Standard of Learning

9.3The student will analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the relationship between positive health behaviors the prevention and treatment of injury, and premature death. Key concepts/skills include

1. risky behaviors that may result in permanent disability for self or others;
2. the consequences of using weapons in acts of violence;
3. identification of situations involving risks;
4. use of universal precautions and appropriate application of first aid, CPR, and other emergency procedures;
5. the effects of alcohol and other drug use.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand the consequences of high-risk behaviors, such as alcohol and other drug abuse and using weapons in acts of violence, and the relationship between high-risk situations and increased risk of injury or premature death.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• identify situations with inherent risks. (driving recklessly, selling or buying drugs, participating in contact sports, using weapons, etc.)
• describe inappropriate actions that may contribute to injury. (not wearing a seatbelt, pranks, dares or challenges and other negative peer pressures, bullying, prejudice, riding with an intoxicated driver, etc.)
• recognize how anger contributes to fights, using weapons, and other violent behaviors. (anger causes the heart to beat faster, blood rushes to your face, muscles tense up, etc., so your body is ready to defend itself - without your brain channeling this energy into something positive, the situation can escalate into a serious conflict)
• identify how alcohol and other drug use may contribute to injury and violent crimes. (lose ability to control anger, make poor judgments and decisions, susceptible to negative group pressures, drive under the influence, etc.)

Sample Lessons

All About Groups, Community: The Importance of Rules
Grades 5-12
Upon successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to understand the necessity of rules for groups. In particular, they will learn how to do the following: (1) Defend why we have rules (2) Create rules for a group following the model for rule making discussed in class (3) Identify rules in groups they are a part of (4) Move quickly and quietly to groups & (5) Encourage participation by all.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSMDGroupsCommunity3-ImportanceOfRules2.htm
Sponsor: LessonsPlanPage.com
Free

In the Mix: "9-11: Looking Back...Moving Forward"
Grade(s): 7-12
This lesson is designed for students in middle school up through high school.  In this lesson students will learn how things have changed since that day and stereotypes that have come from that day.
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/9-11_guide.html
Free

In the Mix: "What is Depression"
Grade(s): 9-12
In this lesson, students will examine teenage depression: what it's all about, how it feels, and ways to deal with it. This will be accomplished by small group discussions, recalling life events that trigger depressive episodes, self-reflection and topic research. Upon completion, students will have a better understanding of depression and how it relates to their own lives.
http://www.pbs.org/inthemix/educators/lessons/depression1/index.html
Free

Group Rope Squares
Grades 5-12
This lesson will further reinforce group cohesion and communication skills as well as problem solving and cooperation. In teaching a drug prevention program, it is important to introduce activities like this that illustrate to students that Together they can help solve each other's problems, depend on one another, and communicate their needs to others.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – substance abuse prevention)
Free

NetSmartz Safety Presentations and Activity Cards
Grades K-12
Presentations: NetSmartz has developed Internet safety presentations for use with children of all ages and adults. Educate parents and communities with slides detailing online risks, statistics, resources, and tips for keeping children safer online. Encourage tweens and teens to examine their online behavior and take steps to prevent victimization of themselves and others. Teach younger children what to watch out for on the Internet and how to avoid these risks. http://www.netsmartz.org/Presentations/
Activity Cards: These activity cards are related to online activities and are easy to implement with few extra materials. Printable handouts are included. You may want to skim through the activities to get ideas for discussing Internet safety with the children. The activities address age appropriate concerns regarding children and teens internet use.  http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/activitycards.htm#k2
Sponsor: NetSmartz
Free

Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT)
Grades 5-10
Model program to prevent or reduce tobacco use in youth. Ten core and 2 booster lessons. Includes effective refusal and coping skills; effects of media and advertisers; methods to build self-esteem; and strategies for advocating no tobacco use.
Sponsor: Department of Preventive Medicine, USC
Contact: http://www.etr.org
Cost

Risky Business
Grades 6-12
Through this lesson students will review the possible consequences of making risky choices, become familiar with statistics involving teens, and create and play a board game designed to show how bad choices can lead to setbacks.
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/riskyBusiness/
Sponsor: Discovery Education
Free

Romeo and Juliet – Suicide Prevention
Grade: 9
This lesson is designed for 9th grade students to gain an understanding of suicide and how it can be prevented; to apply knowledge of suicide to Romeo and Juliet.
http://www.nmatza.net/les.plan.samp.html
Free

Samaritans: "Understanding Self-Injury"
Grade(s): 8-10
In this lesson students will be taught to challenge misconceptions surrounding self-injury, and to discuss routes to find help and support.  Along with learning those skills, students will also learn to practice how to help support someone who is self injuring and to understand what self-injury is.
http://www.samaritans.org/pdf/B2UnderstandingSelf.pdf
Free

Samaritans: "Understanding Suicide"
Grade(s): 8-10
In this lesson students will identify when someone may be seriously considering suicide and will dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings about suicide.  Then while participating in those activities, they will learn about some of the ways that students may be able to help someone who is feeling suicidal.
http://www.samaritans.org/pdf/B3UnderstandingSuicide.pdf
Free

Your Own Classroom Court
Grades: 5-12
Students sometimes do not understand why we have a rule and, as adolescents, do not respect the rules. If students take part in making their own rules they may find it easier to follow them. This lesson will apply that logic to teach students the importance of rules.
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/cecsst006.html
Sponsor Educator’s Reference Desk
Free

Lesson Ideas

• Students compare and discuss data for classmates (collected anonymously) with that reported by CDC regarding DUI. Students review the steps for decision-making then work in small groups to develop plans for prom night to minimize the risk for driving or riding with someone under the influence of alcohol.

Additional Instructional Resources

• Abuse & Addiction – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (health & fitness 9-12)
• ACDE Drug Prevention Lesson Plans - http://www.acde.org/educate/Lessons.htm
• American Outreach - http://www.americanoutreach.org
• Avoiding Risky Behaviors - http://www.healthierus.gov/behaviors.html
• Drug and Violence Prevention - http://dave.esc4.net
• The Educators Reference Desk- School Safety - http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Safe
• ESR Educators Building Social Skills - http://www.esrnational.org/es/skills.htm
• Health Teacher (membership fee) - http://www.healthteacher.com
• Juvenile Courts
• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center-Educators - http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/pros/educators.asp
• Police Departments
• Resource Officer
• Texas Drug and Violence Education Lesson Plans- http://dave.esc4.net
• Virginia Best Practices in School-based Violence Prevention - http://www.preventviolenceva.org

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• bring in a recent article involving high-risk behaviors to discuss how the injury or death could have been avoided.
• write a two-page paper about a conflict that escalates into a violent situation.
• explain why people who have been drinking alcohol or using other drugs are more likely to become violent.

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