WhyTry Introduces Game Plan Journal

WhyTry Inc. has introduced a new component to help implement the WhyTry Program in classroom and group settings. The WhyTry Game Plan Journal is a book of activities and personal reflections for use by each youth going through the WhyTry Program. It includes many new activities for each of the WhyTry visual analogies, including art, music, and observation activities.

The WhyTry Program started as a set of ten pictures teaching social and emotional principles youth need to succeed in school and life. Soon songs were added reinforce the principles. Then physical activities were added, to address all of the major learning styles: visual, auditory, and body-kinesthetic.

Many teachers saw the WhyTry Program as an opportunity for creative new assignments. Teachers would assign students to paint a picture of what their future would be like when they tore off their negative labels. Or they would have students write a poem about climbing out of the crab pot.

The WhyTry Game Plan Journal is a next step that gives educators more tools to reach youth. For each visual analogy, there are several new activities which can be used in the classroom, or as homework assignments. The Journal is something tangible the youth can keep and refer back to as they need to review important principles.

“The students like having something they can hang on to and take with them. I love it, just because it gives me something to structure assignments around,” . . . “It allows the kids to have some time to ponder and process the lessons we cover in class.” Kevin Card counselor at Pleasant Grove High School, in Utah.

The Journal includes a copy of the WhyTry Music CD as well as six different kinds of activities, each designed to give youth an opportunity to express themselves and incorporate new skills they are learning. Below is a brief description of each type of activity.

• Journal Activity – The activities have youth write responses to questions about themselves and their lives. They may be asked to make a list of their strengths, or describe one situation they were in today where they felt pressure.
  
• Art Project – Youth visualize positive aspects of their lives using drawing, design, photography, and collages. Among the projects in the Journal are designing front and back covers for their personal copy of the WhyTry Game Plan Journal. Another ssignment has them create a symbol or picture to remind them to jump back up if they stumble.
  
• Music Activity – Youth listen to the WhyTry music and identify lines that encourage them to make positive decisions in their lives. They are also encouraged to find other songs that reinforce the same message, or to create their own music.
  
• Observation Activity – Youth watch and record the behavior of other people, looking for insight and positive examples of key social and emotional skills. One assignment has them looking for examples of how people support each other, or pull each other down.
• Plugging-in Activity – These activities ask youth to connect with another person. For example, they might interview a parent or other adult with a question about overcoming a challenge, or write a thank you note to someone who helped them.
  
• Game Plan Activity - Youth create strategies (goals) for avoiding problems. The strategies they create can become a foundation for making good decisions.

The WhyTry Game Plan Journal is now available. They cost $10 each or $9.50 if ordered in quantities of 10 or more. To order the Journal click here. If you are interested in learning more about the WhyTry Game Plan Journal and using it in your classroom or group setting then contact us at info@whytry.org or call us toll free at: 866-949-8791