Grade 6, Unit 3: Substance Use, Addictions & Related Behaviours (Ontario Health)

The Grade 6, Unit 3: Substance Use activity packet is designed to meet both the overall and specific expectations outlined in the 2019 Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum document.

Focus of the Unit:

The purpose of this resource is to further introduce students to what substances are, and what the short-term and long-term effects are associated with using substances such as cannabis, other drugs, and intoxicating substances. Students are asked to use these effects to assess the impact that long-term or short-term use can have on the overall health of an individual. Students are also introduced to decision-making strategies when it comes to substance use, and they explore how to make safe personal choices about the use of drugs.

Specific Expectation Addressed:

The specific expectations this resource addresses are as follows:

• D1.2: Describe the range of effects associated with using cannabis, other drugs, and intoxicating substances.
• D2.4: Use decision-making strategies and skills and an understanding of factors influencing drug use to make safe personal choices about the use of drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, and about activities such as vaping, including the choice to abstain.

Lessons Included:

There are 8 lessons included in this packet. Each lesson includes a full-length lesson plan complete with three distinct parts (setting the stage, core learning activity, and lesson consolidation). The lessons included are:

Lesson 3.1: Introducing the Unit

Lesson 3.2: Exploring Substance Types

Lesson 3.3: Degrees of Substance Use

Lesson 3.4: Legalization of Cannabis

Lesson 3.5: Substances and Youth

Lesson 3.6: Influences on Substance Use

Lesson 3.7: Making Healthy Choices

Lesson 3.8: Bringing It Together

Activities, Readings, and Assignments:

There are 4 readings included in this packet along with 19 activities, 2 exit cards, 1 self-assessment grid, and 5 rubrics. Please do not feel you have to use all lessons in the order they are presented in, or all of the lessons in general. You can pick and choose the readings, activities, and lessons you wish to do with your students as you see fit.

There are 4 assignments included in this packet. The assignments are:

Assignment 3.1: Exploring Substances

Assignment 3.2: Legalization of Cannabis Debate

Assignment 3.3: Decision-Making Scenarios

Assignment 3.4: Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours Reflection Journal

Are there Answer Keys Included?

There are no answer keys included in this resource. The answers for the activities are open ended, and are dependent on student experience, and the way in which the activity is completed with students. For information on the short-term and long-term effects of substances please visit: https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts.html.

Questions? Concerns?

I am here to help! If you have any questions about this unit, or any of my units, please leave me a question under the Q&A tab below. Or, you can email me at teachinginawonderland@gmail.com.

Have a Product Request?

Please fill out this Google Form to request a product to be made.

Find Teaching in a Wonderland on Social Media:

Follow me on social media to be the first to know about new product releases, giveaways and contests.

TeachinginaWonderland on Facebook

Terms of Use:

This product is allowed to be used in the purchaser's classroom only. If you wish to share this resource with another colleague, or parent, please purchase an additional license at a discounted price. This product is not to be posted online, in whole or in part, without Teaching in a Wonderland's permission. This product is not to be altered in any way and sold as a new product.

Find an Error?

It takes quite a bit of time for a product to be created, and I know that sometimes errors can happen. Rather than leaving negative feedback, if you find an error, please let me know via the "Ask a Question" tab or by emailing me at teachinginawonderland@gmail.com and I will fix the error as fast as possible.

Revised Unit:

This resource was fully updated on 10/19/19. If you have purchased this resource prior to this date, please re-download the file to receive the new update.

Looking for other Grade 6 Health units?

{Grade 6} Unit 1: Healthy Eating

{Grade 6} Unit 2: Personal Safety and Injury Prevention

{Grade 6} Unit 3: Substance Use, Addictions & Related Behaviours

{Grade 6} Unit 4: Human Development and Sexual Health

{Grade 6} Unit 5: Mental Health Literacy