Brian Marris – författare

Tough Issues: Resources for staff and student development by Tina Rae and Brian Marris This exciting and challenging resource focuses upon the issues, problems and concerns of teenagers in today''s increasingly diverse and complex society.  Social, emotional and behavioural issues relevant to these young people are presented in a three part programme which was originally developed and trialled within the context of a Pupil Referral Unit and a Mainstream High School. Tough Issues aims to address some of the ''real'' concerns and agendas of teenagers today.  Whilst it fulfils many of the objectives of the KS3 and KS4 PSHE curriculum, it also promotes the development of emotional literacy, equal opportunities and social justice.  A central objective is to encourage students to develop their own voice, to take ownership of their own behaviours, values and responses and to become reflective young adults able to effectively identify and challenge social injustice.  The programme is presented in three parts, each containing 8 scenarios with accompanying teaching resources and activities. The issues presented are often extremely challenging and hard hitting and include the following:  * Underage age pregnancy * Graffiti * ASBOs * Date rape * Homophobia * Anorexia * Racism * Death * Relationship breakdown * Peer pressure * Arson * Alcohol abuse * Obesity * Bullying * Drug abusive  The structure of the sessions is consistent throughout to allow for ease of delivery and includes evaluation sheets, image cards, question and answer sessions, acting out of the scenario and take home activities to reinforce and build upon the learning undertaken.  A CD-ROM accompanies the programme and this includes all the activites, image cards, take home activities and photographic images.  This is a unique resource and of real relevance to today''s young people.  It certainly challenges our young people to reflect upon their own emotional, behavioural and social needs and the ways in which they can and should develop self-help strategies and appropriate problem solving skills to cope effectively with the issues and challenges of today''s world. The content is hard-hitting but if we fail to address these issues, due to our own ''adult'' embarrassments and fears then we also fail the young people we are seeking to support, challenge and develop.  Tough Issues - Focusing on the real issues, problems and concerns of today''s teenagers is suitable for young people aged 13 - 18 years.

Tough Issues: Resources for staff and student development by Tina Rae and Brian Marris This exciting and challenging resource focuses upon the issues, problems and concerns of teenagers in today''s increasingly diverse and complex society.  Social, emotional and behavioural issues relevant to these young people are presented in a three part programme which was originally developed and trialled within the context of a Pupil Referral Unit and a Mainstream High School. Tough Issues aims to address some of the ''real'' concerns and agendas of teenagers today.  Whilst it fulfils many of the objectives of the KS3 and KS4 PSHE curriculum, it also promotes the development of emotional literacy, equal opportunities and social justice.  A central objective is to encourage students to develop their own voice, to take ownership of their own behaviours, values and responses and to become reflective young adults able to effectively identify and challenge social injustice.  The programme is presented in three parts, each containing 8 scenarios with accompanying teaching resources and activities. The issues presented are often extremely challenging and hard hitting and include the following:  * Underage age pregnancy * Graffiti * ASBOs * Date rape * Homophobia * Anorexia * Racism * Death * Relationship breakdown * Peer pressure * Arson * Alcohol abuse * Obesity * Bullying * Drug abusive  The structure of the sessions is consistent throughout to allow for ease of delivery and includes evaluation sheets, image cards, question and answer sessions, acting out of the scenario and take home activities to reinforce and build upon the learning undertaken.  A CD-ROM accompanies the programme and this includes all the activites, image cards, take home activities and photographic images.  This is a unique resource and of real relevance to today''s young people.  It certainly challenges our young people to reflect upon their own emotional, behavioural and social needs and the ways in which they can and should develop self-help strategies and appropriate problem solving skills to cope effectively with the issues and challenges of today''s world. The content is hard-hitting but if we fail to address these issues, due to our own ''adult'' embarrassments and fears then we also fail the young people we are seeking to support, challenge and develop.  Tough Issues - Focusing on the real issues, problems and concerns of today''s teenagers is suitable for young people aged 13 - 18 years.

`This is an excellent resource for teachers and other education professionals who are developing their practice in dealing with specific issues in schools. It is concise, well designed and, in the introductory section, linked to current theory. It will prove an invaluable resource for teachers and others who want to develop the social and emotional skills of their pupils' - Special

`There is a wealth of supporting resources in the form of suggested warm up activities and the specifics are the problem solving format as applied to different situations. The accompanying CD contains A4 copies of all worksheets, which are accessible, eye-catching and should appeal to the target age group (7-11)' - Nurturing Potential

This 14-session programme was initially developed for junior age children who had been permanently excluded. It has been adapted to assist young people who are disaffected and difficult, and could be at risk of exclusion.

The format is built around Circle Time activities and solution focused thinking. The theme of each session is a problem postcard from a young person highlighting a problem that will have a relevance to the participants. The participants then try to act as agony aunts to solve the problem, focussing their thinking on how to make things better, proving to them that they do possess the knowledge and the skills and can choose these behaviours.

The resource includes comprehensive facilitator instructions, warm ups, activities, Circle Time questions and worksheets.

The programme can be delivered to groups or whole classes and will:

• improve self-esteem

• develop your Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills (SEBS) programme.

Based on the work of the Hillingdon Tuition Centre, this is a practical, innovative and useful resource for nine to 12 year olds whose behaviour is causing concern.

Using the theme of a young boy writing letters from a Pupil Referral Unit, each session includes:

owarm up activities

oreading the letter

ogroup discussion

oactivities

oa plenary session.

By creating this fictional character, Daniel, typical difficulties can be addressed safely by the participants. The book follows a similar format to the authors' popular Escape from Exclusion (shortlisted for the TES/NASEN Book for Teaching and Learning Award).

SHORT LISTED FOR TES/NASEN TEACHING AND LEARNING BOOK AWARD 2004

`Brian Marris and Tina Rae must be congratulated on producing a very accessible and well thought through programme of work' - Debate

`A useful programme for any secondary school looking for a framework to support anger management and problem solving with groups of at risk pupils' - Special Needs Information Press

An emotionally literate approach to supporting excluded and disaffected students at Key Stage 2, 3 and 4.

This 15 session programme was initially devised to support excluded pupils at the Hillingdon Tuition Centre. It has been adapted to assist students who are disaffected and at risk of exclusion.

The ESCAPE programme covers the following Key skills of Emotional Literacy:

} awareness of feelings

} self-assurance

} authenticity

} flexibility

} personal insights

} self-regulation

} accountability

} self-motivation.

Each session provides comprehensive teacher notes, activities and worksheets and concludes with a co-operative group game. Use is made of Brief Therapy interviews and a suggested weekly individual tutorial session where progress can be monitored and targets set for the next meeting.

A resource that will help young people function in a reflective way, helping them to:

} cope more effectively with their feelings

} learn and practise better ways to behave.