Grade 1 · Health Education
Quarter 4 · Week 1 · TEKS
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This Grade 1 health education lesson helps students understand the difference between the use and misuse of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, over-the-counter and prescription drugs, and other harmful substances. Students will learn how these substances can affect physical health and why making safe, healthy choices is important.
Students should have a basic understanding of what medicines are and that some medicines help people feel better when they are sick.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines you can buy without a doctor's permission, like cough syrup or pain relievers. Prescription drugs are medicines a doctor gives you a special note (a prescription) to get from the pharmacy. Both types of medicines help people feel better when used correctly. It is important to use medicines only as directed to stay safe.
Use means taking a medicine or substance in the right way to help your body. Misuse means using a medicine or substance in a way that is not safe, like taking too much, using it when you are not supposed to, or using harmful substances like alcohol or tobacco. Misuse can hurt your body and make you sick.
Alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, inhalants, and some household products can harm the body. They can make it hard to breathe, hurt the heart, or cause other problems. These substances are not safe for children and should never be used. Understanding these harmful effects helps students make safe choices.
Teachers should model and talk about safe use of medicines and avoiding harmful substances. Using real-life examples, such as taking medicine only when a parent or doctor says it is okay, helps students understand. Role-playing scenarios where students practice saying 'no' to harmful substances supports learning.
A student sees a bottle of cough syrup on the kitchen counter and wants to take some because they feel sick. What should the student do?
The student should ask a parent or trusted adult before taking any medicine, even if it is over-the-counter. This ensures the medicine is safe and the right amount is taken.
The student should ask an adult for permission before taking the cough syrup.
A friend offers a student a cigarette. What is the safe choice?
Cigarettes contain tobacco, which is harmful and not safe for children. The student should say no and tell a trusted adult if needed.
The student should say no and not use the cigarette.
Show pictures of common over-the-counter medicines and ask students if they have seen or used any of these before. Ask what they think these medicines do.
Students share experiences with medicines they have taken, such as cough syrup or band-aids.
This activity connects students' prior experiences with medicines to the lesson topic, activating their background knowledge.
Present pictures of prescription medicines and explain that these need a doctor's permission. Then show pictures of harmful substances like alcohol and tobacco and explain they are not safe for children.
Students sort pictures into groups: safe medicines (OTC and prescription) and harmful substances.
Sorting helps students distinguish between safe and harmful substances visually and conceptually.
Explain the difference between use and misuse of substances with examples. Use simple language to describe how misuse can hurt the body.
Students listen and then share examples of safe and unsafe ways to use medicines or substances.
Clarifying use versus misuse helps students understand the importance of following rules about medicines and avoiding harmful substances.
Lead role-play activities where students practice saying no to harmful substances and demonstrate asking an adult before taking medicine.
Students participate in role-plays, practicing refusal skills and safe medicine use.
Role-playing reinforces safe behaviors and empowers students to make healthy choices.
Ask students to explain the difference between over-the-counter and prescription drugs and to name some harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances.
Students respond verbally or draw pictures showing safe and unsafe substance use.
Assessment through explanation or drawing shows students' understanding of key concepts.
Students sort pictures into groups: safe medicines (OTC and prescription) and harmful substances.
What is one example of an over-the-counter drug?
Cough syrup is an example of an over-the-counter drug.
Why do some medicines need a doctor’s permission before you can use them?
Because they need to be used carefully and a doctor knows the right amount and when it is safe.
Name two harmful substances that can hurt your body.
Alcohol and tobacco are two harmful substances that can hurt your body.
If someone uses medicine in the wrong way, what might happen to their body?
Using medicine the wrong way can make the person feel worse or cause harm to their body.
Explain why it is important to ask an adult before taking any medicine or using any substance.
It is important because adults know which medicines are safe and how to use them properly, and they can help protect you from harmful substances.
Use simple language and pictures to explain concepts. Provide one-on-one support during sorting and role-play activities.
Use visual aids and gestures to support vocabulary understanding. Repeat key ideas and check for understanding frequently.
Encourage students to explain the reasons behind safe and unsafe behaviors. Have students create their own safety posters about medicines and harmful substances.
Send a letter home encouraging families to talk with their children about medicines they use at home and the importance of using them safely.
Students learned to identify the difference between over-the-counter and prescription drugs and understand the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other dangerous substances. They practiced making safe choices about medicines and substances and learned to ask adults for help to protect their health.
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