A Lesson Plan from Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program (Chapter Four)

NOTE:  Life Planning Education (LPE) is currently being revised. The printed/for-sale version includes an older version of this lesson plan. Please make sure you have looked at the PDF of Life Planning Education before purchasing - that is the version that is available to buy. 

Purpose: To identify the adults to go to for help

Materials: For each participant, one copy of the handout, Where You Go; newsprint and markers or board and chalk; pens/pencils

Time: 30-40 minutes

Procedure:

1. Say that everyone has relationships with different kinds of people and that they share different things with each of them. Explain that in this activity, participants will identify adults to talk to about a variety of issues.
2. Ask the adolescents to brainstorm a list of adults they can talk to comfortably. Clarify that you want the type of relationship with these adults, not their real names (for example, “next door neighbor,” not “Mrs. Obaya.”) On the newsprint or the board, list all the relationships the group provides.
3. Distribute the handout and go over instructions:
• There are eight sections in the circle on your handout. Each circle has a topic or problem written in it.
• Think about the topic or problem and the adult you might go to for help with that issue. Write the type of relationship you have with that person in each of the sections.
4. Tell the group they have about 10 minutes to complete their handouts. When everyone is finished, conclude the activity using the discussion points below.
   

Discussion Points:

1. How and why did you choose the people you would talk to?
2. Do these people have something in common?
3. Do you expect to get a lot of help from these people?
4. How do you know it is okay to talk to a particular adult about something personal or sensitive?
5. What can you do if an adult does not listen?
   

Life Planning Education, Advocates for Youth, Updated 2009.