Lesson Plan
Facilitator Guide Hidden Hazards 6th
By the end of this 45-minute lesson, students will identify five hidden hazards (alcohol, nicotine/vapes, cannabis, inhalants, unprescribed pills) with one immediate risk each, practice two I-statement refusal responses in role-plays, and commit to three drug-free alternatives.
Middle schoolers face subtle pressures around substances. This lesson builds knowledge of short-term harms, refusal skills, personal boundaries, and healthy alternatives—empowering safe, drug-free choices.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Review & Print Materials
10 minutes
Step 1
1. Pre-Assessment & Norms
5 minutes
Step 2
2. Engage: Myth vs. Fact
10 minutes
Step 3
3. Mini-Lesson: Developing Brain & Immediate Harms
5 minutes
Step 4
4. Model & Practice Refusal Skills
10 minutes
Step 5
5. Plan Healthy Alternatives
7 minutes
Step 6
6. Post-Assessment & Reflection
8 minutes
Slide Deck
Hidden Hazards and the Developing Brain
Your Developing Brain
Why Substances Are Riskier Now
Five Hidden Hazards
Immediate Harms to Watch For
Refusal Skills Framework
Example I-Statements
Next Up: Myth vs. Fact
Quiz
10-Item Pre/Post Likert Survey Knowledge Attitudes Self-Efficacy
Rubric
Worksheet
Activity
Discussion
Journal
