Life in the Fast Lane--Teacher's Guide


	Produced by Idaho Public Television for the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
		LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Created to educate teens about child support and public assistance, Life in the Fast Lane explores the consequences of becoming a teen parent. Used together, the video, Web site and classroom activities are designed to help deter teen pregnancy and encourage teens to stay in school. LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES Messages from the Media What messages are being sent to young people through advertising? What do ads tell us about being a man or woman? How do they affect our self image and relationships? Chance of Life Game An activity to help students understand a budget and the hidden costs of monthly expenses. Create a Baby Budget How much does it cost to have a baby? Teens will explore costs associated with having a baby and costs of a baby in the first year. Life in the Fast Lane Use the video and transcript as the basis for a play for students to educate the rest of the student body. Sex on TV: Teens and Parents Talk This lesson plan is to encourage teens to critically examine sexual images and messages portrayed on television. Also used as a family discussion starter. Defining Abstinence with Teens Abstinence can mean different things to different people. Some teens may understand abstinence to mean avoiding any type of sexual contact. Some teens consider some forms of sex and foreplay as being abstinent. This lesson plan provides the class with a common definition for abstinence. Helping a Friend Who Has Been Sexually Abused This lesson plan presents students with a dilemma as a discussion starter with clear guidelines about discussing this issue with friends. Online Teen Scavenger Hunt Students will take an online scavenger hunt to identify steps to resist being pressured into having sex, and find information on STDs and birth control. Defining Delay Tactics This lesson plan includes demonstration of delay tactics and provides students with a model and gives them practice in using delaying skills in role-play situations. OTHER ACTIVITIES AND SUGGESTIONS Welfare or Work? Have students calculate costs of working for minimum wage versus receiving cash assistance from the State. Impact of Teen Pregnancy Have students research the impact of teen pregnancy on mother and child. Students should include correlations of being a teen parent and health status of mother and child, income and education levels of mother and child, and the impact on society. Contraception Comparison Have students compare contraception methods and determine the reliability, costs, and effectiveness of each method. What method insures 100 percent reliability and effectiveness? (Abstinence) Guest Speakers Bring a teen parent to talk to the class. Prepare questions for guest as a group before the guest arrives. Discuss with students their thoughts about the teen's situation. Media Campaign Have students research prevention strategies and information about teen pregnancy and create media spots for radio and TV to help spread the word. Posters/Displays Have students create posters/displays for the community on preventing teen pregnancy in cooperation with local health district. May is National Prevent Teen Pregnancy month, and this would be a good activity and reminder for teens before summer starts.