Year 10 PE & Health Lesson Plan: Alcohol and Drug Use

This lesson plan is designed for Year 10 students in New Zealand, focusing on the health implications, societal impact, and individual consequences of alcohol and drug use. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum's Health and Physical Education standards, specifically at Level 5, which emphasises understanding the factors that influence personal choices and behaviours, including those related to substance use.

Objectives:

- Understand the effects of alcohol and drug use on physical and mental health.
- Explore the social, legal, and personal consequences of substance abuse.
- Develop strategies to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure related to drug and alcohol use.

Resources Needed:

- Computer and Projector for presentations and videos
- Whiteboard and markers
- Handouts on key facts about alcohol and drug use
- Scenario cards for role-play
- Links to helpful resources such as the Alcohol Drug Helpline and Health Navigator NZ

Lesson Plan Breakdown:

Introduction (10 minutes)

- Activity: Begin with a question prompt on the board: "What do you know about alcohol and drug use?". Allow students to share their thoughts freely to assess their pre-existing knowledge.
- Discussion: Briefly outline the purpose of the lesson and what will be covered.

Part 1: Effects of Alcohol and Drugs (15 minutes)

- Presentation: Use slides to show information on common substances (alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine) including how they affect the brain, body, and behavior. Include visuals of the brain and specific body systems affected.
- Discussion: What are the short-term and long-term health consequences of using these substances?

Part 2: Legal and Social Consequences (10 minutes)

- Group Activity: Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a scenario card depicting a legal or social situation involving drugs or alcohol (e.g., caught driving under the influence, school suspension for possession).
- Task: Each group discusses the scenario and predicts the potential consequences, then shares with the class.

Part 3: Making Informed Choices (10 minutes)

- Role-Play: Use scenario cards that involve peer pressure to use substances. Students take turns role-playing different responses to these pressures and discuss alternative healthy behaviors.
- Discussion: Strategies to resist peer pressure and make informed, healthy choices.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

- Recap and Reflect: Summarize the key points learned in today's lesson. Ask students to mention one new thing they learned about the impact of drugs and alcohol.
- Homework/Extension: Assign students to create a poster or a digital presentation on strategies to promote a drug-free lifestyle among peers.

Assessment:

- Participation in discussions and activities
- Group presentation on scenario outcomes
- Completion and quality of the homework assignment

Additional Resources:

- NZ Drug Foundation (Link): Comprehensive information on drug education and prevention.
- Ministry of Health NZ - Alcohol and Drug Use (Link): Official guidelines and help resources.

This lesson plan is crafted to meet the specific curriculum needs of Year 10 students, focusing on practical information and strategies to understand and deal with issues surrounding alcohol and drug use in New Zealand.