Lesson 9.2: Sexual Health and Substance Use
This lesson will focus on sexual health and substance use, emphasizing relationships and communication styles, substances and sexual health, consent and being prepared, and what to do if things go wrong.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 9 Health Curriculum:
- To be aware of the process of decision making and the role of values with respect to sexual expression.
- To recognize the impact substances can have on consent and decision-making related to relationships and sexual health.
- To identify where to seek help for support or guidance related to sexual health.
- To have an increased awareness of own and other’s expectations of dating relationships.
- To become aware of the reciprocal nature of dating relationships
- To practice making decisions regarding some of the problems that occur in dating relationships.
- To identify and compare the outcomes of passive, aggressive, and assertive behaviours.
- To improve personal communication skills through classroom interaction and practice.
- To review and implement the FACE decision-making process.
- To identify and demonstrate various communication patterns.
Lesson Plan
Activities
Learning Activity 1: Relationships and Communication Styles
Introduction: Different Types of Relationships
This activity will encourage students to think of relationships they see in their own lives.
Pre-Activity: Communication Styles
This activity will introduce students to the 5 different communication styles and encourage them to consider their own communication styles.
Exploration Activity (Part 1): Assertive Communication
This activity will will help students identify how to become more assertive in their communication.
Exploration Activity (Part 2): FACE Scenarios
The following scenarios focus on using assertive communication in relationships.
Scenario 1: Sam and Avery: Vaping to Impress
Scenario 2: Casey and Zack: When Love Feels Overwhelming
Scenario 3: Maya and James: Balancing Relationships and Personal Values
Teacher Discussion Guide
Infographics: FACE Decision-Making Model, Factors Influencing Decision-Making
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographics as they work through FACE Scenarios
Sharing and Reflection: Communication and Relationships
Students will answer questions to reflect on what they learned about communication and relationships throughout this lesson.
Learning Activity 2: Substances and Sexual Health
Infographics: Substance Use and Sexual Health
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographic as they work through this Learning Activity.
Pre-Activity: Myth/Fact
This class activity inform students on some of the more risky drugs that may be used during sex. While all substance use contains risks, certain drugs are used more commonly in sexual contexts, and it is important for students to understand their risks.
Exploration Activity (Part 1): Infographic Scavenger Hunt
Students will use the Substances and Sexual Health infographic to fill in the effects and risks of using substances during sexual activity.
Exploration Activity (Part 2): FACE Scenarios
The following scenarios focus on navigating substance use in sexual relationships.
Scenario 4: Dakota and Cameron: Substance Use and Sexual Dysfunction
Scenario 5: Alex and Charlie: The Truth about Poppers?
Teacher Discussion Guide
Sharing and Reflection
This activity will provide students with a chance to reflect on how substance use can impact sexual health and how they can use what they have learned to make healthy decisions in the future.
Learning Activity 3: Consent and Being Prepared
Introduction: Consent Videos
Exploration Activity (Part 1): Consent Stickers
Students will design stickers to act as PSAs to inform about consent.
Infographic: Staying Safer Around Substances and Sexual Activity
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographic as they work through this Learning Activity.
Exploration Activity (Part 2): FACE Scenarios
The following scenarios focus on navigating substance use in sexual relationships.
Scenario 6: Bailey and Ali: Is the Consent Clear or Cloudy
Scenario 7: Maria and Max: Consent and Complicated Boundaries
Scenario 8: Ari and Taylor: Navigating Nerves
Teacher Discussion Guide
Sharing and Reflection: Share an Experience
Students will reflect on and describe an experience where they had to give consent in their own life, or imagine a situation in the future where giving consent will be important.
Learning Activity 4: What to Do if Things Go Wrong
Pre-Activity: Protect Yourself from Sexual Violence
This activity will help students learn about how they can protect themselves from sexual violence.
Exploration Activity (Part 1): Personal Sexual Health Safety Plan
Students will create a list of items or strategies related to sexual health and substance use to create their own personal sexual health safety plan. Students may find it helpful to refer to the DECYDE Substance Use and Sexual Health Resources page as they work through this activity.
Exploration Activity (Part 2): FACE Scenarios
Please note: The following scenario contains themes of sexual assault.
Scenario 9: Jenna’s Night: Piecing It Together
Teacher Discussion Guide
Sharing and Reflection: Choice Board
For their final sharing and reflection activity, students will have the opportunity to pick an activity and create a project incorporating what they have learned throughout this lesson.
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.