Activity Overview
The cycle of unhealthy relationships is an important concept for students to understand when talking about healthy relationships. Each relationship is unique and it may be tough to compare one to another, but when there is abuse or unhealthy aspects, there is usually a pattern. This pattern, or cycle, can start with the honeymoon phase, continue into the tension building phase, move into the explosion phase, and finally enter the honeymoon phase again, continuing the cycle. This cycle does not have to be a romantic relationship; friends and family can go through this cycle and find it hard to get out.
Getting out of an unhealthy relationship is dangerous and tough. Recognizing the cycle of unhealthy relationships is the first step. After teaching the topics, have students create a storyboard that follows the cycle of an unhealthy relationship. Monitor students' creations for any inappropriate content. Students should not be using themselves or other peers a victims or aggressors. If needed, they can use the highly expressive, but less realistic, Stickies rather than the regular Storyboard That characters.
Honeymoon Phase
Everything seems to be going great with no issues or fights during the honeymoon phase. There may be apologies, gifts given, or promises made in order to maintain the facade of a happy relationship. This is a time period the abusers use to manipulate the victim into believing everything is okay - or will be again.
Tension Builds
The tension-building phase is when the aggressor seems to be getting agitated at small things, often yelling, fighting, or controlling parts of the relationship. This phase is where many red flags occur.
Explosion
The explosion phase is where the attack takes place. There can be different examples of outbursts of intimidation, emotional and verbal abuse, even physical abuse. Following the explosion, there is often an apology and manipulation of the honeymoon phase in order to keep the victim buying into the relationship.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the unhealthy relationship cycle. Use different example relationships for each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Title the appropriate cells with each phase and fill in the description with your own definition.
- Illustrate the meaning of the phase in each cell using a combination of school-appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Three cells were used in a cycle formation with a title and description. The title was used to indicate the phase in each cell. The description effectively described the phase. The center title described the overall theme. | Three cells were used in a cycle formation with a title and description. The title was used to indicate the phase in each cell. The description adequately described the phase. The center title descried the overall theme. | The description inaccurately described the phase. The center title is missing. |
| Honeymoon Phase | The cell used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the honeymoon phase. The picture created reinforces the definition of the phase showing a positive or an apologetic theme. | The cell used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the honeymoon phase. The picture created marginally reinforces the definition of the phase showing a positive or an apologetic theme. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the honeymoon phase. |
| Tension Building | The cell used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the tension building phase. The picture created reinforces the definition of the phase showing a conflict. | The cell used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the tension building phase. The picture created marginally reinforces the definition of the phase showing a one sided conflict. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the tension building phase. |
| Explosion | The cell used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the explosion phase. The picture created reinforces the definition of the phase showing a form of abuse. | The cell used adequate school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the explosion phase. The picture created marginally reinforces the definition of the phase showing a form of abuse. | The cell used inappropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey the explosion. |
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Unhealthy Relationships
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