Powerful Choices

Powerful Choices is a unique 7-10 lesson series of risk avoidance curriculum, currently being used by schools and youth organizations.

	Series One (Grades 4 – 6)	Series Two (Grades 7 – 9)	Series Three (Grades 7 – 12)
Wisdom	Students learn to stop and think before making a choice.	Students understand how risk and consequence accompany each choice.	Students learn how to stay committed to their choices.
Awareness	Students understand character traits as related to self worth.	Students learn reasons teens abstain from or become involved in sexual activity.	Students learn how past choices affect future relationships.
Friendship	Students learn the dynamics of positive friendships as a two-way street.	Students understand the different levels of friendships and how they influence one’s actions.	Students learn the importance of building a strong foundation for friendship in marriage.
Control	No lesson in Series One.  May use part of the Series 2 lesson if needful.	Students learn how drugs and alcohol affect decision making.	Students learn about addiction and the consequences it can have on relationships.
Courage	Students understand that courage needs to be exercised to be effective.	Students learn how to be assertive rather than passive or aggressive when dealing with pressures to ignore their boundaries.	Students learn how manipulation and con games can affect a relationship.
Knowledge	Students are introduced to the consequences of risk behavior; drugs, weed and alcohol, sexual activity, stealing, lying and other risks.	Students learn about the prevalence and treatment of sexually transmitted diseaseswith an emphasis on choosing abstinence.	Students learn expanded information about STDs, types of contraception with efficacy and failure rates to protect from STDs
Boundaries	Students learn how to form appropriate boundaries pertaining to friendship; includes information on appropriate internet behavior.	Students learn what boundaries are and how to set them for themselves; how to ask for help from parents and others.	Students learn how brain development affects their ability to make wise decisions.
Excellence	Older youth present information about making wise choices;  wrap up lesson for Series One.	Older youth present their reasons for remaining abstinent until marriage; open question time.	Students are encouraged to envision their hopes and dreams for their lives as adults.
Ambition	No lesson in Series One.  May use part of the Series 2 lesson if needful.	Students are challenged to set personal goals for the future, and to be aware of potential roadblocks.	Students learn what it means and how to make a personal investment in their relationships.
Success	No lesson in Series One.  May use part of the Series 2 lesson if needful.	Students learn the positive effects abstinence can have on their lives, both present and future.	Students identify the benefits of waiting for marriage.

What Teachers Are Saying:

“Powerful Choices is a fabulous program! It is an engaging curriculum that is popular with both students and their parents. It uses an active learning style that makes the lessons meaningful and memorable for students. Connecting with today’s youth can be challenging and this curriculum certainly accomplishes making the connection!”
Barb Peterson – Harding Middle School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

“I liked Powerful Choices for my students because it’s good information, practical, and they can apply it immediately to their lives. I liked how each lesson was broken down with a hands-on activity or game. I really like having it in my classroom.”
Tony Campbell – Wilson Middle School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

What Students Are Saying:

“Powerful Choices! Wow. When I first started this unit in Wellness I was like, ‘Alright, you can get through this.’ But after the weeks of going through it I realize what a tremendous change it has done for me! I learned that abstinence is the path you want to take in life. Also drugs and alcohol are very dangerous and shouldn’t be messed with!… I learned the way to succeed in life– by wisdom and ambition and excellence and all those wonderful traits. Powerful Choices is definitely something I will use later in life!” – 7th grade student journal

“What I liked about Powerful Choices is the idea that we do have the power to choose. No one can stand in our way!” – 8th grade student