Stop in your Tracks: Alternatives to Violence
Tina Fernandez Dawn McNeil
Human Relations Specialist, MSUM Intern 2001-02
Coordinator of a dispute Resolution Program Kennedy Senior High School
Santa Ana, California Bloomington, Minnesota
Stop in your Tracks: Alternatives to Violence is a program that assists junior and senior high school students (grades 7 Ð 12) in learning how to deal with anger without turning to violence. There are three videos included in the curriculum including Ticked Off, Losing It, and Chilling Out. All of the videos are hosted by a group of teens and incorporate music and graphics similar to MTV in an attempt to obtain and maintain adolescents attention. The teen hosts interview variety of people including neighborhood youth, parents, teachers, victims and mental health professionals regarding their views on violence.
The first video, Ticked Off addresses anger. It is attended to teach students that the feeling of anger is normal and there are ways to deal with anger without resorting to violence. In the video adolescents have a discussion about different ways of how they deal with anger and whether or not the selected ways are healthy. Students in the video also complete an analysis of cost/benefit on fighting.
The second video, Losing It, speaks to violence in our society and the media. Conflict situations and how we respond to them is included as well. A discussion on why adolescents use violence is also addressed. Personal stories are used in the video to show how young people can solve their problems in peaceful ways.
Chilling Out, the final video covers consequences of violence. Homicide is one of the consequences touched on. Various programs that explore alternatives to violence are also focused on.
A lesson plan following each video is provided in this curriculum. A typical lesson plan follows: Objectives are provided for each lesson followed by discussion notes for the facilitator. These notes summarize the video and goals of the lesson. Information regarding sources of conflict, types of conflict, fighting and peer pressure, death and dying, and fighting, avoiding, and negotiating is spelled out and should be included in the discussion with the students. Each lesson plan contains a discussion question or exercise that is to be completed before showing the video. Discussion questions for following the videos are included as well. Exercises and activities including role-plays, brainstorming, and scenarios that are related to each video follow the discussion questions. Worksheets for each lesson are also provided.
Stop in Your Tracks! Alternatives to Violence directly relates to Minnesota Graduation Standard Number 8 (Decision Making). Specifically the videos address recognizing abusive and harassing behaviors in subpart 3A of the standard and analyzing the relationship of physical, social, and mental health of subpart 3A number 1 of the standard.
All of the lessons for Stop in Your Tracks! Alternatives to Violence are reflective of the Personal/ Social domain of the Minnesota Developmental Guidance Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling. The lessons are connected to the Personal/ Social domain by increasing self-understanding regarding anger management and by learning social skills in regards to how to deal with conflict and respecting others.
Fernandez, Tina (1995). Stop in Your Tracks: Alternatives to Violence. Santa Ana: Concept Media, Inc..
Concept Media
P.O. Box 19542
Irvine, CA 92713
800-233-7078