Adoption University - Lesson Plans for Schools
Adoption Lesson Plans for SchoolsI recently had the opportunity to review Adoption University®, a curriculum developed for high school students by Deb Brandt of the Nebraska Children's Home Society (NCHS). The program is currently being used by 150 Nebraska teachers, and has been endorsed by the Nebraska Department of Education.The curriculum has been developed to be presented in regular class slots (45-50 minutes each) in five segments (ideally during a one-week period), or in block class periods (80-90 minutes each) in three segments.
Adoption is presented within the parameters of the programs offered by NCHS, that is, with varying degrees of openness, beginning with the selection of adoptive parents by the expectant/placing parent(s).
Strengths
The program has several strengths:
- It uses several different teaching methods involving written materials, videos, personal presentations, and active role-playing, reaching students who learn in different ways.
- It includes evaluation surveys for both students and teachers that can be used to target weaknesses and strengths, and where the program may not be addressing some questions.
- The program does more than present adoption as one option for unplanned pregnancy. It addresses language, loss, the history of adoption, the adoptive family as a unit, as well as the fact that not all adoptions are ideal.
Weaknesses
If the curriculum has any obvious weaknesses, they would be in the area of personal presentations, which don't include adoptees, and - from surveys of students polled, haven't always included one or more of the other stakeholders in an adoption - case worker, birth parent, adoptive parent. All connected to adoption understand how important it is hear personal experience first-hand, and to ask questions, and I would hope that as the program develops, personal interaction for students with at least one representative of each group (including adoptees) would become a mandatory component.
Deb Brandt, who developed the course for NCHS, has just completed two-day middle school curriculum and is working on a program for elementary schools. Before joining NCHS as Education Director, she taught school at the elementary, high school, and college levels for 22 years.
If you're interested in learning more about Adoption University® or acquiring it for your agency to share with schools in your state, Deb Brandt can be reached at nchkedu@kearney.net or (308) 237-2304. 5-DAY PROGRAM (45-50 minute classes)
Class 1
- Introductions
- Adoption I.Q. Quiz or Survey
- History and Background
- Language Update
- Decision-Making Overhead Activity
- Guest Speakers:
Caseworker
Birth Parents
Adoptive Parents - Optional: Video of Families
- Questions and Answers
Class 3
- Discussion:
Family Makeup
Future Ideal Family Profile Activity - Follow-up Questions
Class 4
- Role Play
- Adoptive Family Profile Activity
- Read Actual Profiles
Class 5
- Compare Results of Ideal and Adoptive Family Profiles
- Discussion/Closure
- Evaluations
3-DAY PROGRAM (80-90 minute classes)
Class 1
- Introductions
- Adoption I.Q. Quiz or Survey
- History and Background
- Language
- Guest Speakers:
Caseworker
Birth Parent
Adoptive Parent - Optional Video of Families
Class 2
- Decision-Making Overhead Activity
- Discussion: Family Makeup
- Future Ideal Family Profile Activity
- Role Play
- Adoptive Family Profile Activity
Class 3
- Finish Reading Actual Profiles
- Compare Results of Ideal Family and Adoptive Family Profiles
- Discussion/Closure
- Evaluations
PROGRAM COSTS
- One-day staff training: $69.00 per participant
- One copy of Adoption University including video: $149.00
- Trainer expenses:
One day of training: $500.00
Travel and lodging - Group discount materials-only cost:
10-25 copies: $134.10 each
26-49 copies: $131.12 each
50+ copies: $126.65 each
~ Nancy Ashe
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