The Fourth R (Relationships)

The Fourth R believes that relationship knowledge and skills can and should be taught in the same way as reading, writing, and arithmetic, and therefore they refer to the classroom-based curriculum as the Fourth R (for Relationships). This curriculum consists of lessons that meet the Ministry and Department of Education learning expectations and outcomes. The program is taught in the classroom, using a thematic approach to reduce risk behaviours. Importantly, many of these adolescent risk behaviours overlap because they occur in the context of relationships. The Fourth R program addresses these adolescent risk by focusing on relationship goals and challenges that influence their decision-making.