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The Why Try curriculum is a program used to help students be
able to answer the question “why try in life?”.
This is used in our Social Emotional Learning groups and in helping
students who are having difficulties putting effort into home, school, and peer
challenges. We use this curriculum in
the high school setting but I think the activities could be directed at middle
school aged students. It can address
behavioral problems, dropout prevention, classroom management, and career and
college preparation.
WhyTry curriculum uses 10 analogies: Channeling Anger and
Challenges into Positive Motivation, the Reality Ride, Tearing off Labels,
Defense Mechanisms, Climbing Out, Jumping Hurdles, Desire Time and Effort, Lift
the Weight, Getting Plugged In, and Seeing Over the Wall. These analogies use “active learning” which means
the students are actively involved in the learning process. They see and hear the analogies, music and
lyrics are involved, and hands-on experiential learning activities are
used. Visual, verbal, discussion,
experience, teach and share with others, application, and internalizing are all
the different learning styles used for effectiveness and retention.
This program would be used in the Social Work Model area of “provide
evidence based education, behavior, and mental health services” because it is a
research based program implemented in a group setting.
The website offers a free sample program, the products, access to training events, and research on the success of the program.
