Life Skills

Friends are important to children, but what makes a good friend? Three age-appropriate scenarios show the youngest students that a friend is someone who makes you feel good about yourself, won’t talk you into doing something you know is wrong, and doesn’t make it hard for you to have friends other than them. After viewing this program, students will understand what it takes to be a good friend, realize they don't always have to say “yes” to a friend, and know it’s okay to have lots of friends. Includes 14 reproducible student worksheets on CD.

Where did my last paycheck go? How can I save when I barely make it through the month? Why is my paycheck less than I expected? Many people enter the job market expecting their paychecks to bring them freedom and unlimited new possessions. In reality, what they find is an inability to control their finances and shock over the speed at which the paycheck disappears. This informative program shows viewers that the ability to control their finances influences more than just their bank balances. Viewers learn how to make the most of even a part-time or entry-level income as they establish lifelong habits that will lay the foundation for a sound financial future. Whether they dream of a new stereo or a new home, viewers learn how to create a budget, assess their disposable income, set short- and long-term goals, establish a spending and savings plan, differentiate between gross and net take-home pay, choose the right bank account, reconcile their check books, and use credit wisely. Simple organizing techniques save young people from making common and costly mistakes. A Cambridge Educational Production.One 35-minute video.

This comprehensive video addresses all of the issues that need to be considered to find comfortable housing at a reasonable price. The program begins by examining the reasons to choose an apartment and how to determine what percentage of income should be allocated for housing. Beginning with a list of needs and wants, the video shows where to find available apartment listings (including on the Internet), what is covered in lease agreements, and how to document existing problems to keep from losing your security deposit. The program also covers the different options for finding furnishings and how to decide whether to move yourself or contract with a mover. Ideal for teaching independent living skills to teens or adults. A Cambridge Educational Production. (29 minutes)

If a teenager is psychologically resilient, he or she has the ability to bounce back" after something negative happens. This program explains how young adults can develop that resilience, increasing the likelihood that they'll recover from adolescent stresses and crises without developing deep or lasting psychological problems. A case study of a traumatized young woman who turned to drugs as a coping mechanism acts as a springboard for discussion of resilience-related concepts and issues. A self-check quiz-"How Resilient Are You?"-completes the video. Correlates to National CTE Organizational Standards (including the provisions of the Perkins Act). Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. Original title: Building Resilience. A part of the series Life Skills for a Well-Adjusted Adolescence. (22 minutes)"

Because teenagers have sources of income too, it's increasingly important for every young adult to master basic banking skills. That's where Checks and Balances comes in. This informative, practical, and entertaining video covers the fundamentals of checking and bank accounts, such as filling out a check correctly, maintaining a checkbook register, and reconciling a bank statement. In addition, the video presents various banking techniques, including ATM transactions, debit cards, and online banking. Viewers will learn what factors to consider when choosing a bank, as well as how to identify different types of checking accounts. Correlates to the National Standards of Life Skills for Life Work. A Meridian Production. One 26-minute video, blank checks, workbook, and teacher's manual.

Most of us become responsible for clothing care early in life, and have a vested interest in knowing useful laundry tips. This program is divided into three informative segments: 1) covers basic clothing care such as hanging things up and repairing minor problems; 2) includes sorting, and choosing appropriate water temperature and wash cycle; 3) explains different types of clothing stains and multiple procedures for stain removal. Everyone can make their wardrobe last longer and look better by knowing and using proper clothing care. (18 min.) A Meridian Production.

Teenage students spend most of their earned income on their wardrobes, and young adults spend up to ten percent of their full-time income likewise. This live-action video helps develop the skills needed to make smart decisions when purchasing clothing. It covers the importance of planning for purchases and illustrates how to take a clothing inventory. It also explains how personality, climate, and income influence what clothing we buy. A fashion coordinator teaches our young shoppers Jennifer and Greg how to judge quality and workmanship. Is a designer label worth the price? Is fad clothing a wise choice? Follow along as they also learn about fabric identification and reading labels. A terrific video for anyone wanting to be a better clothes shopper. A Cambridge Educational Production. (41 minutes)

This informative three-part video series teaches viewers how to use credit, how to make a budget, and how to accept financial responsibility. Plus, it opens viewers' eyes to the seriousness of establishing credit and keeping their credit record clean, and addresses first-time home-buyers' concerns by taking viewers through the 9-step process of buying a home-from research to closing costs. A Cambridge Educational Production.

When are telemarketers legally allowed to call you? Can you return an item if you bought it from a door-to-door salesman? In a retail store, over the phone, at home, or online you have specific rights as a consumer-it's in your best interest to know exactly what they are! Presented in an engaging news magazine" format, this program will provide students with an understanding of their rights as consumers and what expectations they should have when purchasing goods and services. Many important areas are explored, from how to interpret food labels to disclosure of your medical and financial information. Experts offer advice on how to deal with scams and fraud. A list of consumer advocate agencies and related Web sites is also provided for further reference. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. A Meridian Production. (17 minutes)"

Most young people know how to open the refrigerator-but how many have the confidence to cook up a square meal? In this video, Mike Colameco, producer and host of PBS's Colameco's Food Show, offers empowering, easy-to-follow lessons for students who are intimidated by the kitchen. Mike guides viewers through the creation of two nutritious, tasty meals: pork loin with potatoes and spinach, and good old-fashioned spaghetti and meatballs. Along with step-by-step demonstrations of basic cooking techniques, Mike also breaks down each meal by cost-emphasizing that home cooking is low-stress, easy on the budget, and the best way for students to control what they eat. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. Correlates to all applicable state and national standards. A Meridian Production. (24 minutes)

Single adults or couples face some challenges in learning to prepare smaller, healthy, nutritious meals-especially if working on a limited budget. Eating out is an option, but it can be expensive. On the other hand, who wants to come home every night and heat a can of soup! This video covers menu planning, shopping, meal preparation, and nutrition for smaller households. Special emphasis is placed on the quantity of food purchased as well as tips that will help viewers select and store food easily and efficiently. We'll see a variety of menus and learn how to purchase food items that can be used for several meals. We'll also discuss how to shop when cabinet and freezer space are limited. What a great way to plan and cook healthy nutritious meals in smaller portions while becoming a good consumer! (13 min.) A Meridian Production.

One of today's rites of passage, from teenager to young adult, is the credit card. Armed with a brand-new credit card, many older teens and young adults gain immediate buying power, but not always knowledge of how to use credit responsibly. This program guides viewers through a maze of introductory rates, finance charges, credit reports, credit repair, card safety, and purchase decisions. First-person stories from credit card users and abusers as well as a credit counseling expert help viewers understand how credit cards actually work. A Meridian Production. (30 minutes)

Get smart or get stung! This ABC News program gives new meaning to let the buyer beware" as it exposes things that some advertisers, restaurant proprietors, and dentists would rather people didn't know about-like misleading before-and-after photos, questionable charges on the dinner bill, and risks associated with dental veneers. Ways to frustrate credit card/ATM thieves are also examined, as are approaches to dealing with legal but sneaky tactics sometimes used by police officers at traffic stops, sobriety checkpoints, and even a person's home. (38 minutes)"

This entertaining program dramatizes, with comic effects, what happens to those of us who don't practice good consumerism. Many times, people can be taken in by shady service and sales persons, as well as products and services that promise results that are just too good to be true. Featuring professional actors, this program gives viewers some basic information to avoid being taken advantage of. Watch as a married couple make some basic consumer mistakes, and see how they are able to recognize and learn from them, with a little help from a representative of the Better Business Bureau. The comic approach holds the viewer's attention and ensures that the important messages about good consumerism hit home. (20 min.) A Meridian Production.

Nicks and cuts, minor burns, bruises, abrasions-more accidents occur in the home than anywhere else. To reduce the number and severity of injuries, people need to understand the three P's: prevention, preparation, and practice. In addition to giving plenty of information on how to deal with common household dangers, this video stresses the importance of thinking ahead to eliminate hazards before they can become a problem. Ideal for students living at home or out on their own. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. A Meridian Production. (15 minutes)