Sexuality Education & Substance Abuse (Introduction)

Grade 5 · Physical Education

Semester 2 | Period 6 | Week 33

Download the Lessonotes Mobile Liberia app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.

Subject: Physical Education

Semester: 2

Period: 6

Week: 33


School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: Physical Education
Grade Level: Grade 5
Date: Week 33
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 33, Period 6
Topic: Sexuality Education & Substance Abuse (Introduction)
Sub-topic: Substance abuse – meaning, causes (peer pressure, curiosity), introduction to its dangers

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to define substance abuse, explain causes such as peer pressure and curiosity, and state why substance abuse is harmful.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know that some substances like alcohol and smoke can harm health.

Instructional Materials
Charts showing harmful substances, pictures of people smoking or drinking.

Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Teacher asks: What happens when you eat spoilt food or drink dirty water? Learners answer, and teacher links this to harmful substances.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Definition:
The teacher defines substance abuse as the wrong or harmful use of drugs, alcohol, or chemicals in a way that damages health, behavior, or future.

Explanation:

  • Causes of Substance Abuse:
  1. Peer pressure – wanting to fit in with friends who use drugs.
  2. Bad company – keeping friends who influence one to smoke, drink, or sniff.
  3. Curiosity – wanting to “try and see” how drugs feel.
  4. Desire to feel good or escape problems – using substances to relax, reduce sadness, or avoid stress.
  5. Media influence – movies, music, or adverts that make drug use look “cool.”
  • Harmful Effects of Substance Abuse:
  1. Health problems – lung damage, liver failure, weak brain, and poor memory.
  2. Poor school performance – lack of focus, skipping classes, dropping in grades.
  3. Addiction – getting hooked and unable to stop.
  4. Loss of respect and opportunities – people avoid you, and you miss future chances.
  5. Early death – overdose or accidents caused by drug use.

Demonstration:

  • Teacher narrates short stories of real or imaginary young people who suffered because of substance abuse.
    • Example: A bright student who started smoking with friends, lost interest in school, and failed exams.
    • Example: A football player who drank alcohol, got sick, and lost his chance to play professionally.
  • Teacher writes causes and effects on the board with simple illustrations (e.g., picture of healthy lungs vs. smoker’s lungs).
  • Teacher demonstrates refusal skills, e.g., how to say “No” firmly, walk away, or change the topic.

Examples of Substances Commonly Abused:

  • Drugs: marijuana, opium, cocaine, cigarette, snuff, kola nuts.
  • Alcohol: cane juice, gin, rum, beer, and wine.

Practical Activities:

  1. Role-play Refusal Skills:
    • Groups of learners act out scenarios:
      • A friend offers a cigarette.
      • A group pressures someone to taste gin.
      • A learner says “No,” gives a reason, and walks away.
  1. Group Listing: Learners list substances they know and classify them into “drugs” and “alcohol.”
  2. Discussion: Learners discuss examples of peer pressure they have seen in real life.

Learners’ Activities (Expanded):

  • Learners share their own ideas about why some young people use harmful substances.
  • Learners match substances (marijuana, beer, snuff, rum) to their categories (drug or alcohol).
  • Learners participate in role-plays to practice saying “No.”
  • Learners write one effect of substance abuse on a piece of paper and share with the class.

Assessment Checks:

  • Teacher asks oral and written questions:
    • What is substance abuse?
    • Name two causes of substance abuse.
    • State two effects of substance abuse on a learner’s life.
  • Teacher observes role-plays to check if learners can refuse confidently.

Notes (Expanded & Detailed):

  • Substance abuse is dangerous and can destroy health, education, and future opportunities.
  • Saying “No” to harmful substances helps learners stay safe, focused, and healthy.
  • Good friends encourage positive habits like studying, sports, and exercise—not harmful drug use.

Assignment:

  1. Define substance abuse in your own words.
  2. Write down three causes and three effects of substance abuse.
  3. Ask an adult at home (parent, teacher, neighbor) why young people should avoid drugs. Write their answer.
  4. Practice at home: With a family member, role-play how you would say “No” if someone offered you a harmful substance. Write a short note on how you felt saying “No.”

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Teacher revises meaning of substance abuse, its causes, and dangers.

Evaluation Method (Expanded)
Exit slip/quiz: Learners write one cause of substance abuse and one harmful effect. Teacher will collect slips and provide oral feedback.

Assignment (Expanded)
Write three reasons why you will avoid drugs.

Follow-up Activity
Learners will share what they learned with their parents.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies
Teacher uses pictures and real-life examples for learners to understand better.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low