Teaching Tool - Cannabis (Grade 7)

This lesson teaches students what cannabis is and the risk associated with its use.

Learning goals

I will gain a clear understanding of what cannabis is and how it is used
I will gain an understanding of reasons for use and non-use among youth
I will be able to describe the risks of using cannabis and understand ways to refuse its use
I will gain an understanding of legislation
I will recognize the link between mental health and substance use

Core knowledge content provides the teacher with the background information needed to prepare and teach this health class.

Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education (2019)

D1.2 demonstrate an understanding of linkages between mental health problems and problematic substance use, as well as between brain development and cannabis use, and identify school and community resources that can provide support for mental health concerns relating to substance use, addictions, and related behaviours (Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectations A1.2 Coping, A1.4 Relationships, and A1.6 Thinking.
D3.2 analyse the personal and societal implications of issues related to substance use, addictions, and related behaviours (Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectation A1.6 Thinking

This presentation introduces cannabis, the physiological effects, and the health effects.

In this activity, students can work together in groups to answer the cannabis trivia questions.

In this activity, students will have one minute to write as many ideas about a given topic, connecting to cannabis.

In groups, students will brainstorm factors of cannabis use, and influences.

1.2 demonstrate an understanding of appropriate listening behaviour by adapting active listening strategies to suit a wide variety of situations, including work in groups
1.6 extend understanding of oral texts, including increasingly complex text, by connecting, comparing, and contrasting the ideas and information in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights

1.3 gather information to support ideas for writing, using a variety of strategies and a wide range of print and electronic resources
1.4 sort and classify ideas and information for their writing in a variety of ways that allow them to manipulate information and see different combinations and relationships in their data
1.6 determine whether the ideas and information they have gathered are relevant, appropriate, and sufficiently specific for the purpose, and do more research if necessary