Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan
Students will understand the dangers of substance use and learn strategies to resist peer pressure through interactive and engaging activities.
This lesson teaches life skills and decision-making techniques that empower students to choose a substance-free lifestyle and handle peer pressure confidently.
Audience
Middle School Students
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Interactive, discussion-based activities and games.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan to understand the overall flow.
- Familiarize yourself with the game instructions for Game: Choice Quest and ensure all technology is setup.
- Print or prepare the Activity Sheet: Substance Impact for the in-class activity.
- Plan discussion questions and cues to manage class participation.
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion on what choices mean in daily life.
- Ask students to share one healthy choice they made recently.
Step 2
Game: Choice Quest
10 minutes
- Introduce the Game: Choice Quest where students navigate scenarios related to peer pressure.
- Allow students to work in small groups to discuss and decide on the best course of action.
Step 3
Activity: Substance Impact
10 minutes
- Hand out the Activity Sheet: Substance Impact and have students complete it individually or in pairs.
- Encourage students to reflect on how different substances might affect decision making.
Step 4
Discussion
10 minutes
- Lead a guided discussion on the outcomes of the game and activity.
- Ask prompting questions like 'What influenced your decisions?' and 'How might these choices impact your future?'
Step 5
Cool Down
5 minutes
- Summarize key points learned during the session.
- Encourage students to commit to one substance-free decision for the coming week.
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Game
Game: Choice Quest
In this interactive game, students will face different scenarios that mimic real-life situations involving peer pressure and substance use. The game is designed to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and healthy decision-making skills.
How to Play
- Divide Into Groups:
- Break the class into small groups of 4-5 students.
- Break the class into small groups of 4-5 students.
- Scenario Cards:
- Each group receives a set of scenario cards detailing situations where they might encounter peer pressure related to substance use. These scenarios are realistic and age-appropriate.
- Each group receives a set of scenario cards detailing situations where they might encounter peer pressure related to substance use. These scenarios are realistic and age-appropriate.
- Group Discussion:
- Within their groups, students discuss each scenario and come up with a decision on how to handle the situation. Encourage them to consider the immediate and long-term implications of their choices.
- Within their groups, students discuss each scenario and come up with a decision on how to handle the situation. Encourage them to consider the immediate and long-term implications of their choices.
- Share and Reflect:
- After discussing, each group shares their decisions with the class. The teacher facilitates a discussion by asking prompting questions such as "What made your group decide on this action?" and "What might be the consequences if the decision were different?"
- After discussing, each group shares their decisions with the class. The teacher facilitates a discussion by asking prompting questions such as "What made your group decide on this action?" and "What might be the consequences if the decision were different?"
- Debrief:
- Conclude the game with a class debrief that ties the scenarios to the overall lesson on making substance-free decisions. Highlight effective strategies and reinforce the importance of teamwork in decision-making.
- Conclude the game with a class debrief that ties the scenarios to the overall lesson on making substance-free decisions. Highlight effective strategies and reinforce the importance of teamwork in decision-making.
Game Objectives
- Critical Thinking: Promote careful consideration of options before deciding, particularly in challenging peer pressure situations.
- Collaboration: Encourage students to work together to discuss and debate choices, leading to a shared understanding of healthy decision-making.
- Empowerment: Empower students by reinforcing their ability to make positive, substance-free choices even in the face of peer pressure.
Teacher Tips
- Prepare scenario cards ahead of time with clear, realistic situations.
- Monitor group discussions to ensure all students are engaged and have a voice in the decision-making process.
- Use follow-up questions to deepen the analysis of each scenario and connect the discussion to real-life experiences.
- Ensure that the discussion remains positive, supportive, and inclusive.
Enjoy playing Choice Quest and empower your students to navigate peer pressure with confidence and integrity!
Activity
Activity: Substance Impact
In this activity, students will explore the various effects substances can have on both their physical and mental health, as well as on their decision-making abilities. The activity is designed to encourage reflection, self-awareness, and thoughtful discussion about making healthy choices.
Instructions for Students
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Personal Reflection:
- Think about a time when you had to make a choice about a healthy or unhealthy decision. Write a brief paragraph describing your decision and what influenced you.
- Think about a time when you had to make a choice about a healthy or unhealthy decision. Write a brief paragraph describing your decision and what influenced you.
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Substance Scenarios:
- You will be given a few scenarios that describe situations where someone might be offered substances (like alcohol, drugs, etc.). For each scenario, answer the following questions:
- What substance is being offered and why might someone feel tempted?
- How could this substance affect someone's health and decision-making in the short term and long term?
- What would be a safe, healthy way to respond?
- You will be given a few scenarios that describe situations where someone might be offered substances (like alcohol, drugs, etc.). For each scenario, answer the following questions:
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Group Share (Optional):
- If comfortable, share one of your reflections or scenario responses with a partner or small group. Discuss any differences in perspective and strategies for making healthy decisions.
- If comfortable, share one of your reflections or scenario responses with a partner or small group. Discuss any differences in perspective and strategies for making healthy decisions.
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Creative Extension:
- Draw a picture or create a comic strip that shows a positive outcome of choosing a substance-free path. Explain your drawing in a few sentences.
- Draw a picture or create a comic strip that shows a positive outcome of choosing a substance-free path. Explain your drawing in a few sentences.
Reflective Questions
- What did you learn about how substances might impact your decision-making?
- Were there common themes or influences you noticed in the scenarios?
- How can understanding these impacts help you make better choices in the future?
Use the space below to jot down your thoughts and answers. When you're done, be ready to discuss with the class or submit your sheet to the teacher.
Discussion
Class Discussion: Reflecting on Our Paths
Welcome to the class discussion! This is a time for everyone to share insights, ask questions, and reflect on what we learned today about making substance-free choices and resisting peer pressure.
Guidelines for Discussion
- Respect: Listen to your peers and speak respectfully.
- Participation: Share your thoughts, even if they're just a few words. Every idea is valuable.
- Reflection: Think about your own experiences and connect them to today's activities.
- Open-Mindedness: Consider different perspectives and strategies shared by classmates.
Discussion Prompts
- Game Reflections:
- What scenarios in Choice Quest did you find most challenging? Why?
- How did your group decide on the choices you made? Was there any strategy that emerged?
- What scenarios in Choice Quest did you find most challenging? Why?
- Activity Insights:
- What did you learn from the Substance Impact activity about how substances might change decision-making?
- Can you share an example of a reflection from either the personal reflection or the substance scenarios section?
- What did you learn from the Substance Impact activity about how substances might change decision-making?
- Personal Connection:
- Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between a healthy and an unhealthy decision? What influenced your choice?
- How can recognizing these influences guide you in future decision-making?
- Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between a healthy and an unhealthy decision? What influenced your choice?
Follow-Up Discussion Points
- Peer Pressure Dynamics: Discuss how peer pressure might alter one’s decision-making in a group setting.
- Positive Reinforcement: Share ways to support friends when they face difficult choices.
- Future Strategies: Brainstorm additional strategies that can help resist peer pressure in different scenarios.
Remember, this discussion is a safe place for everyone to speak up, listen, and learn together. Your honest insights are important. Let's dive in and reflect on our journey towards making positive choices and embracing a substance-free future!
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Choices Matter
In this warm-up activity, students will be introduced to the idea that every choice, big or small, can have a significant impact on their lives. This quick discussion is designed to engage students and get them thinking about the power behind their decisions.
Instructions for Students
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Think About Your Choices:
- Consider a recent decision you made. It could be as simple as choosing a snack or deciding to speak up in class.
- Consider a recent decision you made. It could be as simple as choosing a snack or deciding to speak up in class.
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Share Your Thought:
- In a brief discussion with your seat partner or small group, share the choice you made and why you made it. Focus on what led you to that decision.
- In a brief discussion with your seat partner or small group, share the choice you made and why you made it. Focus on what led you to that decision.
-
Reflect Together:
- Discuss how different choices can lead to different outcomes. Think about times when a small decision led to something bigger.
- Discuss how different choices can lead to different outcomes. Think about times when a small decision led to something bigger.
Discussion Questions
- What does the word "choice" mean to you?
- Have you ever noticed how a choice affected your day or your mood?
- Why do you think our choices matter in our daily lives?
This warm-up sets the stage for our session by underscoring the influence of everyday decisions, preparing you for exploring how choices affect your health and well-being.
Cool Down
Cool Down: Commitment to Choice
As we close our session today, let’s take a moment to reflect on all the discussions, activities, and decisions we made. This cool down will help you solidify your learning and set a positive intention for the week ahead.
Reflection Time
- Individual Reflection:
- Take a few minutes to think about one key idea or strategy you learned today about making substance-free choices. Write it down in your journal or on the provided paper.
- Take a few minutes to think about one key idea or strategy you learned today about making substance-free choices. Write it down in your journal or on the provided paper.
- Personal Commitment:
- Reflect on one substance-free decision you commit to making in the upcoming week. It can be related to resisting pressure or making a healthier choice in your everyday life.
- Reflect on one substance-free decision you commit to making in the upcoming week. It can be related to resisting pressure or making a healthier choice in your everyday life.
- Sharing Your Commitment (Optional):
- If you're comfortable, share your commitment with a partner or the class. Sometimes, sharing our goals makes them feel more real and achievable.
- If you're comfortable, share your commitment with a partner or the class. Sometimes, sharing our goals makes them feel more real and achievable.
Visualize Your Success
- Close your eyes for a moment and visualize how making this choice will positively impact your day-to-day life. Imagine feeling proud and confident in your decision.
Final Thought
Remember, every choice you make is a step towards a healthier, happier you. Keep this commitment in mind as you face challenges and let it guide you towards making positive, substance-free decisions.
Let's finish strong and carry our learnings into every day. Great job, everyone!