Overcoming Obstacles helps educators teach the life skills that middle and high school students need to lead successful lives. The curriculum helps students achieve academic goals, attain leadership skills, develop personal life skills, determine career goals, learn how to make a difference in their communities, and reach their full potential.
The Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program includes curriculum materials, teacher training, and ongoing support, and is priced at only $120 per set for high school and $150 per set for middle school.
Curriculum Materials
The Overcoming Obstacles curriculum materials include activity-based lessons, reproducible student worksheets, journal writing opportunities, reading assignments, technology connections, and curriculum assessments.
The curriculum is organized into separate teaching modules.
Each module contains a sequence of lessons designed to develop specific concepts and skills, which are then reviewed and reinforced throughout the remainder of the curriculum.
Lesson plans are straightforward and student focused.
Lessons include discussion topics, journal prompts, activities, examples, and scenarios that are simple to follow, yet challenging for students. Material lists and step-by-step instructions for setting up and facilitating activities are included in every lesson.
The curriculum includes the following lesson themes:
- Anger Management
- Being a Positive Influence
- Bullying
- Career Preparation*
- Citizenship
- College Preparation*
- Communication
- Confidence
- Conflict Resolution
- Decision Making
- Diversity
- Financial Management*
- Getting Started
- Goal Setting
- Leadership
- Looking to the Future
- Managing Personal Resources
- On-the-Job Skills
- Personal Health
- Problem Solving
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Self-Esteem
- Service Learning
- Stress Management
- Study Skills
- Time Management
- Understanding Others
*High School only
Lessons feature a variety of activities, such as:
- Acting/Skits
- Art Connections
- Core Content Connections
- Creative Writing
- Discussions
- Drawing
- Games
- Homework
- Individual Work
- Journal Writing
- Language Connections
- Addressing Multiple Learning Styles
- Presentations
- Team Building
- Identifying Resources
- Using Quotations
- Incorporating Technology
Meets State Learning Standards
The lessons and activities in the Overcoming Obstacles curriculum meet the learning standards of most states throughout the country. Here are just a few examples of state standards the curriculum addresses:
- In New York, Overcoming Obstacles can be used to address career development and occupational studies standards.
- In Missouri, Overcoming Obstacles can be used to address health and physical education learning standards.
- In Illinois, Overcoming Obstacles directly addresses social and emotional learning standards.
For a more detailed explanation of how Overcoming Obstacles meets the learning standards in your state, please contact us at mail@overcomingobstacles.org.
Teacher Training
Teacher training covers all aspects of Overcoming Obstacles—the curriculum materials, the methodology, the content, and ideas for accessing community resources. The training also offers school staff an opportunity to work in teams and to tailor the curriculum to meet the specific goals of their school.
Ongoing Support
Ongoing support offers teachers technical assistance via phone, the internet, and classroom visits.
Custom Curriculum
The Overcoming Obstacles curriculum materials can be customized to match the unique culture of a district or school and to meet specific needs and goals. The design process begins with a planning meeting with the Overcoming Obstacles curriculum team. Based on the discussion, the curriculum team selects the standard curriculum modules and lessons that match the school's needs. For more information, contact us at (877) 840-9606.
Take a quick tour of Overcoming Obstacles to learn more. Be sure to give us a call or contact us with any questions that you may have about the curriculum.
