GRADE 8: LESSON PLAN 2
Lesson 8.2 : Impact of Self-Concept on Substance Use Decisions
Students will learn how self-concept, self-care, and health and wellness impact substance use decisions and reflect on how their own self-concept could guide their choices.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 8 Health Curriculum:
Drug Education
- 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.
Emotional and Social Well-Being
- 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.
Learning Activities
The following activities are designed to support the delivery of this lesson and help reinforce key concepts. Some activities are available in multiple formats to offer flexibility and accommodate teacher or student preferences.
- Learning Activity 1: Goal Setting and Self-Concept
- Introduction Activity
Students will explore the concept of self-concept and reflect on their own self-esteem and personal self-perception.
- 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 video “Wellbeing For Children: Confidence and Self-Esteem” and discuss strategies for building confidence based on the tips presented.
- Exploration: Making SMART Goals
Students will learn how to make SMART goals as part of building confidence.
- Sharing and Reflection: Personal Action Plan
Students will reflect on their positive qualities and create a goal 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 Self-Care video 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
Students will watch a Social Wellness video and respond to questions.
- Exploration: Self-Concept Scenarios
Students will analyze scenarios involving youth in challenging situations, examining the factors that influence decision-making and the role of self-concept, confidence, and self-care in making difficult choices.
- Self-Concept Scenarios: Teacher Discussion Guide
Provides teacher guidance for this activity.
- Sharing and Reflection: Who Am I?
Students will examine the impact of a selected substance on self-concept and engage in self-reflection by developing a collage that represents their own self-concept.
- 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 scenarios of youth in challenging situations, exploring how decisions influence well-being and the importance of making thoughtful choices.
Scenario 3: Casey: Perfecting the Latest Video Game – Non-prescription Methylphenidate
- FACE Decision-Making Scenarios: Teacher Discussion Guide
Provides teacher guidance for this activity.
- Sharing and Reflection: Self-Care and Wellness to Help Make Better Decisions
Students will reflect on the various dimensions of health and wellness, recognizing areas of personal strength as well as areas that may need further development.
These resources may help support the delivery of the lesson plan and learning activities:
Educational Materials
The relevant Educational Materials for this lesson are referenced throughout the lesson plan; additional ones are available here.
Substance Snapshots
Relevant Substance Snapshots are noted in the lesson plan; more may be accessed here.