Grade 6

The DECYDE Grade 6 Program consists of a series of fully developed lessons which are intended to be taught in sequence. However individual lessons or activities can be standalone depending on timing and the needs of your class. Each lesson consists of a lesson plan, activities, answer keys and supplementary information to aid teachers in the delivery of substance use health education.

Lesson 6.1: Making Sense of Substances: Understanding Drugs and Their Effects

Students will learn about the different categories of drugs including medical, non-medical, legal and illegal, and learn about their effects on the body and how to make smart decisions regarding use. 

Lesson 6.2: Impact of Substance Use on Growth and Development

Students will learn about the five dimensions of health and wellness, the spectrum of substance use, factors influencing decision making, and the importance of making healthy decisions to promote wellbeing. 

Lesson 6.3: Health and Societal Impacts of Smoking and Vaping

Students will learn about the impacts of smoking and vaping on health, the environment, and society, and how to identify the ways vape and tobacco companies use advertisements, social media, and packaging to target youth.

Refer to the following information to aid in delivery of the lessons:

  • The Skills Based Health Education (SBHE) infographic highlights the approach that should be taken in the delivery of the DECYDE materials. An emphasis should be placed on learning skills that will promote and protect student health and well-being. You can view our infographic on SBHE here.

     

  • The FACE Decision-Making Model should be used to guide students through their responses to scenarios within the lesson plan. You can view our infographic on the decision making model here.

     

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur in childhood.  Discussions around medical and non-medical drug use may be traumatic for some students. To help you consider strategies to create a learning environment where everyone feels safe, consider taking a Trauma-Informed approach. You can view our infographics on Trauma Informed Practices here and ACES here.

     

  • The Substance Use Health Glossary includes core concepts related to substance use health. The glossary is meant to support educators and adults working with youth by providing context that will support informed dialogue in the classroom and other learning environments. You can view the Substance Use Health Glossary here.

  • Substance Snapshots aim to provide educators with information about various drugs that are incorporated throughout the activities and discussions in the lessons.  Each snapshot summarizes how the drug is used, the different effects, when to seek emergency help, and how to stay safe. These documents are intended to support educators in their delivery of drug education and are not for direct student use unless deemed developmentally appropriate.  You can view the Substance Snapshots here.