National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Brain's Response to Drugs
Marijuana affects the brain differently than inhalants, which have a different effect than opioids. Elementary and middle school classes read about these drugs as well as nicotine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and steroids before...
Nemours KidsHealth
Alcohol: Grades 6-8
To get the word out about the realities of teens and tweens drinking alcohol, class members engage in two activities. For the first, groups design highway billboards about the dangers of alcohol drinking. Class members then create a...
Curated OER
Teen Pregnancy
Students consider the implications of teen pregnancy. In this personal health lesson plan, students discuss how mothers prepare for pregnancy physically and financially. Students compare their daily routines to those of young mothers and...
Curated OER
Drugs: Prevention Tips
Students use the Internet to examine ways they can prevent using drugs. They discover the dangers of these substances and complete online quizzes.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: The Cycle of Addiction
Drug addiction, including prescription drug addiction, begins with a reason that's different for every user. High schoolers learn more about the reasons people begin abusing drugs with a set of videos and worksheets that discuss four...
Curated OER
Addiction
Students warn others about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. In this personal health lesson, students research the effects of addiction and share their findings with their classmates. Students then create posters or songs that...
Curated OER
Under the Influence
Students examine the effects of teen drinking. In this personal health lesson plan, students research alcohol's effect on the teen brain. Students discuss their findings about the alcohol-brain connection and create brain maps.
Healthy Native Youth
Chapter 6: Making Choices
A lesson looks closely at risky behavior such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Middle schoolers use a question box to ask questions anonymously. They role-play what life would be like if they became pregnant then...
National Institute of Drug Abuse
Nurturing My Mental and Emotional Health
One exercise does not necessarily work for all! A resource from the National Institutes of Health provides tweens and teens with exercises to help them cope with anxiety and stress. Participants note their stress levels before and after...
Curated OER
Acting Out
Sixth graders investigate peer pressure, gangs, drinking, and using drugs. In small groups, they conduct research, develop, edit, and write a three-minute script, and perform the script for the class.
Curated OER
CLOSE TO HOME - Overboard
Students read a comic about a teen drug overdose that leads to death. For this drug awareness lesson, students role play characters in the story that react to the death of their friend due to drug use in an online forum. Students...
Curated OER
The Kids are All-Right
Students explore alcohol abuse. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "The Kids are All Right", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based on the content...
Curated OER
Facts into Action
Learners role play chosen scenario about smart decision making. For this drug awareness lesson, students discuss the danger associated with drug abuse. They practice how to make careful choices when faced with a difficult situation.
Curated OER
The Truth About Hydrocodone
Learners explain the beneficial uses of pain relievers. In this health science instructional activity, students discuss the harmful effects of prescription drug abuse. They complete a worksheet at the end of the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Deadly Desires
A lesson on STD's captures learners with shocking statistics. Small groups create informational brochures on specific STD's, which they will present to the class. The links for research are overall excellent, but should be previewed for...
Curated OER
Real Attractive
Sixth graders create a collage of attractive people. They write about what makes these people attractive. They discuss what makes someone attractive. They research eating disorders and how the media impacts what people deem as attractive.