Empowered Choices Warm-Up Guide

This warm-up activity is designed to quickly engage students and set a positive tone for the lesson on substance abuse prevention. Follow these steps to kick off the session:

Activity Instructions:

1. Positive Choice Reflection: Ask students to take a moment to think of a time when they made a positive choice. This could be a decision where they helped someone, chose to be kind, or made a choice that benefited their well-being.
2. Pair Share: Have students turn to a neighbor and briefly share their reflection. Encourage them to listen and respond with positive affirmations.
   
   
   
3. Group Discussion: Bring the class back together and invite a few volunteers to share their reflections with the group. Highlight the strength in making good choices and the importance of these moments in everyday life.
   
   
   
   
   
   

By starting with this exercise, students become mindful of the power of their choices, setting the stage for deeper discussions about resilience and making empowered decisions throughout the rest of the lesson.

The objective is to create a supportive and engaging environment, priming students for the subsequent activities that emphasize substance abuse prevention.

Substance Abuse Prevention Game Instructions

This interactive game is designed to reinforce the lesson on substance abuse prevention by engaging students in role-play scenarios that emphasize making empowered choices. The activity is structured to be both fun and educational, providing students with opportunities to act out real-life situations and explore positive decision-making strategies.

Game Overview:

• Objective: To help students recognize risky situations, understand the consequences of substance abuse, and practice positive, empowered responses.
• Group Formation: Divide the class into small groups of 4-5 students.
• Materials Needed: Scenario cards (optional), space for each group to perform their role-play, and a timer.

Instructions:

1. Introduction (2 minutes):

   • Explain the purpose of the game to the students. Emphasize that the goal is to practice responding to challenging situations in a way that promotes healthy choices.
   • Describe that each group will receive or create a brief scenario involving a challenging choice related to substance use or peer pressure.

2. Scenario Creation & Preparation (3 minutes):

   • Each group can either pick a scenario card or come up with one as a group. Examples might include:
     • Being offered a substance at a party
     • A friend pressuring them to experiment with drugs
     • Dealing with rumors or misinformation about substance use
   • Instruct the groups to discuss and decide on a role-play scenario where one or more students act out the situation while others provide supportive commentary.

3. Role-Play & Discussion (5 minutes):

   • Each group performs their scenario in front of the class. Encourage creativity and authenticity in representing the situation.
   • After each performance, host a quick group discussion:
     • What did you notice about the choices made?
     • What alternative, empowered responses could have been used?
     • How can you apply these lessons to your own life?

4. Conclusion and Reflection (Optional):

   • Invite a few students to share any personal takeaways from the game.
   • Reinforce the importance of relying on positive decision-making and knowing that support is available whenever challenges arise.

This game not only cultivates critical thinking and public speaking skills but also solidifies the lesson's message about the power of making healthy, informed choices. Enjoy the process and let the conversations flow naturally!

Discussion Prompts Handout

This handout provides discussion prompts to guide our conversation on substance abuse prevention. Use these open-ended questions as a starting point to think critically about how choices affect our lives and the people around us. Feel free to share your thoughts, listen to others, and reflect on the impact of informed decision-making.

Discussion Guidelines:

• Listen Respectfully: Make sure you listen to your classmates' thoughts without interrupting.
• Be Honest: Share your own experiences and opinions openly, and respect different perspectives.
• Think Critically: Consider why certain choices are empowering and how they can influence a positive future.

Questions to Consider:

1. Personal Reflections:

   • Can you describe a situation where you made a positive choice, even when it was hard?
     
     
     
   • How did that choice impact your day or your relationships with others?
     
     
     

2. Understanding Peer Pressure:

   • What are some ways peer pressure might make us consider risky behaviors?
     
     
     
   • What strategies can we use to resist engaging in harmful activities when faced with peer pressure?
     
     
     

3. Substance Abuse Awareness:

   • Why do you think people might start using substances even if they know there are risks involved?
     
     
     
   • What do you believe are some effects of substance abuse on individuals and communities?
     
     
     

4. Empowered Decision Making:

   • What does making an 'empowered choice' mean to you?
     
     
     
   • How can you support a friend who might be struggling with peer pressure or risky choices related to substances?
     
     
     

5. Future Actions:

   • How can you apply what we discuss today into your everyday decisions?
     
     
     
   • What is one action you plan to take when faced with a challenging situation?
     
     
     

Reflective Activity:

• Take a couple of minutes to write down one key takeaway from today's discussion and one empowering action you will commit to in the future. Once you're done, feel free to share your reflections with the group.

Remember, every choice you make plays a big part in shaping a healthier, happier community. Let’s explore these ideas together and learn how to support each other in making empowered decisions!

Empowered Choices Cool Down

As we wrap up our session today, let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned and experienced. This cool down activity is designed to help you consolidate your thoughts, appreciate the positive choices we've discussed, and set a personal plan for the future.

Cool Down Activity Steps:

1. Reflect: Sit quietly for a minute and think about the lesson, the discussions, and the game. Consider the moments that stood out to you the most and why.
   
   
   
2. Write: Using the space provided below, jot down one key takeaway from today's session and one personal action you will commit to practicing when faced with challenging situations.
   
   
   
3. Share (Optional): If you feel comfortable, share your takeaway and action plan with a partner or the group, so we can all support each other's journey toward making empowered choices.
   
   
   

Personal Reflection Space:

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Remember, every positive choice you make creates a ripple effect. Thank you for participating and contributing to a supportive, empowered community.