Grade Levels: K-3

In this set of activities adaptable for grades K-3, parents and educators will find ideas for teaching about illegal drugs, peer pressure and decision making. These activities are designed to complement the BrainPOP Jr. Illegal Drugs topic page, which includes a movie, quizzes, online games, printable activities, and more.

Classroom Activities for Teaching About Illegal Drugs

Lights! Camera! Action!
Discuss peer pressure in a whole class discussion. Has anyone ever been encouraged to do something they didn’t want to do? What was their response? How did they feel? What happened? Have students work in small groups to write and produce a movie, skit, song, or other performance that deals with peer pressure. Encourage groups to be creative—they can write about an experience they have gone through or about something they have seen happen at school or in their communities. Then have groups perform or share their work with the whole class.

Campaign

Have your class start a poster campaign to promote a drug-free environment and lifestyle! The campaign may have a specific focus, such as calling students to take a drug prevention pledge. Encourage the class to come up with the pledge together or write their own slogans for their posters. Provide time and materials for them to create their posters and share them with the class. Then, if possible, have students hang their posters all around campus, or even in their communities.

Family and Homeschool Activities for Teaching About Illegal Drugs

Health Goals

Healthy children make healthy choices! Work together to create goals for health, such as exercising three times a week, eating 1-2 cups of vegetables a day, or just saying “no” to drugs. Write the goals down and then set up activities that you can do together to reach the goals. You may want to keep a collaborative journal about your activities and changes in the way you feel and grow.

Spin Cycle

Spin your child around five or more times. Then challenge him or her: can you write your name and phone number? Was it hard or easy? Why? Then have your child spin again and have him or her do a simple activity, like catch a ball or tie a shoe. Explain that drugs affect the brain and body in a similar way—they confuse your thought processes and make it hard to think or even see clearly. Discuss why everyone should avoid abusing drugs.

Extension Activities:

Campaign
Have your class start a poster campaign to promote a drug-free environment and lifestyle! The campaign may have a specific focus, such as calling students to take a drug prevention pledge. Encourage the class to come up with the pledge together or write their own slogans for their posters. Provide time and materials for them to create their posters and share them with the class. Then, if possible, have students hang their posters all around campus, or even in their communities.

Family and Homeschool Activities for Teaching About Illegal Drugs

Health Goals
Healthy children make healthy choices! Work together to create goals for health, such as exercising three times a week, eating 1-2 cups of vegetables a day, or just saying "no" to drugs. Write the goals down and then set up activities that you can do together to reach the goals. You may want to keep a collaborative journal about your activities and changes in the way you feel and grow.

Spin Cycle
Spin your child around five or more times. Then challenge him or her: can you write your name and phone number? Was it hard or easy? Why? Then have your child spin again and have him or her do a simple activity, like catch a ball or tie a shoe. Explain that drugs affect the brain and body in a similar way—they confuse your thought processes and make it hard to think or even see clearly. Discuss why everyone should avoid abusing drugs.

Filed as:  Drugs, Health, Illegal Drugs, K-3