Frequently Asked Questions...
Q: Why are there three levels spread over three grades? Can I combine them all into one grade?
A:Our research demonstrates that students begin to incorporate and apply the fundamentals of resilience from day one of the curriculum. The resilience core concepts are introduced and taught one-by-one and integrated with each other as the curriculum progresses so that by the end of each level, the student will have a complete picture of resilience. Because each level is 8-9 weeks in length, it can be all taught in one year, or spread out over three years. Resilience concepts are at a fairly high and abstract level and students need to fully integrate them into their lives in order to "live resiliently." This is why the three levels are spread out over a year at the least.
Our research on the effectiveness of the curriculum and intervention is based on a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded three-year research study applied and tested with three different grade levels. While each of the three levels can stand alone, each level builds on the knowledge and skills attained in the prvevious level. Best use of this three-part curriculum is consecutively from Level I to Level III.
Q: Who can teach Living a Resilient Life for Kids?
A: Each lesson is tied to Montana Health Standards and American School Counselor Standards so it is specifically designed to be taught in a health class or as part of a counseling Life Skills class. However, the communication, decision making and thinking skills are appropriate for any subject if the teacher is interested in the material. Training would be appropriate for any classroom teacher or school counselor.
Q: Why do I need training?
A: The Living a Resilient Life for Kids is based on a unique research program and is therefore itself unique. There are no available programs that apply solid research-based resilience concepts as does the Living a Resilient Life for Kids curriculum. It is unlike other programs you might have used to reduce bullying, depression, and drug and alcohol use. This program brings about fundamental and long lasting changes in teens to help them build their resilience capacity leading to good judgment, decision making, and a meaningful and balanced life. It is essential that teachers understand the resilience model and concepts upon which this program is based. We believe the most effective use of this curriculum is to help teachers build and strengthen their personal resilience. We also guide and show them how to incorporate the characteristics of resilient people into other high school courses to help students integrate resilience into their lives.
Q: I’ve never heard of a curriculum that offers coaching. Why do you do that?
A: The coaching offer is optional and is no extra cost to the district. The original curriculum was designed to be co-taught with a counselor or behavior specialist, but that option proved to be too expensive for most school districts. However, while working with teachers during the Living a Resilient Life for Kids classes, we saw the usefulness of teacher support. Students are likely to bring up subjects during class discussion that require some counseling background. Having a chance to discuss appropriate responses with other teachers and the Resilience Center staff will prove very worth the teacher’s time. We are always trying to improve the curriculum to meet the needs of a wider audience and welcome teacher suggestions, incorporating them into newer versions if possible.
Q: How much does it cost? Can I get a smaller number of workbooks?
A: See the table of charges under the “Program Cost” link. If you do not have 25 students in your school at each grade level, you can combine your order with another small school and purchase additional teacher manuals. We understand that you do not need a lot of extra workbooks sitting in your classroom. If you would like to customize your order, please contact us. An additional fee for handling and shipping will be charged for any package of workbooks under 25.
Q: Why isn’t this web-based?
A: One of our goals is to make sure this program is web-based. We will begin to incorporate these important changes in 2013.
A: Follow this link www.resiliencescale.com to learn about two decades of research on resilience.
Q: Why do you charge for use of the Resilience Scale?
A: The Resilience Scale is the result of almost 25 years of research with people of all ages, males and females, and many cultures around the world. It has been translated into almost 40 languages. The time and effort to keep the scale faithful to its original meaning takes time to monitor and review everyone’s application of the scale. Due to increasing demand, requirements to regularly update the validity and reliability data of the scale, and the administrative costs associated with the scale, we charge a very small licensing fee that is renewable each year.