Unit Topic: How to Resist the Use of Gateway Drugs Grade Level: 4th

Grade Lesson Duration: 45-52 minutes Instructional Model: 5E

Instructional Model

Engage (5-7 minutes):

 Begin the lesson by presenting a real-life scenario or anecdote related

to gateway drugs, such as a story of someone who resisted the
temptation to use them.
 Ask students to share their prior knowledge and experiences with
gateway drugs, encouraging them to think critically and reflect on any
discussions or information they may have encountered in the past.

Explore (10-12 minutes):

 Introduce the key vocabulary for the lesson: gateway drugs, resistance,
influences, decision-making, consequences.
 Facilitate a class discussion on the concept of gateway drugs, their
potential risks, and the importance of making responsible decisions.
 Divide students into small groups and provide them with research
materials or articles about different gateway drugs (e.g., tobacco,
alcohol, marijuana) and their effects.
 In their groups, students will read and discuss the information,
identifying the potential risks and consequences associated with each
gateway drug.

Explain (10-12 minutes):

 Bring the class back together and ask each group to share their findings
and observations.
 Discuss the concept of resistance and why it is important to resist the
use of gateway drugs.
 Present strategies for resisting peer pressure and making informed
decisions about drug use, such as learning refusal skills, finding healthy
alternatives, and seeking support from trusted adults.

Elaborate (10-12 minutes):

 Engage students in a role-play activity where they will act out scenarios
involving peer pressure related to gateway drugs.
  Provide different scenarios, such as a friend offering them a cigarette or
inviting them to drink alcohol, and have students practice responding
with refusal skills.
 Encourage students to think critically about the consequences of each
scenario and how their refusal skills can help them resist the use of
gateway drugs.

Evaluate (5-7 minutes):

 Assess students' understanding and learning by conducting a class

discussion and asking questions related to the lesson.
 Provide each student with a reflection worksheet where they can
summarize what they have learned about resisting gateway drugs,
including key vocabulary and strategies.
 Collect the worksheets to review individual student understanding and
to inform future instruction.

Closure (3-5 minutes):

 Summarize the main points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance

of resisting gateway drugs and making informed decisions.
 Ask students to reflect on how they can apply what they have learned in
their own lives and share their thoughts with the class.

Options for Differentiation:

 Provide additional support or modify the reading materials for students

who may struggle with the content.
 Offer graphic organizers or note-taking templates to help students
organize their thoughts during the reading and discussion activities.
 Pair students with different learning styles or abilities to ensure
collaboration and support within small groups.
 Use visual aids or props to enhance understanding and engagement,
such as posters or models of gateway drugs.

Assessment of Learning:

 Evaluate students' understanding through their participation in the class

discussion, small group activities, and role-play scenarios.
 Assess their reflection worksheets for accurate comprehension and
application of key vocabulary and strategies.
 Collect and review student work from the elaboration phase, focusing on
their critical thinking and decision-making skills demonstrated during the
role-play activity.