Teaching Tool - Talking About Tobacco (Grade 4)

The purpose of this presentation provides students the opportunity to learn about the effects of tobacco use.

Learning goals

I will identify the effects of tobacco use on the body
I will learn the concept of "addiction"
I will learn factors influencing tobacco use, including regulation
I will practise strategies for personal safety, empowering them to make healthy choices

Core knowledge content

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

Talking about tobacco core knowledge content

Ontario curriculum expectations

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

D1.4 identify substances (for example, nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar) found in tobacco and vaping products (for example, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) and smoke, and describe their effects on health. (Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours).
D2.3 demonstrate the ability to make and support healthy, informed choices about smoking and vaping, using their understanding of factors that affect decisions about smoking and vaping and a variety of social emotional learning skills. (Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectations A1.2 Coping, 1.4 Relationships, 1.6 Thinking.
D3.2 describe the short- and long-term effects of first- and second-hand smoke on smokers and on people around them, and the effects of vaping. (Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours).

Learning activities

Talking about tobacco (essential)

This lesson will introduce students to the respiratory system and the impact smoking has on it.

Choose to be tobacco-free (essential)

In this activity, students can participate in scenarios that revolve around tobacco and smoking.

Tar jar activity

This activity encourages students to explore the negative impacts of tobacco on the human body using the visual aid of molasses in a clear jar.

Tar jar instructions

Out of breath activity

In this activity, students will use straws to demonstrate the impact smoking can have on the ability to be physically active.

Out of breath instructions

Every puff you take

Students will learn important key terms through a matching activity.

Effects of smoking on the body

Students will brainstorm different effects that smoking can cause on the body.

Smoke and mirrors

Students can work in groups and record how smoking is found in the media, such as movies and books.

Smoke and mirrors instructions

Tobacco-free life

Students will brainstorm the ways smoking can impact activities, such as sports.

Tobacco-free for life instructions

Supplementary resources

Curriculum connections

Media literacy - Ontario Arts Curriculum (2009): Tar jar

B1.4 communicate thoughts, feelings and idea to a specific audience, using audio visual, and/or technological aids to enhance their drama work

Media literacy - Ontario Language Curriculum (2006): Smoke and mirrors

1.1 identify the purpose and audience for a variety of media texts