"The Hardy Personality in Theory, Research, and Practice,"
	Developing Hardy Teens Through Literature - Bonnie Wyner, Willard Intermediate
	Adolescence can be an exciting adventure into adulthood; however, it can also be a period of conflict and stress. As teenagers naturally assert their independence and "push the limits," they frequently clash with their parents and other adults. Teenagers, over-sensitive by nature, are very vulnerable to criticism and are easily discouraged. School is one arena where teenagers can learn to deal constructively with their problems, while they maintain a positive outlook and sense of self-worth. The curriculum unit, designed for eighth grade Language Arts students, applies several coping skills and conflict resolution techniques of the HardiTrainingTM program to the reading of "On the Bridge," a selection by Todd Strasser, and The Pigman, a novel by Paul Zindel. Drs. Khoshaba and Maddi's program is a comprehensive approach to creating resilient individuals who are able to reduce the negative effects of stress and can even thrive in the face of adversity. The literature in the curriculum gives many examples of teenagers' real-life situations that parallel much of the students' own attitudes and behaviors. The characters provide a springboard from which many moral and ethical questions can be raised leading to significant understandings about themselves, the friends they choose, and motives for their behavior. Discussions, related writings, and role-playing activities allow students to freely examine alternative, stress reducing, positive solutions to problems.