Real Talk
PRESENTATIONS
real talk lessons
The REAL TALK curriculum covers 8 topics over the course of 10 videos. The lessons have been categorized into Foundational and Elective topics.
We highly recommend that students first participate in the Foundational lessons in the order given below as each lesson builds upon the last. After completing the Foundational lessons, feel free to use the additional Elective topics.
Information on how to access the complete video series and supplemental materials can be found here. A trailer of the video series has been included below.
Foundational Topics
I'm valuable
This is the foundational step to building a successful and lasting relationship. In this lesson, students learn that they bring value and worth to any relationship – romantic, work, or school. Students participate in a personal inventory activity and listen to stories about three well-known celebrities who persevered and believed in themselves despite a variety of setbacks. The goal is for students to recognize just how valuable they are and that their circumstances and past mistakes don’t define them!
(17:00 minutes)
Boundaries (pt.1)
Students have learned that they have value and worth, therefore they are worth protecting and keeping safe. We challenge their thinking to show them that setting emotional and physical boundaries in advance of dating is not a negative thing, but actually improves their odds of having a healthy relationship. Good boundaries also give them the freedom to enjoy being themselves.
During the first day of this lesson, students will learn that having a Game Plan for any goal they have, greatly increases their chances of success.
(10:24 minutes)
Boundaries (pt.2)
On this day we implement the Game Plan from part 1. Students will practice setting emotional and physical boundaries, and set up their own personal S.S.A.F.E. Relationship Game Plan.
(13:14 minutes)
date well (pt. 1)
Students learn to use a ‘S.S.A.F.E. Game Plan’ for dating including dating people who are best suited for themselves and staying on track for healthy relationships. There’s a brief discussion on the purpose of dating, with an emphasis on strategizing how to get to know the ‘SSAFE’ parts of their date. (Social, Spiritual, Aptitude, Financial & Emotional.) A fun activity requires the students to ‘practice evaluating’ a relationship and determine if it’s healthy or unhealthy.
(17:29 minutes)
date well (pt. 2)
During part 2 of Date Well, students learn how to Breakup Well. Learning to communicate respectfully and compassionately will help them avoid earning the title of “jerk” or “drama-queen”! Uncomfortable conversations take skill, and we give them the communication tools that will benefit them in their future relationships–as employees, college students, and spouses.
(15:24 minutes)
Elective Topics
preventing sexual assault
This difficult topic is essential to helping teens become aware that sexual assault is rampant and is MUCH MORE than ‘just rape.’ The ultimate goal is for students to KNOW when they are putting themselves at risk and to equip them with preventative strategies that can be used at a moment’s notice. Students also learn who is at highest risk of experiencing sexual assault and who is likely to be the perpetrator. The video includes an interview with a former Pittsburgh Police Officer who specializes in sexual assault and homicide. Detective Johnson offers strategies to help students AVOID this personal trauma. We emphasize that assault is NEVER the victim’s fault and provide resources for those who need help and healing.
(25:12 minutes)
understanding mental health
Recognizing that MENTAL health is as important as PHYSICAL health, Brooke interviews a professional counselor and discusses the following: barriers to counseling, how to break the stigma of asking for help, the signs of suffering in teens, and the most common issues that teens battle. The goal is to show teens that there are many counselors and therapy professionals waiting to help them overcome mental health issue(s) and be healed. A resource page is provided on screen for those who may need to reach out for help.
(23:11 minutes)
Not Your "typical talk" on STI's & STd's
Dr. Dan walks us through the risks and consequences of a decision to be sexually active. The lesson emphasizes that it’s better to AVOID infections and diseases than to simply reduce the risk. Because STD/STI information is so readily available online, this lesson is more about what’s NOT commonly talked about in health classes. For example: Can you have more than 1 STD at a time? Who’s at highest risk? How are STDs spread? Is there a new strain of HIV? Can you have an STD but be asymptomatic? Why are teens responsible for half of all new STD/STI cases every year? What’s “safe sex”?
This is not a complicated scientific lesson but is meant to show students the shocking facts surrounding STDs/STIs and challenge them to consider the risks involved with being sexually active.
(16:39 minutes)
Meet the teen brain & addiction
The goal of this lesson is to help students become more aware of their susceptibility to addiction during their adolescent years. The lesson includes a basic scientific discussion about the teen brain and why some teens have difficulty controlling their emotions, tend to seek pleasure, and may take unnecessary risks. The lesson emphasizes that addiction can happen to anyone. While addiction often involves substances like cigarettes, alcohol, food and drugs, it can also take the form of compulsive behaviors like gambling and viewing pornography. There is a brief quiz at the end and Laura encourages the students to build positive healthy pathways in their brain and to AVOID decisions that can result in a variety of life-time problems. A resource page is provided on screen for those who may need help and healing.
(17:24 minutes)
you've got personality
In order to help all of us establish positive, long lasting relationships- whether it’s at school, work or with family- it’s worth knowing in advance what our strengths and shortcomings are. Author, psychiatrist, and President/Founder of Strong Families, Dr. John Trent, created a FUN 5-minute activity that will help students understand themselves better. The lesson also discusses the importance of understanding and respecting the strengths and shortcomings of others.
(11:10 minutes)