This is a suggested curriculum and can be easily adjusted based on the requirements of your program. Each segment of the curriculum is modular and can be used in any order. This curriculum requires the use of both the Urban and the Midwest Versions of The Choice Game™.
“My Family” explores the changing relationships that youths have with their parents, guardians, and siblings as they mature and it shows how these relationships affect their decision-making.
“Myself” looks at youths’ feelings of self-esteem and self-respect and the role that they play when faced with difficult choices.
Scenario: In this part of The Choice Game™ we are going to meet two young people: Jared (African American) and Sally (Caucasian). Each has different families, different situations and different challenges.
Let’s begin with Jared. He was with a group of “friends” who were drinking alcohol at a school event. His friends were suspended. He was verbally reprimanded and his parents were called. Jared was not sanctioned by the school administration because he was not drinking.
Sally’s Mom is a single parent. She works hard and long hours to support the family. Sally has felt she is left alone to make her own choices, but yearns for the guidance from her family. She is exploring her options and lifestyles as she decides whom her “friends” will be.
Objectives:
Explores the harmful effects of destructive substances and how they dramatically impair decision-making abilities. Under age drinking and illegal drugs can destroy lives and futures. Unsupervised parties where both alcohol and drugs are present lead to dangerous outcomes.
Scenario: In this segment of the game Adam’s parents (Caucasian) are on vacation and he has decided to have some of his friends over for an unsupervised party with beer, marijuana and other substances. As the segment begins some friends (All Caucasian) can decide to go to the movies instead of being at the party. If the choice is made to go to the party the consequences can be as simple as a messy house with parents who ground Adam, to possible date rape, an arrest, an accident with a resulting death and other serious consequences.
Objectives:
Explores the harmful effects of destructive substances and how they dramatically impair decision-making abilities. Drugs are illegal and the fact is some drugs can lead to confusion, broken dreams, unplanned pregnancies, various STDs and other diseases.
Scenario: In this part of The Choice Game™, Rachael (Hispanic) is hooked on a variety of drugs. She is in denial. Her friend Jeremy (African American) has to decide if he is going to be tempted by Rachael’s advances and try the drug (Ecstasy) she has brought, or will he stand his ground. He can decide to use peer counseling and mentoring skills to get her off drugs. She may become pregnant or at least she says that she is. He worries about contracting an STD, ruining his future college plans and in one dramatic outcome Rachael dies from complications of the drug and Jeremy gets wrongfully arrested for her death.
Objectives:
Influences examines the effects of the media, peer pressure and substances on youth. In today’s media-oriented society young people receive far too many provocative messages on the TV, in the movies and through music. This segment of The Choice Game™ examines how sex is used to sell products including alcohol and cigarettes. Other influences explored include peer pressure to become involved in marijuana, alcohol and sex. The young people make decisions that can lead to an STD, a broken heart or a possible unplanned pregnancy.
Scenario: In this segment of The Choice Game™, Sally (Caucasian) and Regana (African American) meet in the cafeteria at school only learn that both will be out of school tomorrow to be at a Career Day with their parents. Coincidentally they learn that their parents’ work for the same company called Global Media.
These two young women learn a lot about how the media works to attract youth to their products. We see how this experience follows them into their every day lives and choices.
Objectives: