Identify Real Life Issues

Students facing pressing life issues can be found in a high percentage of schools throughout the United States. These issues include problems of bullying, social ostracism, the coronavirus, heavy marijuana use, and heavy drinking,  problematic use of social media and gang violence. Real life issue curriculum infusion begins by identifying problems students confront in their daily lives. These issues may be identified in a variety of ways including:
  • Talking with students and observing their interaction and reactions to certain topics.
  • Discussions with school counselors and teachers who are close to students.
  • Contacting leaders of community agencies, organizations, and churches - including organizations that provide services in problem areas like substance abuse.
  • Reviewing the number and distribution of school discipline cases
  • Reviewing results of available community or school based surveys (such as the Illinois Youth Survey) of drug and alcohol use and other school and community problems
Please see the Resources link on this website for links to resources mentioned above and many for sources of city, state and national data sources. 
 Free 5 CPDU online workshop through Northeastern Illinois University’s College of Education
 
Integrate pressing life issues into classes across the curriculum to effectively engage students in learning and support social emotional growth
 
CLICK HERE to access the online workshop
 
No need to come to a training.  Download and complete the online workshop at your own pace