pressure
- Recognize peer pressure that encourages them to engage in sexual activity
- 4-4 Transition and Charge
- Apply what they’ve learned by reading an assigned scenario, identifying the risky behavior and type of pressure involved, and using the refusal skills needed to avoid a negative outcome
- Encouraged to discuss their response with a trusted adult
Day 5 Overview
- Today, student will:
- 5-1 P2 Review
- Recall what they’ve learned in the previous session by sharing their responses from the assigned charge
- 5-2 Possible Future
- Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses
- Create images of their possible selves, expected selves, and feared selves
- Set personal goals that align with their designed future selves
- 5-3 Final Transition and Charge
- Encouraged to sign a commitment to themselves to make healthy choices which will help them reach their goals and leave an amazing legacy