Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 5

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify health risks of alcohol and tobacco.
• Explain and resist peer pressure.
• Describe the laws about underage drinking and smoking.
• Know who to ask for help and support.

Lesson summary

This week, we're tackling a crucial topic: substance abuse prevention, with a particular focus on alcohol and tobacco. Understanding the dangers of alcohol and tobacco is incredibly important for your health and well-being. Many people in South Africa, unfortunately, struggle with substance abuse, and it's crucial to understand the risks and make informed decisions to protect yourselves and your communities. We'll discuss the effects these substances can have on your body, your mind, and your relationships, and learn strategies for resisting peer pressure and making healthy choices. This knowledge will empower you to live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Lesson notes

What are Substances? Substances are things that can change the way your body and mind work. Some substances are helpful, like medicine prescribed by a doctor. But some substances, like alcohol and tobacco, can be very harmful, especially if used incorrectly or at a young age.

Alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down your brain and body functions. It's found in drinks like beer, wine, and spirits (like brandy, vodka, and gin). Alcohol can affect your coordination, judgment, and reaction time.

Short-Term Effects: When someone drinks alcohol, they might feel more relaxed or happy at first.

But it can also lead to: Slurred speech: Difficulty speaking clearly.

Loss of coordination: Difficulty walking straight or doing simple tasks.

Poor judgment: Making risky decisions they wouldn't normally make.

Nausea and vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach.

Headaches: Pain in your head.

Long-Term Effects: Over time, drinking too much alcohol can damage your liver, heart, and brain.

It can also lead to: Alcoholism (Alcohol Use Disorder): A disease where someone is addicted to alcohol and can't control their drinking.

Liver disease (Cirrhosis): Scarring of the liver, which can lead to serious health problems.

Heart problems: High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even heart failure.

Brain damage: Problems with memory, learning, and thinking.

Example 1: Imagine Sipho, a Grade 5 learner, sees older children drinking alcohol at a party. They offer him some, saying it will make him "cool." If Sipho drinks the alcohol, he might experience slurred speech and loss of coordination. He might also make poor decisions, like wandering off alone. Long-term, if he started drinking regularly at a young age, he could develop serious health problems.

Tobacco: Tobacco is a plant that contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance. It's usually smoked in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, or chewed as snuff or chewing tobacco.

Short-Term Effects: When someone smokes tobacco, they might feel a slight buzz at first.

But it quickly leads to: Bad breath: Unpleasant smell coming from the mouth.

Yellow teeth: Stained teeth.

Coughing: Irritation of the lungs.

Increased heart rate and blood pressure: The heart works harder.

Long-Term Effects: Smoking tobacco is extremely harmful to your health and can cause: Lung cancer: A deadly disease that affects the lungs.

Heart disease: Problems with the heart and blood vessels.

Emphysema: A lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.

Other cancers: Cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, and other organs.

Addiction: Nicotine is very addictive, making it hard to quit smoking.

Example 2: Zanele sees her older sister smoking cigarettes. Her sister tells her it helps her relax. If Zanele starts smoking, she will quickly become addicted to the nicotine. Over time, she could develop lung cancer or heart disease. Even secondhand smoke (breathing in the smoke from someone else's cigarette) can be harmful.

Peer Pressure: Peer pressure is when people around you try to influence you to do something, whether you want to or not. It can be direct (someone asking you to do something) or indirect (seeing others doing something and feeling like you should too).

Negative Peer Pressure: This is when people try to get you to do something that is harmful or against your values, like drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco.

Strategies to Resist Peer Pressure: Say "no" firmly and confidently: Don't make excuses or apologize.

Suggest something else to do: Offer an alternative activity that is fun and healthy.

Surround yourself with positive friends: Choose friends who support your healthy choices.

Walk away: If you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation.

Talk to a trusted adult: Tell a parent, teacher, or counselor about the situation.

Legal Implications: In South Africa, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy or possess alcohol or tobacco products. Selling alcohol or tobacco to a minor is also illegal and can result in serious consequences. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: List two short-term effects of alcohol and one long-term effect.

Solution: Short-term effects: Slurred speech, loss of coordination.

Long-term effect: Liver disease.

Commentary: This question reinforces the understanding of the immediate and lasting consequences of alcohol consumption.

Question 2: How can peer pressure influence someone to start smoking? Describe one strategy to resist this pressure.

Solution: Peer pressure can influence someone to start smoking by making them feel like they need to smoke to fit in or be accepted by a group. If someone sees their friends smoking, they might feel pressured to try it, even if they know it's bad for them. One strategy to resist this pressure is to say "no" firmly and confidently and suggest an alternative activity, such as playing a game or going for a walk.