Teaching Tool - Vaping (Grade 5)

This lesson teaches students what electronic cigarettes are and the risks associated with their use.

Learning goals

I will gain a clear understanding of what electronic cigarettes are and how they work
I will be able to explain the risks of using electronic cigarettes
I will learn strategies to refuse their use

Core knowledge content

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

Vaping core knowledge content

Ontario curriculum expectations

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

D2.3 demonstrate the ability to apply decision-making, assertiveness, and refusal skills to deal with pressures pertaining to alcohol use or other behaviours that could later lead to addiction. (Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectations A1.4 Relationships. 1.6 Thinking.
D3.3 identify personal and social factors (e.g., emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, cultural, legal, media, and peer influences) that can affect a person's decision to drink alcohol or use cannabis at different points in their life. (Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectations A1.2 Coping, 1.6 Thinking.

Learning activities

Vaping presentation (essential)

This presentation introduces vaping, explains the different methods of vaping and the health effects.

Vaping presentation

Refusal skills

Students will brainstorm what influences their opinion on vapes or e-cigarettes, and why they would not want to use them.

Mystery box activity

In this activity, the teacher will produce a box filled with various materials. Students will have to guess what the materials are, for the purpose of understanding the risk's associated with vapes and the ingredients in vapes.

Mystery box activity instructions

Supplementary resources

Vaping education resources

Curriculum connections

Drama - Ontario Arts Curriculum (2009): Refusal skills

B1.1 engage actively in drama exploration and role play, with a focus on examining issues and themes in fiction and non-fiction sources from diverse communities, times, and places

Relating Science and Technology to Society and the Environment - Ontario Science Curriculum (2007): Vaping presentation

1.1 assess the effects of social and environmental factors on human health, and propose ways in which individuals can reduce the harmful effects of these factors and take advantage of those that are beneficial