Taking the Message Further: Natural High Journals

For a great supplemental activity, have students create and keep Natural High Journals. To create a Natural High Journal have students bring in a standard size empty notebook and design the front cover with something specifically related to their natural high. One fun suggestion is to clip pictures or words related to their natural high from old magazines the students can find at home. Then make a collage and glue them to the front cover or laminate them if your school has the proper equipment. Make the journal a week or month long homework assignment and try to have students write in them right after they engage in their Natural High. Tell them to write about their emotions and feelings related to what they just experienced and at the end have them discuss why their Natural High is a better alternative to drugs and alcohol.

Natural High Bonus Discussion Guide Question

Matt Thiessen from Natural High 4 said, "Something I'm really proud of in my life is that I've surrounded myself with really cool, quality people and really sunk in to those friendships and those people have all helped me to keep a positive outlook on life especially with staying away from things that I don't need to be involved in."

Q) Who in your life would you consider a positive influence and why? How do they help you become who you want to be? What have you learned from them?

Natural High Teacher Spotlight: David Hedge

David Hedge, Student Assistant Counselor at McLaughlin Middle School in Manchester, New Hampshire, has used Natural High 1, 2, 3, and 4 in assembly and small group settings. We asked David a few questions to share his experience with the films.

What is your natural high?

Working with youth and coaching softball and basketball.

How are you implementing the Natural High DVDs or message at your school?

This year I used Natural High 4 by using different segments along with a slide show of students (put to music) participating in activities during our annual Red Ribbon Week Celebration. This year's presentation was the best yet. The Natural High 4 DVD is also the best yet and allowed me to combine segments with the slide show. I copied specific segments on a DVD and added the slide show to that DVD.

Are you using the video or written discussion guides that accompany the DVDs? If so, how have they worked for you?

I have used both. I use the discussion guide as a reference and let the students ask questions and take the lead. If the students struggle to ask questions I use the guide to generate discussion.

What do you think is the most important key to remember when teaching drug prevention?

Kids do listen but they are kids. Kids don't always think before they act. We as prevention specialists must not take it for granted that just because we said it once it's going to stay with them. If the drug dealers, tobacco companies and alcohol companies took that approach we most likely would not have the issues we have today. We must continuously remind them that they have choices and that the choices they make have good and bad results depending on the choices they make. We must also remind the kids that sometimes the right choices don't always give them the results they want but they must continue to do the right thing.

Any additional thoughts?

The Natural High program is relevant and speaks to the audience not AT them. Personally, Natural High has helped change the way our students look at drugs, alcohol and tobacco for the better. "It's not just another anti-drug message." 

Thank you David!! Do you have a great story to share? How are YOU using the Natural High DVDs or taking the message further? We would love to hear from you and share your ideas with other teachers. Please email us at info@naturalhigh.org if you would like to be featured!

Natural High Education Network