Collect a bag of objects that could be used to introduce a topic on substance misuse in second level CFE.  Consider how you could use active teaching strategies and write a lesson outline.  (2 hours)

Evidence:  Write a lesson outline complete with Learning intentions, success criteria and assessment strategies.  Include activities that you would be using during the learning.

Personal Thoughts:

Following the input on this topic, it was interesting to consider how substance misuse could be discussed within the classroom. As this activity is aimed at second level, I believe that a lot of discussion with children can occur. They are at an age where they may/may not know about substances however may come across something and experience it in their life. Ensuring that children and young people are informed of substance misuse, and/or use, enables them to make informed decisions and positive choices.

The attached pictures show the lesson which was prepared:

The mind map picture suggests objects we may be use within a classroom context (real/picture etc.)

Experience & Outcome: I understand the effect that a range of substances including tobacco and alcohol can have on the body. HWB 2-38a

We decided to make this activity active and engaging, getting the children to fully participate in order to develop their knowledge & understanding further. As Education Scotland (n.d) state, ‘Active learning is learning which engages and challenges children and young people’s thinking using real-life and imaginary situations’. This activity through having opportunities to look at and touch real objects therefore enables the activity & learning to have a more ‘real-life’ context.

Through opening up the discussion with children about what they already know about substances enables the teacher to gain an understanding of the pupils’ knowledge and encourages open communication within the classroom. Throughout the activity, the children should be encouraged to discuss what they believe the specific substance (each group has a few) to be, how it may be used and what effect it may have on the body. Following this discussion, the children must collaborate their individual ideas, decide and create a body outline poster stating where & what the effects of each substance may be. This will then enable each group to feedback to their peers.

Once each group has had an opportunity to feedback their ideas, the teacher can then work with the whole class to identify and discuss each substance provided. This can then also be displayed as a body outline poster with all of the discussed substances and their effects being highlighted. As a wee round off to the lesson, a short video clip could be played to highlight that any form of substance misuse doesn’t only affect you as an individual but also your family & those around you – this could then be a link to any following lesson(s) regarding substance misuse.

A short clip which could be used:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/clips/ztmxfg8

Reference:

Education Scotland (no date) About Active Learning. Available at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningandteaching/approaches/activelearning/about/what.asp (Accessed: 08 November 2015)