Relationship Skills
Family Resources on Call Them My Brothers
Lesson Topic
Trust and support of others
Essential Question
What are the qualities of trust?
Call Them My Brothers – Angel
If this lesson was used in the classroom: Students analyzed the characteristics of
developing trusting relationships with others. In class students discussed the various characteristics of trusting relationship and discussed how to develop trusting, positive relationships with peers. In groups students participated in an exercise where trusting others is necessary to complete a task leading to a discussion about building trust with others. The discussion also included developing accountability to make positive choices.
Getting Ready for the Conversation
The video for this module features an adolescent named Angel who participates in an ongoing restorative practice group with other young men in his school. The group teaches each of these young people how to support each other, particularly when difficulties arise
Conversation notes:
Many adolescents grow up in communities where there are not enough adult mentors and traumatic experiences, also known as Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), can lead to unhealthy outcomes for children and adolescents. Angel participates in a program designed specifically to help adolescents learn to mitigate these negative factors before adulthood.
For more information on ACEs and the accompanying science, as well as learning how supportive programs help youth see the Center for Youth Wellness website:
https://centerforyouthwellness.org/the-science/
In this article from Thriving Journal, Dr. Larry Brendtro discusses how youth can learn to support other youth:
https://growingedgetraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Trauma-WiseTeens_vol_5-1.pdf
Constructive Conversation Starters
The first item is for follow-up after viewing the lesson video and participating in class activities.
Tell me (or us) about the airplane game activity. What happened when your group attempted to land the plane? How was trust essential for successfully completing the activity? In the video how does Angel describe the trust he has in others? Why do you think trusting relationship are necessary for people to be healthy?
Who are the close friends you have that you have a great of trust in? Share some examples of how you demonstrate trust in these relationships. Why do you need to trust others to have relationships that are supportive?
How would you go about repairing a relationship where trust has been broken? Develop a process for process for repairing trust. Why would this work?
Lesson Plan
Interactive Reflection > Open/Download Complete PDF Lesson
Family Being Together
Angel says, “I have got to make sure this family stays together”. Angel is clearly invested in making his family life as strong a supportive as possible. Why do you think this is important? With the understanding that there are many models of what a family looks like, what are some actions you can take to strengthen your own family relationships?
Follow Your Dreams
Angel’s mother says, “Follow your dreams, not only for yourself but for your sister too”. What clues can you find to indicate that Angel’s family is committed to each other? Describe what you can learn from this?
The Leadership Program
Angel says, “the greatest thing that happened to me was this leadership program” and we see the leadership program facilitator say “so you’re all guys who are leaders in your home”. Being a leader in the home can mean many things because there are many ways for families to be structured. Describe a role in your family where you demonstrate leadership. Why is this role important to the overall health of your family?
Take Care of Your Brother
Another student in the leadership program says, “if your brother’s down, you pick him up… If he’s having problems at home you speak to him, you ask him what’s going on… whatever you can do to help a person out for the better”. Describe what you think this means. Why is it important for people to have strong, supportive connections with others outside of the family?
Interactive Reflection > Open/Download Reflection Questions
