RY Model: Two Key Components In Skills Training Positive Peer Group Group

Let’s check out our own learning experiences! How did the coach or teacher help you learn? What was the climate in which the skill was learned?

Leader Behaviors and Responsibilities Group Building ▪ Making Caring Fashionable ▪ Reversing Responsibility ▪ Problems as Opportunities Life Skills Training ▪ Cognitive Emotional Preparation ▪ Acquisition of New Skills ▪ Application of New Skills

Fostering a Positive Peer Group (group building) Making Caring Fashionable 1.Positively reinforce caring/helpful behaviors 2.Reinforce trust and openness in communication 3.Interrupt harmful behavior, create anxiety if indifferent, point out negative consequences 4.Provide direction/redirection for “caring” behaviors by all

Fostering a Positive Peer Group Reversing Responsibility 1.Refer questions to group for their opinion 2.Express confidence in students’ ability to build/maintain a positive peer group 3.Involve group in examining their behavior and progress as a group 4.Place high expectation on members to deal with group problems 5.Direct/redirect group to accept responsibilities for tasks and processes

Fostering a Positive Problems as Opportunities 1.Reinforce acknowledgment of problems as a strength; invite members to share issues 2.Implement format for sharing problems with the group 3.Implement procedures for how the person sharing wants the group to respond 4.Direct/redirect Shared Agenda time to involve all in appropriate procedures

Fostering a Positive Peer Group Making caring fashionable Identifying problems as opportunities Reversing responsibilities The change agents are the…….. -bonds between RY Leader &students - bonds between students The student’s challenge The teacher’s challenge

Building a Positive Peer Group happens every day by…….. Showing care & concern Listening to each other Praising each other Encouraging participation Trusting each other Giving helpful feedback Respecting all those present Celebrating group successes

Fostering a Positive Peer Group (Life Skills Training) Cognitive/Motivational Prep 1.Provide a rationale, answering the question “Why do this?” 2. Motivate, by telling group members what’s in it for them. 3. Provide a “cognitive map” of the “where, when and how”

Fostering a Positive Peer Group Skills Acquisition 1.Explain, using examples and interesting materials 2.Involve group in discussion to identify critical skills features 3.Demonstrate/model the skill correctly 4.Guarantee each member practices the target skill 5.Coach each member, provide feedback to build confidence/competence

Fostering a Positive Peer Group Skills Application 1.Direct rehearsal/practice sessions using real- life situations 2. Ensure members are judged by others as competent in the target skill 3. Contract with members to perform target skills outside of group 4.Check back on members’ experiences using new skills outside of group 5. Guide group problem solving/constructive feedback for next steps and daily use

Life Skills Training Cognitive Motivational Prep The change agents are the…… -improved competencies Skills Application * The teacher’s challenge Skills Acquisition * The student’s challenge

Teaching Life Skills happens every day by… √ Motivating students to learn the dkill √ Having students practice the new skill √ Building confidence in their new skills √ Contracting with students to use the skills outside of group √ Following up with them on how it went using their skill √ Celebrating successes together

Blending Leader Behaviors and Responsibilities Skills Training & Positive Peer Group Begins in the 1 st 10 Days: The “Getting Started” Module…. …and continues in the 4 remaining Modules

The “Getting Started” Module Group Cohesiveness Day 6 Days 1,2,3 Monitoring Moods Drug Use Control Days 4,5 Attendance, School Work Day 7,8 Setting Goals Day 9,10

Self-Esteem Enhancement Means knowing & appreciating ourselves Focus: Focus: * Our Best Self * Support with “hugs” not “slugs” *Getting & giving helpful criticism Skills: Skills: * Positive self-talk * Positive self-images * Changing negative self-talk Application to: Application to: * School Smarts * Drug use control * Managing moods

Decision Making Means taking STEPS to face problems as opportunities for growth Focus: Focus: * How do you decide? * Helpful vs. Hurtful decisions Skills: Skills: * STEPS to Planned Decision Making * Mini-decision and Mini-goals * Time Management Application: Application: * School Smarts * Drug use control * Managing Moods

Personal Control Means coping successfully with stress, anger and depression Skills: Skills: * STEPS to control stress * Releasing stress thru Exercise/Fun Focus: Focus: * Identifying stress triggers * Analyzing reactions * Targeting desired changes Application to: Application to: * School Smarts * Drug Use control * Managing moods

Interpersonal Communication Means the exchanges between us that define our relationships Skills: Skills: * “I” Messages * Active Listening * The Give & Take of Conflict Negotiation Focus: Focus: *Communicating Acceptance of Self and Others * Strength Bombardments Application to: Application to: * School Smarts * Drug use control * Managing moods

Sequencing the 5 Modules into the School Calendar Semester= 90 days, 18 weeks 55 minute periods #wk Content Lessons Boosters Reviews 2 Getting Started 10 4 Self-esteem Decision-making Personal control Interpersonal Communication

Blending Leader Behaviors and Responsibilities Skills Training Positive Peer Group The Daily RY Experience … …the RY Daily Agenda or Anatomy

The Anatomy of a Session Structure and Content % Time 1.Introduction 1.Introduction- Check-In, Monitoring & Check Back 5-10% 2.Shared Agenda- 2.Shared Agenda- How do you want to spend your time? 15% 3.Today’s Activities- 3.Today’s Activities- Today’s Big Ideas, Motivate, 50-60% Teach Skills, Practice & Apply 4.Summary/Preview 4.Summary/Preview-Summary, Coming Attractions 20% & Celebrations Constant blend of peer group support and skills training

Other Key RY Components Monitoring School Bonding Activities

How Are You Doing? Managing Your Attendance? Managing Your Moods? Managing Your School Achievement? Staying Drug Free? Supporting Your Classmates? Messing up About Average Absolutely Great ____________________________________________________

School and Social Bonding Activities Improving relationships With teachers! Encourage involvement in school activities: Sports, music, drama, clubs, etc. Fun Activities: Low/High Ropes Courses, BBQ, bowling, hiking, etc.