Lesson 8.2 : Impact of Self-Concept on Substance Use Decisions
Students will learn about the impact of self-concept, self-care, and health and wellness on substance use decisions. Students will reflect on their own self-concept and consider how this could influence them when making decisions about substance use.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 8 Health Curriculum:
- To recognize the short- and long-term effects of alcohol and drugs on health and the risks associated with their use.
- To be aware of the particular risks associated with substance use by teens.
- To be aware of the dangers of combining alcohol and other drugs.
- To understand social influences, including advertising, on decisions about substance use.
- To consider personal, familial, and societal values related to substance use.
- To identify and promote alternative activities not involving alcohol or other substances.
- To identify sources of help and information for substance use.
- To have an appreciation of the role of drugs in our society.
- To understand some health-related implications of substance use.
- To be aware of the part that decision-making plays in substance use.
- To appreciate how experiences affect self-concept.
- To identify the effects of self-concept on behaviour.
- To understand the importance of positive support and feedback on developing a positive self-concept.
- To differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate ways of handling moods and feelings.
- To use the decision-making process to choose alternate courses of action when dealing with feelings.
Lesson Plan
Activities
Learning Activity 1: Goal Setting and Self-Concept
Introduction Activity
Students will learn about self-concept and consider their own self-esteem and how they view themselves.
Infographic: Self-Concept
Students may find it helpful to refer to the Self-Concept infographic as they work through this Learning Activity.
Pre-Activity: Confidence and Self-Esteem
Students will watch the following video and engage on a discussion about how to improve their confidence based on tips from the video.
Exploration: Making SMART Goals
In this activity, students will learn how to make SMART goals, which is an important part of building confidence.
Sharing and Reflection: Personal Action Plan
Students will reflect on their positive qualities and create a foal to help them take actionable steps toward building their self-confidence.
Learning Activity 2: The Impact of Self-Concept on Health and Wellness
Introduction Activity
This video about Self-Care will help guide class discussion on the role of self-care in decision making and health and wellness.
Infographics: Self-Concept, Self-Care, Health and Wellness, Factors Influencing Decision-Making
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographics as they work through this Learning Activity.
Pre-Activity: Look and Listen: Social Wellness
In this activity, students will watch a video on Social Wellness and respond to questions from the video individually or in small groups.
Exploration: Self-Concept Scenarios
Students will assess different scenarios with youth who find themselves in challenging situations. Students will examine factors influencing decision-making and the role of self-concept, confidence, and self-care in making difficult decisions.
Scenario 1: Alex: Will I Lose Weight? – Smoking Cigarettes
Scenario 2: Taylor: A New School – Smoking and Cannabis
Scenario 3: Hunter: Mixing Substances Won’t Hurt, Will It?
Scenario 3: Parker: Vaping Nicotine to Stay Focused
Self-Concept Scenarios: Teacher Discussion Guide
Sharing and Reflection: Who Am I?
In this activity, students will reflect on a specific substance and how it can affect self-concept. They will also reflect on their own self-concept by creating a collage.
Learning Activity 3: Self-Concept and Decision Making
Infographics: FACE Decision-Making Model, Factors Influencing Decision-Making
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographics as they work through this Learning Activity.
Exploration: FACE Decision-Making Scenarios
Students will assess different scenarios with youth who find themselves in challenging situations. Students will explore and assess how choices and decisions can affect one’s well being and why careful decision-making is important.
Scenario 1: Riley: Hitting the Pen: Will I Feel Better?
Scenario 2: Brady: Is Alcohol the Answer?
Scenario 3: Casey: Perfecting the Latest Video Game – Non-prescription Methylphenidate
FACE Decision-Making Scenarios: Teacher Discussion Guide
Sharing and Reflection: Self-Care and Wellness to Help Make Better Decisions
Students will reflect on the different areas of health and wellness and identify which areas they are strongest in and which areas need improvement.
Substance Snapshots
Substance Snapshots aim to provide educators with knowledge surrounding specific substances, classes of substances, and methods of consumption. These documents are intended to support educators in their delivery of drug education. They are not for direct use by elementary students.