“Heads Up” is VOWS’ ten week, early intervention program for 2nd Graders in the Warwick Public Schools that combines age-appropriate lessons on self-awareness, conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity as well as violence and bullying prevention. It was developed in answer to the fast-rising problem of bullying in school, at home and at the playground.  The Heads Up curriculum was developed by Mr. John Mattson, is research-driven and is based on well-established educational principals.  The curriculum is broken down into ten, one hour lessons, presented one lesson each week.  (The day of the week varies depending on the individual elementary school’s schedule.)  These lessons have been designed to impact children while they are still impressionable and not yet exhibiting delinquent behaviors.  Warwick Public Schools’ Administration has approved this program under its “Health and Family Life” curriculum and continues to be very supportive of its presentation within the elementary schools.

There are 10 core activities in the Heads Up Program:

      The Peaceable Being:

Children create a Peaceable Being as a way to begin thinking about the kinds of behavior they want in their “Heads Up” experience.  This is our “contract”.  Words written inside the outline of the being connote acceptable behaviors and conduct; words written outside the being represent unacceptable behavior for the group setting.

      Pick Your Corner:

Children explore the differences and similarities in the group by identifying likes, abilities, or personal characteristics they may share with other members of the group. 

      Understanding Others’ Points of View:

Children use story books to understand others’ points of view.

      Making Peace Puppets:

Children make Peace Puppets to use to act out how to resolve conflicts.  The Peace Puppets must stay in “peaceful” character at all times and may never be used to play an aggressive, antagonistic or bullying role.

      The Anger Thermometer:

Children learn a metaphor to help them identify how angry they are in specific situations.  When they observe, then acknowledge their behavior, they also learn they can choose how to respond.

      Green Poison Darts:

Stories tell how anger can spread from person to person.  They help children recognize how good and bad feelings can be transferred by either hurtful or kind behaviors and/or words.

      Conflict Escalators:

Using role playing, children explore the concept of how conflicts escalate, they learn to break down the conflict into the steps on the “escalator”, then, using their peace puppets, reconstruct the role play to take steps to “de-escalate” the conflict.

      Dealing with Bullies:

Children explore what bullying is based on their own experiences, and they develop strategies they and others can use to deal with bullies.

      The Very Best Part is the Bridge:

Through the use of a story book, children learn creative ways to build bridges back to friends after a misunderstanding.

      Making Posters:

The children each make their own drawings of which Heads Up lesson has been the most helpful to them.

2009-10 HEADS UP SCHEDULE

Orientation/Training for Lessons 1-3:  Friday, January 8, 2010 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Training for Lessons 4-6:  Friday, January 15, 2010 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Lessons 1-3 Presented in Schools, One Lesson per Week:  Weeks of 1/18/10, 1/25/10 and 2/1/10

Lessons 4-6 Presented in Schools, One Lesson per Week:  Weeks of 2/8/10, 2/22/10 and 3/1/10

Training for Lessons 7 – 10:  Monday, March 8, 2010 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Lessons 7 – 10 Presented in Schools, One Lesson per Week:  Weeks of 3/15/10, 3/22/10, 3/29/10 and 4/5/10

Evaluation Session/Journal & Poster Submission:  Friday, April 16, 2010 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

All training sessions will be held in the large community room of the

Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI