Educator resources
Rise Above Colorado offers educators interactive, engaging lessons to educate and equip teens with knowledge and skills to prevent substance misuse. These free and remotely accessible educational resources can be integrated into local curricula and prevention efforts in a way that is contextual and meaningful for every community. The resources are also designed to complement and reinforce Rise Above’s positive community norms campaign efforts, showcasing the hope and positivity among youth in our state.
The lessons are standards- and science-based and foster instructional strategies that are interactive, discussion-oriented, and skill-building. Instructional materials (e.g. facilitator guide, handouts, pre-post surveys) are provided for the educator or peer educator to lead rich and relevant discussions that promote teens’ behavioral health. All the resources listed below are suitable for middle and high school-aged youth. If you have any questions about these materials, email info@riseaboveco.org.
NOT PRESCRIBED
Not Prescribed is a standards-based lesson that can be facilitated in 45-60 minutes, in person or remotely. The lesson provides teens with the science and stories to understand the risks of misusing prescription drugs, and the tools and resources to manage their own health as well as advocate for their peers’ health. It leverages personal testimony from teens and their families through a compelling video and provides educators with a science-based interactive presentation and facilitator’s guide to lead conversation and learning. The 6 Steps to Rise Above graphic organizer translates across substance- and health-issues, to help teens define their goals and practice refusal skills. Not Prescribed can also be used in a remote learning environment, offering adaptations that can be made for youth self-study and group discussion formats...
Launch the Not Prescribed Lesson
Materials include:- Facilitator’s Guide including glossary of key terms
- Remote Adaptations Guide
- 6 Steps to Rise Above graphic organizer
- Sample surveys and assessments
MEDIA SMART YOUTH – NOT PRESCRIBED
Building on the Not Prescribed lesson, Media Smart Youth-Not Prescribed is a 13-lesson unit that can be delivered across 3-4 weeks. It explores the connections between media and drug use, fostering media literacy as an essential 21st Century skill for health, academic, and career success. The unit is adapted from The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active! Program Packet (2005), a promising practice for obesity prevention.
Media Smart Youth – Not Prescribed UnitMeth Prevention Lesson
This standards-based lesson can be facilitated in 45-60 minutes, in person or remotely. It equips teens with the facts, tools, and resources to understand the risks of methamphetamine and to positively influence their peers. This lesson leverages MethProject.org, the definitive source on meth, and provides teachers with engaging, easy-to-use materials including a facilitator’s guide and worksheet. The Meth Prevention Lesson has been adapted to be used in a remote learning environment, a guide to help facilitate this adaptation is below. Educators may also reference the Remote Adaptations Guide that provides instructions and guidance for assigning the lesson as a self-directed resource for youth to access on their own.
Launch the Meth Prevention Lesson
Materials include:- Lesson Overview
- Teacher’s Guide
- What Do You Know worksheet and teacher’s key
- Remote Adaptations Guide
- 6 Steps to Rise Above graphic organizer
- Download the optional 3-day expanded lesson plan
CLOSING THE GAP: ALIGNING PERCEPTION WITH REALITY
Utilizing data from the Rise Above Colorado Youth Survey that shows the vast majority of teens are not using substances, this lesson engages teens with data-driven discussions about media, perception, norms, and peer pressure to align our perceptions with reality and promote positive community norms. This lesson comes with a customizable presentation to include local data and a facilitator’s guide to help lead conversation and learning, and can be facilitated in 60 minutes, in person or remotely.
Closing the Gap (ppt)
Closing the Gap (pdf)
Closing the Gap Facilitator's Guide (pdf)
HOW TO BE A GOOD FRIEND
This newly revamped resource helps teens reflect on and practice what it means to be a good friend. It includes tips on effectively listening, having a conversation, and getting help, in addition to being a good friend online. The resource includes a handout as well as an activity guide. It can be used as a stand-alone lesson or supplement the Not Prescribed or Meth Prevention Lesson.
How to Be a Good Friend - Hand Out
How to Be a Good Friend - Activity Guide
IRISEABOVECO.ORG
This “by teens, for teens” website provides resources and inspires connection for an inspirational online community that supports teens in living a healthy life with purpose. All content was conceptualized, written, and edited by Rise Above’s Teen Action Council with support from Rise Above Colorado staff and Scientific Advisory Council members. The site focuses on How to Rise Above (a toolbox of research-based and youth-informed tips to cultivate strength and handle challenges), the Straight Dope (the real science and facts about various substances), and Together We Rise (teen-submitted stories and expressions of authenticity and hope). Educators can direct teens to this space for independent study and creative expression projects.
