Gang Resistance Education and Training - The Curriculum

The Curriculum

Middle School Component: The G.R.E.A.T. middle school curriculum is a skills-based curriculum designed to produce knowledge and attitudinal and behavioral changes through the use of facilitative teaching, positive behavior rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities. The curriculum has integrated National English Language Arts Standards and National Health Education Standards and is based on effective research practices. The G.R.E.A.T. middle school curriculum was designed for middle school entry-level students in 6th or 7th grade. Taught in the classroom by specially trained, uniformed law enforcement officers, G.R.E.A.T.'s violence prevention curriculum is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. The curriculum can be used in conjunction with other prevention programs encouraging positive relationships among the community, parents, schools, and law enforcement. The G.R.E.A.T. middle school curriculum consists of thirteen 30- to 45-minute lessons designed to be taught in sequential order:

1. Welcome to G.R.E.A.T. 2. What's the Real Deal? 3. It's About Us 4. Where Do We Go From Here? 5. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions 6. Do You Hear What I Am Saying? 7.Walk in Someone Else's Shoes 8. Say It Like You Mean It 9. Getting Along Without Going Along 10. Keeping Your Cool 11. Keeping It Together 12. Working It Out 13. G.R.E.A.T. Days Ahead

Elementary School Component: The G.R.E.A.T. elementary curriculum is a skills-based curriculum designed as a precursor to the middle school curriculum. This component establishes the foundation that prepares children for the intensified content and cooperation exercises taught in the middle school curriculum, while developing a positive bond between law enforcement and youth. Reaching children at an earlier stage of development allows for a better transition into the middle school curriculum. The elementary curriculum has integrated National English Language Arts Standards and National Health Education Standards and is based on effective research practices. The G.R.E.A.T. elementary curriculum was designed for fourth and fifth grade students. Children who have aggressive behavior in the elementary school years are more likely to display antisocial and violent behavior as adolescents and young adults. By providing prevention programs to students in elementary and middle school, it is believed that such programs have a better chance of affecting the developmental course of the problem behavior. The G.R.E.A.T. elementary curriculum consists of six 30- to 45-minute lessons designed to be taught in sequence. Each lesson is accompanied by a parent letter that the student takes home explaining the lesson and encouraging parent/student interaction:

1. G.R.E.A.T. Beginnings 2. To Do or Not to Do 3. Loud and Clear 4. Staying Cool When the Heat Is On 5. We're All in This Together 6. G.R.E.A.T. Days Ahead