Lesson Plans for Popular Films and Other Relevant Topics
Each film lesson plan listed below provides a summary of the film, 4 to 6 activities relating to it, a set of 10 questions for writing or discussion and 1 to 3 handouts. Other lessons include step-by step directions and student handouts. Film lessons are designated with the word film before the order number. Cost for each lesson plan is $2 or save by ordering 6 for $10.
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See a sample lesson plan.
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First, peruse the plans described below and decide how many you want to order. Then click on the PayPal icon below, select the number of plans, and then email us to tell us which lessons you have chosen, either by number or by name. Email to fran@aywnpublications.com
Lesson Plan Selections
Click below on the categories you're interested in or simply scroll to see all selections.
Reading, Writing and Speaking Skills
Classics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
film01
Chocolat (starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp) is a beautiful film that teaches tolerance and joy of life. It focuses on people in a small French village who learn through association with a single mother and her young daughter to accept people different from themselves and enjoy the pleasures life affords.
film02
Clueless and Rebel Without a Cause, a recent film and a long past 50’s movie are contrasted by students. What did each have to say about teens of that period? What are the similarities and differences? Teaches how the problems of teens remain constant and how modern filmmakers sell products and attitudes to teens.
film03
It’s a Wonderful Life, made in the 1940’s, is a famous Christmas classic starring Jimmy Stewart playing a man who has given up his life goals up to help other people but finds in the end that it was worth it.
film04
Les Miserables is a beautiful film (starring Liam Neesum) based on the famous classic novel of the same name. Not only will students learn valuable lessons in history and literature, but they will also have the opportunity to examine and define “goodness” and its effects.
film05
Lord of the Flies is the classic tale of William Golding about young boys stranded on a tropical island who must build their own society; all the darker sides of humanity arise in the boys as they struggle to live. This is the latest film (1990) of the book written in the 1950’s.
film06
Moll Flanders (starring Robin Wright, Stockard Channing, and Morgan Freeman) is loosely based on Daniel Defoe’s 18th century classic novel by the same name. The message it puts forward however is timeless: sex without love and commitment can be harmful, a message teenagers need to hear.
History and Citizenship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
film07
Cinderella Man is a true story providing a glimpse into the misery workers faced in the Great Depression of the 1930s. Focusing on the boxer James Braddock whose amazing comeback inspired the American people, it is an excellent film. Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger deserved Oscars.
film08
Flash of Genius is based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns, six kids and wife, who invented the intermittent windshield wiper, eventually added to every car in America. Ford Motor Company steals his idea and a long battle ensues. Good depiction of the little man fighting the corporate world and winning. Greg Kinnear as Kearns is superb.
film09
The Visitor shows the problems recent immigrants can face in the United States in today’s cautious world. Richard Jenkins plays a college professor widower who discovers illegal immigrants from Syria living in his NY apartment. With imprisonment and deportation threatening, they develop a strong relationship. Inspires understanding and tolerance.
010
Give a Darn: Brings current issues to the attention of students by showing how they themselves will be and are affected by world events. Encourages action.
011
Voting. How Important Is It? Designed to accompany the film Iron-Jawed Angels, this lesson helps students understand the right to vote and how to exercise it intelligently.
film012
The Dish is an Australian film depicting an emotional moment in American history—the filming of American astronauts’ first steps on the moon. Full of humor, the film allows us to watch ordinary people accomplish a major historical feat.
013
A Lesson in Women’s History: This activity presents a game that highlights personalities and events that furthered women’s rights in this country from women’s right to vote in 1920 to the Violence against Women Act passed in 1994.
film014
Grey Owl (starring Pierce Brosnan) is the true story of the first environmentalist who was actually a white man masquerading as an Indian. The man did live with the Ojibwa Indians of Canada for a while and was made an honorary member. He traveled around the country asking for preservation of wildlife and natural scenery. He is a Canadian hero.
film015
Iron-Jawed Angels is the historic tale of how women won the vote in the U.S. Starring the very talented Hilary Swank, the story shows the dedication, humiliation, and other suffering borne by the women who stood fast to win the rights for all women today. They were called “iron-jawed” because they refused force-feeding when they were imprisoned.
film016
Remember the Titans (starring Denzel Washington) is the true story of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, one of the first to integrate white and black students. Washington plays Coach Herman Boone whose tactics eventually bring his team together. Their acceptance and respect for each other is an inspiration for the bigoted community in which they live.
film017
Seabiscuit is the true story of a racehorse in the 1930’s who became a historic figure by winning race after race though he was smaller than most competitors. He and his amazing trainer and jockey (played by Toby McGuire) gave Americans hope and heart as they lived through the Great Depression. Excellent history lesson with inspiration as well.
film018
Thirteen Days (starring Kevin Costner and Bruce Greenwood) is the story of President Kennedy’s harrowing decision making during the Cuban Crisis of 1962. Similar to those of President Bush in recent times, these decisions are relevant to today’s crises. The film teaches history as well as how to make difficult, life-changing decisions.
Women's Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
013
A Lesson in Women’s History: This activity presents a game that highlights personalities and events that furthered women’s rights in this country from women’s right to vote in 1920 to the Violence against Women Act passed in 1994.
film091
North Country tells the story of the first successful class action sexual harassment suit filed in this country. Starring Oscar nominated Charlize Theron, it expresses the ugly harassment women working in male dominated occupations often faced until sexual harassment laws were passed
film019
Beautiful (starring Minnie Driver) tells the story of an at-risk young girl who does all she can to become Miss America though she encounters nothing but barriers all along the way, including an illegitimate child she must hide. In the end, she comes clean and all is well. The film illustrates that inner beauty is a more lasting investment than outer beauty.
film01
Chocolat (starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp) is a beautiful film that teaches tolerance and joy of life. It focuses on people in a small French village who learn through association with a single mother and her young daughter to accept people different from themselves and enjoy the pleasures life affords.
film020
The Cider House Rules (starring Toby McGuire, Cherlize Theron and Michael Caine) is a deep, thought-provoking film that teaches a good deal about love and pain. It focuses on adoption, abortion, lost loves, and centers on the theme that rules sometimes don’t apply to reality.
film021
Enough (starring Jennifer Lopez) is a realistic but not graphic film about spousal abuse. Lopez, the wife in the film, is a good example of how to respond to abuse although in the end in self-defense she accidentally kills her husband.
film022
Erin Brockovich is the true story of a single mother who single-handedly brought to justice a big corporation whose pollution was killing people. Julia Roberts won a well-deserved Oscar for her role as Erin. Not only does the film score points for the environment but also it is a realistic portrayal of life as a single mother.
film023
Immediate Family (starring Glenn Close and James Woods) is the story of a childless couple and their search for a child to adopt. They locate a teenager who is not ready to take on the responsibility of parenting, but conflicts arise.
film015
Iron-Jawed Angels is the historic tale of how women won the vote in the U.S. Starring the very talented Hilary Swank, the story shows the dedication, humiliation, and other suffering borne by the women who stood fast to win the rights for all women today. They were called “iron-jawed” because they refused force-feeding when they were imprisoned.
film024
Mona Lisa Smiles stars the popular Julia Roberts, Kursten Dunst, and Julia Stiles in a story about the prestigious girls school Wellsley in the 1950’s where girls were molded into perfect wives denying their interest in other things. A balanced view of the career versus marriage dilemma.
film025
Real Women Have Curves is the story of a Mexican American young woman who learns to value herself in all ways. She overcomes cultural barriers to become herself. Provides valuable lessons in responsible sex, acceptance of body, and striving to reach one’s potential.
film026
Riding in Cars with Boys (starring Drew Barrymore) tells the story of an ambitious young girl living in the early 60’s who accidentally finds herself pregnant. Undaunted, she clings to her dream of becoming an author though her child is neglected most of the time. A good way to introduce and discuss the frequent inadequacy of teen parents.
Latino/Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
027
Teaching How to Value Diversity: Through a game centering on outstanding American men and women from all races and cultures, young people learn that this nation was built by the good works and talent of all peoples.
028
How to Recognize and Evaluate Stereotyping: Through thoughtful discussion and writing, students explore stereotypes in their own environment.
film025
Real Women Have Curves is the story of a Mexican American young woman who learns to value herself in all ways. She overcomes cultural barriers to become herself. Provides valuable lessons in responsible sex, acceptance of body, and striving to reach one’s potential.
film029
All the Pretty Horses (starring Matt Damon) is a sad film but it teaches that consequences always follow actions and that justice and fair punishment are values to strive for. It takes place mostly in Mexico where two young men from Texas ride their horses over the border to find work and adventure.
film030
Maria Full of Grace is the story of Maria, a “mule” transporting drugs inside her body from Columbia to New York City. It illustrates the poor decisions teenagers can sometimes make that put their lives in danger. Nevertheless, it teaches good lessons and even pulls off a happy ending.
film031
Price of Glory (starring Jimmy Smitts) is about a Mexican American father who tries to fulfill his dreams of becoming a boxing champion through his son. The son, who wants to live his own life, resists.
film032
Spanglish. This beautiful film (no bad language, no sex scenes) with popular actor Adam Sandler has so many good lessons for teens: value of diversity, parent child relationship, sanctity of marriage, alcoholism, culture clash etc., etc. It will particularly resonate with Spanish speaking students.
African American/Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
027
Teaching How to Value Diversity: Through a game centering on outstanding American men and women from all races and cultures, young people learn that this nation was built by the good works and talent of all peoples.
028
How to Recognize and Evaluate Stereotyping: Through thoughtful discussion and writing, students explore stereotypes in their own environment.
film033
Barbershop with a broad cast of talented actors is a delightful and realistic comedy that shows African American culture at its best. With both serious and comic tones it brings out the problems and shows how people handle them.
film034
A Family Thing (starring Robert Duval and James Earl Jones) is an excellent way to teach the dangers of prejudice. Duval plays a southern white man, deeply prejudiced against blacks, who discovers his own black heritage. He finds his black relatives and attempts reconciliation
film035
Finding Forrester (starring Sean Connery and Rob Brown) shows how a white aging author becomes friends with a black boy living in the “hood.” Through writing and discussion, they connect as human beings and build positive mutual respect.
film036
The Hurricane (starring Denzel Washington) is the story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (Denzel Washington), an American prizefighter who in the mid-60s was well on his way to becoming the middleweight boxing champion of the world when he was wrongly convicted of murdering three people in a New Jersey bar. The victim of racial profiling at its worst, he spent almost 20 years in prison before a group of Canadians was finally able to get him freed.
film037
Jasper, Texas presents a profound lesson on racism in the U.S. It is a film no one will soon forget, and that’s good because we need to remember. It is the true and infamous story of the 1998 murder of James Byrd, a black man dragged to his death behind a pickup truck. It refrains from strong graphics but drives an extraordinarily strong message about the racism that remains in a society that prides itself on equality.
film038
Radio is the touching and true story of James Robert Kennedy (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.), a mentally challenged black man who was adopted by a high school in South Carolina, due to the efforts of Harold Jones (played by Ed Harris) the school’s football coach. Kennedy became a beloved emblem of tolerance and respect for all. In 2004 both of these men were still living.
film016
Remember the Titans (starring Denzel Washington) is the true story of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA, one of the first to integrate white and black students. Washington plays Coach Herman Boone whose tactics eventually bring his team together. Their acceptance and respect for each other is an inspiration for the bigoted community in which they live.
Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
film014
Grey Owl (starring Pierce Brosnan) is the true story of the first environmentalist who was actually a white man masquerading as an Indian. The man did live with the Ojibwa Indians of Canada for a while and was made an honorary member. He traveled around the country asking for preservation of wildlife and natural scenery. He is a Canadian hero.
film022
Erin Brockovich is the true story of a single mother who single-handedly brought to justice a big corporation whose pollution was killing people. Julia Roberts won a well-deserved Oscar for her role as Erin. Not only does the film score points for the environment but also it is a realistic portrayal of life as a single mother.
film039
The Day After Tomorrow – an exciting but tender film that shows us what global warming could do our planet. A father/son relationship is highlighted. Good acting, great special effects, and a strong message.
Life Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
040
Hero or Fool? This lesson has students look at risk taking, its pluses and minuses. When is it appropriate to take a risk?
041
Planning a Profitable Summer: At the end of the school year youth plan for a successful summer using activity cards as idea starters for discussion. Activity cards included.
042
How to Teach Compassion: Using real life events as discussion starters, students are asked to tell how they would feel and react if they were confronted with the situation described.
043
How to Deal with Disappointment: This lesson provides tools for handling the disappointments, large and small, teens encounter.
044
How to Deal with Feelings: Using role-play and discussion this lesson teaches young people how to manage unpleasant feelings such as fear and anger.
045
How to Make Decisions: Through practice making real life group decisions, students learn the steps in decision-making.
film046
The Shipping News (starring Kevin Spacey) tells the story of people who have overcome bad experiences in their lives and started anew, uplifting and inspirational. Newfoundland is the setting.
047
Getting a Clue about Money: This is a lesson teaching kids how to budget, save, and spend, stressing the value of saving
film048
28 Days, starring the popular Sandra Bullock, shows in a humorous yet serious way the trials of getting clean and sober in a treatment center. We see that the problems are life-affecting and life-threatening, but to lessen the despair, the film adds colorful characters who make you laugh. Excellent film for kids in recovery.
film029
All the Pretty Horses (starring Matt Damon) is a sad film but it teaches that consequences always follow actions and that justice and fair punishment are values to strive for. It takes place mostly in Mexico where two young men from Texas ride their horses over the border to find work and adventure.
049
How to Deal with Mean People: This lesson shows students how to recognize and respond to abusive behavior from bullying at school, to sexual harassment in the workplace, to child abuse.
050
“Me: Past, Present, and Future”: Youth create a three-part collage depicting their past, their present and how they see their future. Old magazines, poster paper, glue and scissors. Helps students put their lives in perspective and envision a positive future.
film051
Anywhere But Here (starring Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon) provides material for discussion topics teenagers can relate to—divorce, missing parents, single parenting, constant moving, having to make new friends, and coping with the antics of a nutty parent.
film052
Cast Away (starring Tom Hanks) is a lesson in valuing time and using one’s creativity. After a plane crash, Hanks finds himself stranded on an island for years. Exciting activities requiring higher-level thinking stem from the film’s content.
film053
Changing Lanes (starring Ben Affleck) illustrates how anger can result in foolish behavior that only makes a situation worse. Recommended this lesson be taught with Lesson # 132 which teaches how to stop and think before reacting.
film054
The Emperor’s Club, though it is set in a prestigious private school in the East, shows that dishonesty is present everywhere among students. . . and teachers. Excellent lesson in understanding how dishonesty in life affects everyone involved in subtle and not so subtle ways.
film055
Finder’s Fee is an excellent film to teach kids about dishonesty. It’s about a young man who has a chance to win the lottery and solve all his problems but he must deceive his friends to do so. Great twists and colorful characters.
056
How to Resist Strong Persuasion: Whether the persuasion comes from peers or advertising pros, this lesson shows youth the strategies used to persuade and how to recognize them and resist.
film035
Finding Forrester (starring Sean Connery and Rob Brown) shows how a white aging author becomes friends with a black boy living in the “hood.” Through writing and discussion, they connect as human beings and build positive mutual respect.
film057
Levity (starring Billy Bob Thornton and Carmen Diaz) shows how the crimes of a teenager continue to haunt him well into adulthood. When he is released from prison over 20 years later, he attempts to make things right with the victim’s family. Best taught with Lesson # 130 on the teenage brain.
film058
Liberty Heights is the story of a group of Jewish teenagers growing up in the mid-1950s when prejudice against Jews and black people was common and legal. Funny in places, it presents a lesson on tolerance and shows that people are basically the same in spite of color or religion.
film059
Marvin’s Room (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane Keaton, and Meryl Streep) provides a valuable lesson on dying, but mostly it’s about living and how our relationships with others enhance or damage our lives. Not a morbid film, light and joyful at times.
060
How to Cope in Stressful Situations: This lesson presents a 5-step procedure young people can follow when facing stressful events. Presents strategies teens can use to stop and think before acting.
061
How to Build Community in the Classroom: Ideas for teachers who want to build trust and connection in the classroom. Tested activities that bring students together early in the school year.
062
How to Deal with Mistakes and Failure: A lesson that shows young people that everyone makes mistakes and provides a way to make good use of them. Handout included.
063
How to Set Goals and Meet Them: This lesson provides criteria for setting reasonable long- and short-term goals, as well as ways to stick with them and reap the rewards they offer.
film064
Pay It Forward (starring Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey, and Haley Joel Osment) is a tear jerker describing how one boy and his idea of helping others by “paying it forward” spreads to enrich the lives of many people.
film065
Pieces of April is a very touching film about families, how they can hurt each other yet a bond remains. Show it around Thanksgiving because it focuses on a young woman estranged from her family who invites them all to dinner. Breast cancer, diversity, prejudice, and cruelty all show up in the script with humor to help us handle it all.
066
Let the Students Judge: This exercise lets students become the jury in determining the sentences of real-life juvenile offenders.
067
How to Start the Year Right—“Cleaning Out Your Closet”: This is an activity that helps young people determine which events and experiences in their past lives should be let go and which should be saved. Sometimes one has to learn from an experience and then let it go.
film026
Riding in Cars with Boys (starring Drew Barrymore) tells the story of an ambitious young girl living in the early 60’s who accidentally finds herself pregnant. Undaunted, she clings to her dream of becoming an author though her child is neglected most of the time. A good way to introduce and discuss the frequent inadequacy of teen parents.
film068
Searching for Bobby Fischer, about a young chess champion, teaches young people that winning isn’t everything, and that life is more than competition. In addition to having something to say about teaching strategy, it also demonstrates that one must respect the opponent, considering him or her an equal.
film069
The Spitfire Grill (starring Alison Elliot and Ellen Burstyn) is an excellent film about redemption and love. A young girl is released from prison and moves to a small community in Maine to start her life anew. She has a positive effect on the entire town, especially the elderly woman who hires her to work in her restaurant the Spitfire Grill.
070
How to Teach Youth to STOP and THINK: So often young people act impulsively without giving the consequences of their actions much thought, particularly when anger is the chief emotion involved. This activity gives young people tools to help them handle problems in a more productive manner.
071
Teaching Negotiation Skills: “Talk Smart” provides students with directions and practice in solving problems though thoughtful and fair discussion.
film072
This Boy’s Life (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro) is based on the author Tobias Wolfe’s autobiography. It is about a boy abused by his stepfather. The boy learns how to cope and eventually escapes.
film073
Without Limits is the story of the University of Oregon track star Steve Prefontaine who made it to the Olympics in 1972 when terrorists put a crimp in Olympic activities. Before he could return, he was killed in a senseless car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol. Much to learn from this true story.
Health and Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
074
A Mini-Lesson on Sex: Teens are surprisingly ignorant of many facts about sex and pregnancy much to their detriment. This short lesson is free of embarrassment but gives teens valuable information. A true-false quiz included.
075
How to Care for “Babies”: This is an activity using hardboiled eggs that teaches young people about the responsibility of parenthood in a light hearted way.
076
A Mini-Lesson on the Teenage Brain: Using cutting edge research on the teenage brain, its capabilities and limitations, this lesson asks students to discuss how this new research might change their behavior.
077
How to Meditate: Providing four different ways to meditate, this lesson shows how to find calm in a world of stress. Introduces Siddhartha Gautama, who became the first Buddha, but the lesson is not religion-based. Handout included.
078
Teaching the Real Value of Healthy Eating: Rather than through scare tactics, this lesson focuses on the benefits one receives from eating healthy foods, particularly benefits that teens really want. Activities include cooking, eating, and exercising—focus on fun.
film048
28 Days, starring the popular Sandra Bullock, shows in a humorous yet serious way the trials of getting clean and sober in a treatment center. We see that the problems are life-affecting and life-threatening, but to lessen the despair, the film adds colorful characters who make you laugh. Excellent film for kids in recovery.
film059
Marvin’s Room (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Diane Keaton, and Meryl Streep) provides a valuable lesson on dying, but mostly it’s about living and how our relationships with others enhance or damage our lives. Not a morbid film, light and joyful at times.
film079
Philadelphia released in 1994 is the best way to inspire tolerance for homosexuals and people afflicted with AIDS. It shows gay people as the human beings they are and goes a long way in helping people understand. The excellent acting of Tom Hanks and Densel Washington certainly helps. One of the best films I’ve seen.
film038
Radio is the touching and true story of James Robert Kennedy (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.), a mentally challenged black man who was adopted by a high school in South Carolina, due to the efforts of Harold Jones (played by Ed Harris) the school’s football coach. Kennedy became a beloved emblem of tolerance and respect for all. In 2004 both of these men were still living.
film080
The Station Agent is a moving film about friendship among unlikely people, one a dwarf who has decided to live on the fringes of life away from taunting and cruel jokes. It’s also about trains, despair, and the love and friendship that can develop, even among people very different from each other.
film081
The Whole, Wide World (starring the talented Renee Zellweger and Vincent D’Onofrio from the TV series Law and Order) is the true story of the famous comic book writer Robert L. Howard who suffered from mental illness. It provides a look into the torturous life of one who suffers mental illness and is also intriguing because Howard wrote Conan the Barbarian and other comics students may be familiar with.
Arts and Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
082
How to Analyze Advertising: Students study advertisements around them, especially those cleverly hidden, and determine what is being sold—product or belief.
083
Meaningful Writing Assignments: Students learn more when their writing assignments relate to their real lives and they can see purpose in writing. This lesson plan provides ways to make writing relate to young people’s lives.
084
How to Write a News Story: Journalism holds some fascination for today’s youth. This lesson shows them step-by-step how to write a news story based on current events of interest to teens.
050
“Me: Past, Present, and Future”: Youth create a three-part collage depicting their past, their present and how they see their future. Old magazines, poster paper, glue and scissors. Helps students put their lives in perspective and envision a positive future.
film035
Finding Forrester (starring Sean Connery and Rob Brown) shows how a white aging author becomes friends with a black boy living in the “hood.” Through writing and discussion, they connect as human beings and build positive mutual respect.
film085
Shattered Glass is the true story of Stephen Glass who as a reporter for The New Republic in 1998 fabricated a number of stories to gain fame. The story is all about lying and deception, how and why it happens and the ugly results. Good look at the career of journalism and all it involves.
film046
The Shipping News (starring Kevin Spacey) tells the story of people who have overcome bad experiences in their lives and started anew, uplifting and inspirational. Newfoundland is the setting.
086
How to Write a Classroom Newspaper: Directions for organizing the writing and publishing of a class newspaper.
Reading, Writing and Speaking Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
083
Meaningful Writing Assignments: Students learn more when their writing assignments relate to their real lives and they can see purpose in writing. This lesson plan provides ways to make writing relate to young people’s lives.
087
How to Teach Others: This activity teaches the valuable skills of (1) composing clear directions, (2) preparing and delivering a short oral presentation, and (3) demonstrating how to accomplish a task or produce a product. It also has an amazing way of showcasing each student, one at a time, making each one special if only for a brief time.
084
How to Write a News Story: Journalism holds some fascination for today’s youth. This lesson shows them step-by-step how to write a news story based on current events of interest to teens.
088
Reading is Cool: A collection of ideas to help students become better readers and enjoy reading for pleasure.
089
Teaching the Short Story Their Way: Letting the students make up quizzes and lead discussions makes reading short stories more than a reading assignment. Unique teaching unit.
090
Let’s Debate: Worksheets and direction for staging a classroom debate. Handouts usable for any debatable topic.
071
Teaching Negotiation Skills: “Talk Smart” provides students with directions and practice in solving problems though thoughtful and fair discussion.