PATTS

Peaceful Alternatives for Tough Situations  

A 9-week modularized program for children k - 12

Middle & High School Curriculum

Session 1 – Group Orientation

GROUP PURPOSE:  Clarify the group purpose and expectations along with the definition of aggressive behavior.  Students will participate in team building exercises and establishing personal positive behavior goals.

SESSION 2 – Expressing Emotions

GROUP PURPOSE:  Encourage group members to verbalize their feelings instead of acting them out.  It will help them to be more aware of the negative consequences of internalizing feelings and the need for a support system in their lives.

SESSION 3 – Anger Cues

GROUP PURPOSE : Group members will clarify their anger cues which are warning signs of the intensity of their anger.  The group members will also determine ways to calm themselves down when they are getting angry.

SESSION 4 – Body Language

GROUP PURPOSE:  This group session will help group members to recognize the level of control they have over their behavior and other people. This will encourage them to take responsibility for their actions.  The session will focus on the group member’s body language and the impact it can have on conflict situations. 

SESSION 5 – Soothing and Stinking Thinking

GROUP PURPOSE:   This session will help group members learn that their thoughts about a situation can determine how they will react.  They will learn that they have choices in how they think about events between negative or stinking thinking or positive or soothing thinking.

SESSION 6 – Conflict Resolution Styles

GROUP PURPOSE :  Group members will learn three types of conflict resolution styles.  They will learn which styles they currently use in a variety of situations and alternative methods of handling conflict situations.

SESSION 7 – Forgiveness

GROUP PURPOSE:  This session will teach group members the importance of forgiveness in conflict resolution.  It will emphasize that “forgiveness” does not mean that we condone people mistreating us.  It means that we will no longer let the situation control us because we will let go of our anger.

SESSION 8 – Peer Refusal

This is a group session that is recommended for the Middle School population.  It may be substituted in the High School for Session 8 (Violence and Your Future) if the facilitators deem it relevant.

GROUP PURPOSE:  Group members will learn positive ways of saying “No” to negative peer pressure.  It will emphasize the consequences of unhealthy choices.

SESSION 8 – Violence and Your Future

This is a group session that is recommended for the High School Population.  It may be substituted in the Middle School for Session 8 (Peer Refusal) if the facilitators deem it relevant.

GROUP PURPOSE:  This group exercise will encourage the group members to consider the consequences to violence and its effects on their future.  It will emphasize the choices that they make now may affect their future goals and dreams.

SESSION 9 – Review/ Graduation

GROUP PURPOSE:  This session will review all the concepts taught in the program.  Participants will also have an opportunity to be recognized for completing the program.

Teacher Training

This session will provide teachers with an understanding of the PATTS program and the skills that were taught to the students in the PATTS program.

Objectives

·         Teachers will understand how students are chosen for the PATTS program

·         Teachers will understand the logistics of the program including how many sessions, meeting times, etc.

·         Teachers will understand the basic concepts taught to the students regarding positive conflict resolution skills.

·         Teachers will have an understanding of how to utilize these skills in their classrooms.

Parent Training

This session will provide parents/guardian with an understanding of the PATTS program and the skills that were taught to the students in the PATTS program.

Objectives

·         Parents/guardians will learn the objectives of the PATTS program.

·         Parents/guardians will learn ways to support their children in using the positive conflict resolution skills taught in the PATTS program

If help and salvation are to come, they can only come from the children, for the children are the makers of men....Maria Montessori