How to Find a Lesson Plan on Drugs

Due to the long term health-related and legal consequences that can result from drug use, the earlier students and young people can be exposed to educative materials the better. How an educator crafts their lesson plan or course-work is largely up to her discretion. There are a number of primary venues, however, where she can access suggestions for format and content and where she can gain interactive ideas to apply to her classroom environment.

Instructions

• 1

  Search the Internet for lesson plans. As you do so, you will locate a wide variety of different approaches. The next challenge is for you to decide how to contour the lesson --- be it types of substances studies, media you want to employ or the age group of students you wish to target.

• 2

  Opt for different media or materials. First, you can access a number of videos, brochures, pamphlets and other materials to show or distribute to your students. These can present the subject information in engaging ways. Videos in particular are a favorite for many students, while, at the same time, documentary films can bring others' poignant personal stories more to life. Foundation for a Drug Free World offers such packets for potential instructors (see Resources).

• 3

  Consider using props. Hot Chalk's lesson plan involves bringing in materials (like sugar for cocaine and oregano for marijuana) to mimic the presence of the substance (see Resources). Students are then encouraged to list the drug's appearance, classification, effects and the method of ingestion. You can split the class into groups surrounding each type of drug.

• 4

  Focus on the effects. Regardless of which drug(s) you're focusing on, you want to acquaint the student with how each impacts the body. You can tailor the graphic nature or specific language to the grade-level audience you're dealing with. Nonetheless, the more you drive home the negative physical effects, the more students will continue to make related associations.

• 5

  Contact local or state law enforcement. In many communities, your local police department may offer its own program or, at the very least, be willing to help you develop your own. A possible lesson plan may involve inviting a police officer to visit your classroom and describe some of her experiences, knowledge or expertise on the subject. This may be especially engaging for younger children.