The Fourth R
Publisher's Description
The Fourth R is a comprehensive school-based prevention program for adolescent risk behaviours. The foundation is a 21-lesson skill-based curriculum that promotes healthy relationships and targets bullying, high-risk sexual behaviour and substance use among adolescents. Multiple forms of violence are addressed in The Fourth R – bullying, dating violence, peer violence, and group violence. Furthermore, there is a significant focus on the role of the bystander in preventing violence among peers.
The contention of The Fourth R is that relationships skills can be taught in the same way as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Furthermore, given the plethora of negative relationship models available to teens, it is crucial that adolescents be exposed to healthy alternatives and equipped with the skills to engage in healthy relationships themselves. During the course of the 21 lessons, students engage in extensive skill-development and role-play activities to help them develop effective and healthy responses to situations of conflict and violence.
The Fourth R is comprised of three units: Personal Safety and Injury Prevention (peer and dating violence prevention), Healthy Growth and Sexuality, and Substance Use/Abuse. Each unit contains similar themes of value clarification, provision of information, decision-making, and an extensive skill-development component. Furthermore, connections among the three units are emphasized throughout.
The Fourth R has been carefully designed through a partnership between educators and researchers, and meets all of the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum expectations for the Grade 9 Physical and Health Education – Healthy Living strand. It is based on extensive research and applies best-practice approaches to building skills and reducing harm among adolescents. Preliminary pilot data suggest healthier attitudes and beliefs among students in The Fourth R compared to students in regular health classes.
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