We understand that modern schools face complex challenges—from providing a high-quality education, to engaging students with limited time, attention spans and resources. Within our culture, topics like abortion are not skillfully or respectfully debated, if they are at all; and the result is polarized camps that do not communicate with each other. You can do something about the division in our culture surrounding abortion. If your students are younger (K-5), they can begin to appreciate and value every human life. If your students are in junior high and high school, you can form students that value understanding, compassion, and open dialogue about abortion.
Below are some valuable resources DCRTL offers that can empower your school to engage thoughtfully with this important topic. These resources are available at little or no cost to you, thanks to the generosity of our donors. We are excited to partner with you in advancing a culture of life in your school!
Pro-Life Curricula
Supplemental lesson plans that reinforce the dignity of every human life.
Equipped for Life Academy
In the evolving landscape of a post-Roe America, avoiding the abortion debate is no longer an option. Equipped for Life Academy is comprised of dynamic lesson plans designed by Equal Rights Institute (ERI) to equip high schools in fostering impactful discussions about abortion with today’s youth.
Your classroom is likely composed of students with diverse experiences and viewpoints on abortion. The Equipped for Life Academy creates a supportive space for students to engage with the abortion debate respectfully and thoughtfully, perhaps for the first time.
You don’t need to be an expert in abortion or apologetics to effectively teach this curriculum. You’ll embark on a journey alongside your students, exploring the history, arguments, and practical implications of abortion. Core content is delivered through concise video lectures by ERI’s pro-life apologists, guided classroom discussions led by you, and student research projects.
We would love to bring this program to your school for free or at a reduced cost. Click the button below to fill out the interest form and we will reach out to discuss how this program might fit your school’s needs.
ProLife Doc Curriculum
Dr. William Lile, otherwise known as the ProLife Doc, is a medical doctor who speaks across the nation defending the pre-born as patients with equal rights. The ProLife Doc Curriculum is a comprehensive and interactive study kit that includes Dr. Lile’s teaching on such topics as scriptural evidence for life, abortion pill reversal and in-womb therapies. Use the included interactive study guide and discussion questions to engage your community in new ways of thinking and talking about pre-born patients. To bring this curriculum to your school group or community, complete the interest form below.
Birthday Blast: A Celebration of Life – Catholic VBS
Foundational pro-life principles for kids! In this Catholic vacation bible school (VBS) program*, kids learn that they are valuable because every human life, created in the image and likeness of God, is valuable. This essential pro-life truth is reinforced as kids learn various bible verses, play games, and sing songs.
*Note: If you have a VBS curriculum that you would like us to add to our resources or to review for its pro-life messaging, please contact us.
Whole Life Curriculum
The Whole Life Curriculum consists of age-appropriate lesson plans at each grade level K-8 and can be used to supplement religion classes at school, faith formation* or home. The purpose is to educate children and young people on the sanctity of human life and the beauty that comes from respecting the sacredness of life in our relationships.
In approximately four easy lesson plans, Whole Life can be implemented into your curriculum. The message of Whole Life Curriculum is this: you are uniquely and individually loved and valued by God, and He felt this way about you since the moment of conception. As we continue to see our culture devalue human life at all stages, it is especially important that we prepare our children for the future, in order that they will be able to stand firm in their beliefs in the value of human life. Whole Life has three elements: The sanctity of human life, purity, and social justice.
We will provide you with everything that you need to present this to your class for FREE. If you would like to invite us to present the topics to your school or class, we are happy to arrange that for you. For more information or to view a sample lesson, contact us.
*The Whole Life Curriculum also fulfills Archdiocese of Dubuque benchmarks.
Local Educational Programs
Join our regional efforts to educate, mentor and advocate for life.
Speakers
Our experienced local speakers are available throughout the year to offer presentations on a variety of pro-life topics, with consideration for the scientific, ethical, and philosophical aspects of the issues. We also have speakers who are willing to share their personal testimonies about abortion and other life issues. All presentations are engaging and interactive, allowing for questions and discussion.
Fetal Model Set
Teaching about human development from conception to birth is a great way to instill pro-life values. Our life-size 3-D fetal model set shows human development in the womb from the first month through the later stages of pregnancy and allows observers to see human fetal life in all its detail. Kids love them! Contact us to reserve the fetal model set for display in your church or community space, or in combination with a scheduled speaker.
October Pro-Life Awareness Week
October is Pro-Life Awareness month, so each year DCRTL sponsors a speaker to address tri-state area residents and students aged junior high through college regarding a pro-life topic. Each talk during the weeklong program is open to the public, and most are free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Contact us if you would like our guest speaker to visit your group in the future.
Resources Just For Students
Opportunities for scholarships, leadership, and pro-life mentorship.
Pro-Life Contests for Students
Every year, DCRTL sponsors a Poster Contest for area 5th graders, inviting them to express pro-life values in a visual way. Prizes are awarded within each participating school and for the top all-around poster submissions. We also sponsor a Scholarship Contest for high school seniors, awarding up to $10,000 annually in college scholarships. Contact us for more details and to receive promotional materials for your school.
Ambassadors for Life
High school students (incoming freshmen through graduating seniors) are invited to join our Ambassadors for Life program, which fosters pro-life activism through mentorship, friendship and leadership opportunities. This program is open to all high school students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in private, public or home schools.
Resources for Pregnant Students
If you have a student who is pregnant and wondering what resources are available, you can also check out our Pregnancy Resources page or My Rights as a Pregnant Student page to get started. If there are needs that are not met through those resources, please contact us; we want to help you.