Lesson Plan
Personal Risk Radar Lesson
Students will be able to identify personal risks, evaluate their potential impact, and develop strategies for mitigation.
Understanding and managing personal risks is crucial for developing self-awareness and empowering students to make safer, more informed decisions in their daily lives, promoting their overall well-being and success.
Audience
7th Grade Group
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Through guided discussion, reflection, and planning, students will build a personal risk mitigation strategy.
Materials
Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Understanding Your Risk Zone, Group Risk Assessment Share, and My Risk Response Plan
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Personal Risk Radar Lesson, Understanding Your Risk Zone, Group Risk Assessment Share, and My Risk Response Plan.
- Ensure whiteboard or chart paper and markers are available.
- Familiarize yourself with the discussion prompts and journal activity.
Step 1
Introduction: What's Your Risk Radar?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students what comes to mind when they hear the word "risk."
- Introduce the concept of a "risk radar" – our personal ability to spot and understand potential challenges.
- Present the Understanding Your Risk Zone to introduce different types of risks (physical, social, emotional).
- Facilitate a brief discussion on why understanding personal risks is important, using questions like: "Why is it helpful to think about potential risks before they happen?"
Step 2
Identifying Personal Risks
15 minutes
- Guide students in identifying various personal risks they might encounter in their daily lives (e.g., academic challenges, social conflicts, health choices).
- Encourage them to think about situations at school, home, or online.
- Emphasize that risks aren't always negative; sometimes taking a calculated risk can lead to positive outcomes (e.g., trying out for a team, speaking up in class).
- Use the Group Risk Assessment Share to facilitate a safe and open environment for students to share general types of risks, without personal details.
Step 3
Evaluating Impact & Developing Strategies
15 minutes
- Discuss the potential impact of different risks (e.g., what might happen if a social conflict isn't addressed).
- Lead a brainstorm on strategies for mitigating risks – what can students do to reduce the likelihood or impact of a risk?
- Encourage practical, actionable solutions (e.g., talking to a trusted adult, setting boundaries, planning ahead).
- Introduce the My Risk Response Plan for individual reflection and planning.
Step 4
Personal Risk Response Plan
10 minutes
- Students will complete the My Risk Response Plan activity individually.
- Circulate and provide support, prompting students to think deeply about their chosen risks and mitigation strategies.
- Conclude by reinforcing the idea that having a "risk radar" empowers them to navigate challenges more effectively and confidently.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Your Risk Zone!
What does 'risk' mean to you?
Why is it important to understand risks?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of understanding risks. Ask them what 'risk' means to them. Set a positive and open tone for the discussion.
Types of Risks
- Physical Risks: Things that can hurt your body (e.g., crossing the street without looking).
- Social Risks: Challenges in friendships or group situations (e.g., speaking up when something feels wrong).
- Emotional Risks: Situations that might make you feel uncomfortable or upset (e.g., trying something new and being nervous).
- Academic Risks: Challenges related to schoolwork (e.g., not asking for help when you don't understand something).
Explain that risks come in different forms. Go through each type and provide a quick, simple example relevant to 7th graders without being too alarming.
Your Personal Risk Radar
Imagine your brain has a 'Risk Radar.'
It helps you:
- Spot potential challenges
- Understand what might happen
- Think about how to handle them
Introduce the 'Risk Radar' concept. Explain it's like an internal sensor that helps us identify potential risks. Ask students to think about how their 'radar' might work.
Why Does it Matter?
Having a strong Risk Radar helps you:
- Make smarter decisions
- Stay safer in different situations
- Feel more confident and prepared
Explain that knowing about risks isn't about being scared, but about being smart and prepared. Emphasize empowerment.
Let's Get Started!
Now that we know about different risks, let's explore how to use our Risk Radar in real life.
Transition to the next activity. Explain that they will start thinking about real-life situations where their risk radar might activate.
Discussion
Group Risk Assessment Share
Welcome to our group discussion about risks! Remember, this is a safe space to share ideas and learn from each other. We're going to talk about types of risks, not specific personal situations. We want to understand the different kinds of challenges we might face.
Discussion Guidelines:
- Listen Actively: Pay attention when others are speaking.
- Be Respectful: Everyone's ideas are valuable.
- Focus on Types of Risks: We are discussing general situations, not sharing private personal experiences.
- One Voice at a Time: Please raise your hand if you want to speak.
Discussion Prompts:
- What are some common physical risks that students your age might encounter? (Think about school, sports, or just being out and about.)
- Can you think of any social risks that teenagers might face? How might these affect someone?
- What about emotional risks? What kinds of situations might make someone feel uncomfortable, anxious, or sad?
- Are there any academic risks that you or your friends have noticed? What might happen if these aren't addressed?
- How do we know if a risk is big or small? What helps us decide if something is a serious concern or just a minor bump in the road?
- Why is it helpful to talk about these types of risks together as a group?
Journal
My Risk Response Plan
It's great to have a "Risk Radar" to spot challenges. Now, let's create a personal plan for how you can respond to different situations. This journal will help you think through potential risks and come up with smart strategies to handle them.
Part 1: Identifying MY Risks
Think about some personal risks you might encounter. These could be physical, social, emotional, or academic. Choose two different types of risks to focus on for this plan.
Risk 1: What is a potential risk you might face?
Type of Risk (e.g., Social, Physical, Emotional, Academic):
Risk 2: What is another potential risk you might face?
Type of Risk (e.g., Social, Physical, Emotional, Academic):
Part 2: Evaluating the Impact
For each risk you identified, think about what the potential consequences or impacts could be. How might this risk affect you or others?
For Risk 1: What do you think might happen if this risk occurs and you don't have a plan?
For Risk 2: What do you think might happen if this risk occurs and you don't have a plan?
Part 3: Developing MY Mitigation Strategies
Now, let's brainstorm some strategies to reduce the likelihood or impact of these risks. What can you do before or during the situation to protect yourself and make a good choice?
For Risk 1: What are 2-3 things you could do to reduce this risk or handle it if it happens?
For Risk 2: What are 2-3 things you could do to reduce this risk or handle it if it happens?
Part 4: Who Can Help?
It's important to know who you can turn to for support. Who are trusted adults or friends you could talk to about these risks or your response plan?
Trusted Adults/Friends:
Reflection:
How does having a "Risk Response Plan" make you feel? What did you learn about yourself today?
Journal
My Risk Response Plan
It's great to have a