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CURRICULUM RESOURCES

GRADE 9/10 PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION

Our contention is that relationship knowledge and skills can and should be taught in the same way as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and therefore we refer to the classroom-based curriculum as the Fourth R (for Relationships) core program. The Fourth R Core Program is comprised of three units of study in Grade 9/ 10: Personal Safety and Injury Prevention; Healthy Growth and Sexuality; Substance Use and Abuse.

Each unit contains informational materials that clarifies values and offers extensive components for decision-making and skill development. There are teacher, parent, and school-wide components to the program as well. The core program is integrated with the structure of existing curriculum guidelines. It meets provincially mandated education requirements in Ontario, and is designed to be part of the regular curriculum rather than used as an occasional resource.

A Catholic Perspective of this program is available, which is consistent with Catholic beliefs. A French translation of this program is also available.

Opportunities to Develop Skills

In addition to information, youth need motivation and skills to develop healthy relationship skills. Adolescents require opportunities to learn new skills (e.g., assertiveness, communication and problem-solving), and practice applying them in different situations. The lessons provide many practice and role-play opportunities.

School-Wide Components

The Youth Safe Schools Committee (YSSC) is a key component of our Fourth R program. It helps ensure that students receive a consistent message about preventing violence and promoting healthy relationships both in the classroom and in the school and community. This group of students are peer leaders and provide support to peers and staff. Their efforts focus on creating media displays, providing information, connecting to parents and community services, and working with teachers to deliver the lessons.

Click here for information about our Youth Safe Schools Committee initiatives and manual.

Topics Include:

Outlines and meets Ontario and selected other provincial Ministry of Education Learning Expectations, includes clear and concise lesson objectives, provides extensive teaching and learning strategies for each lesson, and is accompanied by necessary materials for implementing activities.
Takes a harm reduction/health promotion approach to teaching teens about risk behaviours and safe choices.
Provides teens with opportunities to learn general communications skills and practice specific strategies, using skills practice and role play, to build healthier relationships and reduce risk.ddressing the influence of media
Provides whole-class, small group, and dyadic discussion opportunities to process the issues with peers and the teacher, as well as opportunities to examine individual values, beliefs, boundaries and limits.

Click on the links below to see sample lesson plans (English and French).

Click here for a pedagogical review by Tools for Change, an educator’s website that provides a comprehensive listing of resources that promote healthy, equal relationships, reviewed and critiqued using a strengths-based model.

Video Resources

There are several video resources
available to support the implementation
of the Fourth R. Some of these are
commercial and we developed some to specifically address both the goals of the curriculum and teacher support. Click here for video descriptions.

TESTIMONIALS

“The Fourth R resource document is amazing! My students have responded positively to the lessons and the role play activities. They certainly have learned some new healthy relationships skills.”

Jackie Garvey, Teacher
Durham Board of Education

“The Fourth R Program is an innovative and effective way for students to learn skills and strategies which are critical to the development of healthy relationships and the prevention of high-risk behaviours. Though the Secondary Principals’ Association, I encourage all high schools in our Board to implement the Fourth R Program.”

Karen Dalton, Superintendent of Education
Thames Valley District School Board

“The Fourth R is a comprehensive program, using the theme of healthy youth relationships, to deliver important life lessons in areas of safety and injury prevention, healthy growth and sexuality, and substance use and abuse. It’s emphasis on role play, allowing students to practice decision making skills in life-like situations is a real strength. I would highly recommend this resource to any health & physical educator teaching in a secondary school in Ontario.”

Anthony Petitti, Program Coordinator
Toronto Catholic District School Board

“We’re not saying it is happening right now in our lives, but we’re going to know what to do when it happens and we definitely take that seriously because life is serious.”

Matt Twynstra, Student
North Middlesex District High School

Educator Training

The Fourth R offers a range of training opportunities, both at our site in London, Ontario and in your community. We recommend our 1-day training for teachers and community partners in school boards implementing the Fourth R. Our training teams consist of a combination of child development experts and educators with extensive experience. We provide an interactive and energetic training experience.

Click here for more information. Contact us office for upcoming training dates and/or prices for training in your community.

Fourth R Teacher Training - Saskatoon

PRICING FOR CORE PROGRAM FOR GRADE 9 AND 10

This program is available for purchase in the options listed below. All curriculum binders contain teacher friendly lessons, including lesson objectives, learning expectations, teaching and learning strategies, handout and overhead masters, and marking rubrics.

Comprehensive Kit (binders, 5 laminated resources, 1CD Rom, 6 DVD resources)........$695.00
Curriculum Kit (binders, 5 laminated resources, 1CD Rom)..................................................$295.00
Teacher Binders (3 binders, 3 units)............................................................................................$175.00
Additional Binders (3 binders, 3 units).........................................................................................$125.00*

*Additional binders can be purchased for a reduced rate with the purchase of a comprehensive kit

Click here for ordering information or to place your order online.