Understanding Alcohol and Drug Use

Lesson Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 7 Health students focusing on the use of alcohol and drugs, including understanding categories, effects, and Australian laws related to these substances. This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education for Years 7-10, particularly in the area of personal, social and community health.

Curriculum Reference

• Content Strand: Health and Physical Education
• Sub-strand: Personal, Social, and Community Health
• Focus Area: Alcohol and Other Drugs

Lesson Duration

• Time: 50 minutes
• Class Size: 20 students

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify different categories of drugs and provide examples.
2. Understand the effects of alcohol and drugs on health and well-being.
3. Explain the basic principles of Australian laws regarding alcohol and drug use.

Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and screen
• Printed copies of a fact sheet on Australian laws regarding alcohol and drug use
• "Effects of Substances" chart
• Response cards for each student (green for agree, red for disagree)

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Start with Discussion: Begin the lesson with a short discussion. Ask students what they know about alcohol and drugs. Encourage them to share their thoughts and perceptions.

• Goal Setting: Explain the objectives of the lesson, emphasising the importance of understanding both the effects of substances and the legal framework in Australia.

2. Categories of Drugs (10 minutes)

• Interactive Presentation: Use the projector to display a chart illustrating different categories of drugs (e.g., stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens) and provide examples of each.

• Class Activity: Have students work in pairs to brainstorm additional examples they might have heard about and how they think these categories affect the body.

3. Effects on Health and Well-being (10 minutes)

• Visual Chart: Show an "Effects of Substances" chart highlighting short-term and long-term effects on physical and mental health for both alcohol and other drugs.

• Group Discussion: Divide the class into small groups and have each group choose one substance from the chart to discuss its impact. They should think about not only the physical effects but also the social and economic consequences.

4. Australian Laws (10 minutes)

• Fact Sheet Review: Distribute a printed fact sheet summarising the key Australian laws related to alcohol and drug use.

• Guided Explanation: Walk through the fact sheet, explaining the legal drinking age, laws on drug use, and the consequences of breaking these laws. Engage students by asking questions like, "Why do you think these laws are important?"

5. Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Class Quiz: Conduct a quick true or false quiz using the response cards. Ask statements such as, "Alcohol is a depressant" or "You can legally drink alcohol at any age with a parent's consent in Australia."

• Closing Reflection: Ask students to write down one new thing they learnt and a question they still have. Collect reflections for feedback and to adjust future lessons.

Extensions

• Homework Assignment: Have students research a recent news article related to alcohol or drugs and prepare a short paragraph about how it relates to what they learned in class.

• Guest Speaker: Consider inviting a local law enforcement officer or healthcare professional to speak about real-life implications of alcohol and drug use.

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This lesson plan aims to engage Year 7 students with age-appropriate content through varied activities that enhance their understanding of the complexities surrounding alcohol and drug use, as well as the legal context in Australia. By fostering a comprehensive and interactive learning environment, students are better prepared to make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.