"The Hardy Personality in Theory, Research, and Practice,"
	Surviving the Transition to High School - Regina E. Wagner, Valley High School
	This unit is designed to help incoming freshman learn how to be proactive about their new adventure in high school. By teaching them the Hardiness approach, researched by Drs. Salvatore Maddi and Deborah Khoshaba, the students are introduced to a method of decision-making that will aid them through their years in high school. The Hardiness approach is a comprehensive model used to turn adversity and stress into advantage instead of disaster. Of the five components, this unit explores the component of hardy coping. The students learn to understand stress, especially the stresses of entering a new school. Upon identifying their stressors, the principles of hardy coping are then applied. A variety of teach techniques are used in this unit. The entire unit is set up in a whole-part-whole approach to learning. The first event of the unit is the "Tour de Campus." This tour introduces them to the school and its personnel. The tour is used as a model of how to deal with and overcome stress. Throughout the unit we break down the event and why it caused a relief of stress for them as students. The unit then further breaks this process of thinking down. By the end of the unit, the students are able to identify stress and have the practice and ability to relieve other stressors that come their way. It is hoped that this type of intervention right at the being of their high school experience will make students more comfortable in their new surroundings. If the students are more comfortable and confident, then it is hoped that the chances for them to finish high school will be greater. They will have the skills to handle the stresses and overcome them in a positive way.