“This series combines captivating graphics, impactful mnemonic devices, and the proven effectiveness of Assertion Theory. Kids teaching kids is a powerful concept that James Stanfield employes to great effect in the BeCool videos. I am pleased to be able to endorse them.” Michael T. Brown, PhD, University California Academic Senate,
Teach your students how to cope with the interpersonal conflicts of the Middle School years with research-based techniques.
Like it or not, your students are going to inevitably encounter peers and authority figures who are manipulative, critical, angry, or unkind. How they respond to these difficult people will affect their relationships and their self-esteem. With BeCool: Middle School, you’ll teach your students how to avoid being a Victim (COLD) or a Hothead (HOT) in responding to these difficult people and to act assertively (COOL) instead. BeCool Conflict Management teaches your students how to maintain dignity and self-control in the face of conflict.
The middle school years can be some of the toughest years, and learning healthy conflict management skills can make those years much easier! Sensitivity to criticism and reproach is sky high. Self-Esteem is always on the line. No age level needs to learn the techniques of Being Cool more than middle school students. This program was especially designed to help you teach your students how to handle the emotional storms of Middle School interpersonal relationships.
The BeCool Conflict Management program addresses four classes of difficult behaviors that can be expressed by others: Criticism, Teasing, Bullying, Anger/others and Anger/Self. In each of the video scenarios a character is challenged by a difficult person who, in some way, is trying to intimidate or manipulate him/her. After a moment of hesitation, the character models three different ways to respond; blowing up or “HOT,” giving up or “COLD” and being in control or “COOL.” The negative consequences of the “giving up response” and the “blowing up response” are then contrasted against the positive outcomes of the “being in control response.”
BeCool is much more than a violence prevention program. It teaches self control in managing conflicts in everyday situations such as sharing, keeping promises, peer pressure and handling frustration. With over 20 specific assertive techniques to cope with conflict, the BeCool program helps students manage some of the most common and difficult interpersonal problems faced by adolescents. Being the brunt of teasing, bullying, anger, and criticism can produce tremendous stress, serious behavior problems, and destruction of self-esteem. Using the self-defense coping strategies presented in this program, your students will learn how to minimize the destructive effects of these behaviors, as well as promote positive interpersonal interactions. When confronted by difficult people or difficult situations, they’ll know that the best defense is to “BeCool”
The powerful tool of peer VideoModeling has proven enormously effective in teaching conflict management to all levels of students, from the behaviorally challenged to those who simply face everyday tensions at home, in the classroom and on the playground. The BeCool paradigm is research based and truly works. Conflict management is a skill your students must understand!
Middle School is composed of (5) Modules: