Making a Difference: Elementary school curriculum
supplement for drug education
Many
junior high students will already have been exposed to
alcohol and other drug prevention education in elementary
school. Elementary school teachers have access to
Making A
Difference: Curriculum Supplement. A Teacher’s Drug
Prevention Resource for Health Education. Grades
Primary–6, developed in 2003 by
Addiction Services, Nova Scotia Department of Health, and
English Program Services, Nova Scotia Department of
Education. This junior high–level resource builds on
the groundwork laid in the early years. To illustrate this
connection, the elementary supplement is briefly described
here.
The package contains three lesson plans for each grade
(1–6) tied to the scope and sequence of the
elementary school health curriculum. The lessons are
concerned with the development of attitudes, knowledge,
skill, and behaviour identified as contributing to drug
prevention, with an emphasis on individual and social
competency. The resource promotes the development of a
healthy lifestyle, with appropriate drug information woven
into the content at each grade level.
The lesson plan components are similar to those in the
junior high supplement and include
- peer support
and peer influence, including refusal skills
- relationships—family
and friends
- self-concept
- responsibility—individual
and social
- decision
making and problem solving
- influence of
the media
- health-enhancing lifestyle development, including dealing with stress
This junior high school supplement is closely tied to the curriculum outcomes, and lessons for grades 5 and 6; the objectives of the lessons for these two grades follow:
Grade 5
Lesson One—Each Individual Is Unique and Special
- develop a
stronger sense of self
- examine ways
others influence how we feel about ourselves by
considering compliments made and responsibilities taken
- affirm
ability to make decisions and take responsibility
- develop an
understanding of self within the community and of how we
can affect others
- recognize in
ourselves some of the traits others view as worthwhile
- encourage
positive relationships with others
- provide an opportunity to share ideas about health-enhancing alternatives to drugs
Lesson Two—Exploring Media Messages and Influences
- critically
examine messages given by the media and society
- develop
questioning skills in looking at advertising
- recognize
influences on our decisions, while realizing that we are
responsible for our decisions
- develop confidence in our ability to assess the influences on our lives and to make responsible decisions based on this knowledge
Lesson Three—Risks and Consequences
- examine risks
and consequences of using drugs
- develop
skills necessary to refuse drugs
- recognize and
develop behaviours that discourage drug use
- explore optional ways to spend free time
Grade 6
Lesson One—Myths and Truths
- clarify myths
and truths about drugs and drug use
- encourage
students’ questions
- encourage
problem solving
- provide an
avenue for exploring values
- continue to
build self-worth through encouraging creative,
independent work
- provide accurate information about drugs and their effects in the body
Lesson Two—Examining the Issues
- provide for
practice of problem-solving and decision-making skills
- examine
consequences, both for self and others, of involvement
with drugs
- provide for
recognition of individual and community responsibility
- build
competence and confidence in handling difficult
situations
- provide accurate factual information about drug terms
Lesson Three—Developing Goals
- explore
creative and innovative healthy ways to have fun
- develop
short-term goals
- consider and
explore possible long-term goals in a non-stressful way
- encourage
building on individual strengths as a way to spend free
time
- consider the possible effects of drugs on these activities and goals.
Available online from http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/addictionPrevention.html.