The Why Try? Program is a strength-based approach to helping youth overcome their challenges and improve outcomes in the areas of truancy, behavior, and academics. It is based on sound empirical principles, including Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Social and Emotional Intelligence, and multisensory learning. The idea is straight-forward: teach social and emotional principles to youth in a way they can understand and remember. This is accomplished using a series of ten visual analogies. Each picture teaches a discrete principle, such as resisting peer-pressure, obeying laws and rules, and that decisions have consequences. The visual components are then reinforced by music and physical activities. All major learning styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic - are utilized.
This simple idea has reduced truancy, improved academics, and changed the climate of schools throughout the United States. Why Try? is currently used in over 350 school districts in 36 states. The program is used by counselors, social workers, teachers, and administrators to positively change the lives of students with a wide variety of backgrounds and challenges. It is an effective tool for drop-out prevention, correcting behavioral problems, and reducing academic failure.
The counselors at OHS were trained in the implementation of this program on October 12 & 13, 2006. We are currently exploring ways we can bring this curriculum to our students in order to improve academic achievement.
If your interested, take a look at the Why Try? website.