Health
Peer-pressure problems
Risks of drugs, alcohol, Health
Understanding the risks of pressure from peers to experiment with alcohol and drugs is vital for teenagers. Brummy Boy offers activities to encourage discussion and provides useful information on the consequences of each. Meanwhile, Charlie_seatherton’s speech-bubble task allows pupils to apply their knowledge of drugs and consider their social effects.
There are also resources on difficult topics such as self-harm and depression. One video from Teachers TV provides a personal view of the trauma of self-harm; another addresses complex emotional and behavioural issues. Cj2105‘s PowerPoint on mental health covers a variety of issues relating to depression and anxiety, including information about how diet and exercise can help to encourage a positive mental attitude.
Teachers TV has also provided a number of video resources on sex education, covering topics such as peer pressure, relationships and sexual health. Others include a game shared by rubeegloom which demonstrates how quickly STDs can be transmitted. An activity on same-sex relationships for the interactive whiteboard has been uploaded by DJ_Skoolio which aims to help pupils support friends in diverse relationships and consider their attitudes towards homosexual relationships.
tes.co.ukteenagers
News
Spy school
Training firm Spy Games is launching a programme to help pupils learn about teamwork, communication and problem-solving through espionage-themed activities, including code-breaking, laser combat and surveillance.
www.spy-games.com
Easi to respond
ICT company RM has launched RM Easirespond, which allows pupils to participate in classroom assessment. Teachers can create activities incorporating video, text and audio; students then use the wireless voting system to give feedback. www.rmlightbox.comproducteasirespond
WISE words
The WISE Adviser Award 2011 is now open to entries from people who have helped girls and young women to pursue STEM subjects. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on 16 September.
www.theukrc.orgnews-and-eventswise-annual-awards-2011
Other key issues
From gangs to finance
Pack mentality and managing money
Gang culture is covered in a series of true stories filmed and shared by TrueTube and there are discussion and activity ideas in the corresponding activity resources. Through questionnaires, group discussion and role-play, pupils can gain a greater understanding of why gangs exist and the consequences of being involved.
Elsewhere, the Personal Finance Education Group has collated a number of resources to help teach the importance of managing personal finance to young people. Assembly ideas, lesson plans, case studies and activities are all available to help prepare students for the financial challenges they may face when they are older. Other TES users have uploaded games that test pupils’ ability in managing their money (goldson1) and ones that test their problem-solving and maths abilities (clarinetguy).
tes.co.ukteenagers
Bullying
How to tackle intimidation
Difference and hateful behaviour explored
These resources - including videos, lesson plans and activities - encourage students to become more aware of bullying.
Videos from Teachers TV include material on cyberbullying and sexual bullying. For example, pioneers in the field Shona Bruce and Leonie Hodge deliver workshops to teenagers on tackling sexual bullying.
TrueTube uses real-life stories such as that of Jess, a disabled model, to encourage students to think about what it means to have a disability and help to support diversity and challenge discrimination.
Flashcards provided by Snivel and Shriek (starfish1954) offer useful starting points for discussion. Cards asking “What would you do if ...?” encourage teenagers to think about how they would feel in particular situations and how they would handle them.
The National Autistic Society has created a help-sheet for young people with an autism spectrum disorder. The guide explains what bullying is, how to keep safe, and offers ideas on breaktime activities.
A resource shared by Brentford0 on homophobic bullying includes information from the Gay Police Association. Activities such as the “difference game” encourage pupils to embrace diversity and eradicate hateful behaviour.
tes.co.ukteenagers.
