Standards Alignment
- TEKS.HEALTH.5.17 primary
describe the signs of poisoning or overdose and identify how to respond, including who to contact for help.
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Lesson Overview
This lesson teaches Grade 5 students how to recognize the signs of poisoning or overdose and how to respond appropriately, including who to contact for emergency help. Students will learn to identify symptoms, understand the importance of quick action, and practice seeking help to ensure safety for themselves and others.
Learning Objectives
- Identify common signs and symptoms of poisoning or overdose.
- Explain the steps to take when someone is suspected of poisoning or overdose.
- Identify the appropriate emergency contacts to call for help in poisoning or overdose situations.
- Demonstrate how to respond safely and effectively in a poisoning or overdose emergency.
Success Criteria
- Students can list at least three signs of poisoning or overdose.
- Students can describe the correct response steps in a poisoning or overdose situation.
- Students can identify the emergency number to call for help (e.g., 911).
- Students can role-play seeking help and explaining the situation clearly to emergency responders.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should understand basic health and safety concepts, including the importance of telling a trusted adult when someone is hurt or sick and how to call emergency services.
Key Vocabulary
- Poisoning
- Overdose
- Symptoms
- Emergency
- 911
- Response
- Help
- Poison Control Center
Materials and Resources
- Visual aids showing signs of poisoning and overdose (posters or slides)
- Role-play scenario cards
- Phone or toy phone for emergency call practice
- Handout with emergency contact numbers
Teacher Preparation
- Prepare visual aids illustrating signs and symptoms of poisoning and overdose.
- Develop simple role-play scenarios for students to practice responses.
- Review emergency contact procedures and local emergency numbers.
- Prepare handouts with emergency numbers and response steps for students to take home.
Detailed Lesson Notes
Understanding Poisoning and Overdose
Poisoning occurs when a harmful substance enters the body through swallowing, breathing, or skin contact. Overdose happens when someone takes too much of a drug or medicine, causing harmful effects. Both situations are emergencies that need quick action to prevent serious harm or death.
Signs and Symptoms to Recognize
Common signs of poisoning or overdose include nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, confusion, dizziness, unconsciousness, unusual behavior, or burns around the mouth. Recognizing these signs quickly helps in responding appropriately.
Steps to Respond to Poisoning or Overdose
1. Stay calm and ensure your own safety first. 2. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. 3. If you know what substance was taken, tell the emergency operator. 4. Follow any instructions given by the operator. 5. Do not try to make the person vomit unless told to do so. 6. Stay with the person until help arrives.
Who to Contact for Help
In an emergency, always call 911 to get immediate medical help. You can also contact the Poison Control Center for advice if the situation is not life-threatening. It is important to know these numbers and when to use them.
Practicing Emergency Response
Role-playing helps students practice how to call for help, explain the situation clearly, and stay calm. Practicing these skills builds confidence and prepares students to act quickly and safely in real emergencies.
Worked Examples
Worked Example 1
Scenario
A friend suddenly becomes very dizzy, starts vomiting, and is confused about where they are. What signs of poisoning or overdose do you see, and what should you do first?
Explanation
Dizziness, vomiting, and confusion are signs of possible poisoning or overdose. The first step is to stay calm and call 911 immediately to get emergency help. Then, provide the operator with all information you have and follow their instructions.
Answer Guide
The signs are dizziness, vomiting, and confusion. I should call 911 right away and tell them what is happening.
Engage
Teacher Activity
Begin by asking students if they know what poisoning or overdose means and if they have heard about any emergencies involving these situations. Show pictures of common signs and ask if they can guess what is happening.
Student Activity
Students share their ideas and experiences related to poisoning or overdose. They observe pictures and discuss what they notice.
Explanation
This activity activates prior knowledge and introduces the topic by connecting to real-life situations. It helps students start thinking about the importance of recognizing emergencies.
Examples
- Students share ideas about poisoning and overdose.
- Students recognize some signs from pictures, such as vomiting or unconsciousness.
Explore
Teacher Activity
Present different scenarios describing someone showing signs of poisoning or overdose. Ask students to identify the signs and discuss what they would do in each case.
Student Activity
Students work in small groups to analyze scenarios, identify symptoms, and decide on the best response.
Explanation
This phase helps students apply their understanding by examining realistic situations and practicing decision-making.
Examples
- Students correctly identify signs such as confusion or difficulty breathing.
- Students suggest calling 911 or telling a trusted adult.
- Students discuss not giving food or drink unless told to do so.
Explain
Teacher Activity
Explain the correct steps to take when someone is poisoned or overdoses, emphasizing calling 911, staying calm, and following instructions. Introduce the Poison Control Center as an additional resource.
Student Activity
Students listen and take notes on the response steps and emergency contacts.
Explanation
Clear explanation ensures students understand the correct procedures and the importance of quick action.
Examples
- Students can explain the importance of calling emergency services.
- Students understand the need to provide clear information.
- Students recognize the dangers of trying to treat poisoning without professional advice.
Elaborate
Teacher Activity
Lead role-play activities where students practice calling 911 and explaining a poisoning or overdose emergency. Provide feedback and model calm, clear communication.
Student Activity
Students take turns role-playing both the caller and the emergency operator, practicing what to say and how to stay calm.
Explanation
Role-playing builds practical skills and confidence in responding to emergencies, reinforcing learning through active participation.
Examples
- Students demonstrate clear communication.
- Students show understanding of emergency response steps.
- Students practice calm behavior during role-play.
Evaluate
Teacher Activity
Ask students to explain or demonstrate the signs of poisoning or overdose and the steps to respond. Use a short quiz or exit ticket to assess understanding.
Student Activity
Students answer questions or perform a brief role-play to show their knowledge of emergency response.
Explanation
Assessment confirms students have learned to recognize signs and respond appropriately, meeting the lesson objectives.
Examples
- Students correctly list signs such as vomiting, confusion, or unconsciousness.
- Students identify 911 as the emergency number.
- Students explain staying with the person and following instructions.
Classroom Activity
Students work in small groups to analyze scenarios, identify symptoms, and decide on the best response.
Guided Practice
Guided Practice 1
Prompt
Name two signs that might show someone has been poisoned or overdosed.
Teacher Answer Guide
Vomiting and confusion are two signs.
Guided Practice 2
Prompt
What is the first thing you should do if you think someone is poisoned?
Teacher Answer Guide
Call 911 or emergency services immediately.
Guided Practice 3
Prompt
If you see someone who is unconscious and not breathing after taking medicine, what steps should you take?
Teacher Answer Guide
Call 911 immediately, tell the operator what happened, and follow their instructions.
Guided Practice 4
Prompt
Why is it important not to make someone vomit unless a poison control expert or emergency operator tells you to?
Teacher Answer Guide
Because it can cause more harm, so only do it if a professional advises.
Guided Practice 5
Prompt
Explain how you would stay calm and communicate clearly when calling 911 during a poisoning emergency.
Teacher Answer Guide
Take deep breaths, speak slowly and clearly, give all important details, and listen carefully to instructions.
Independent Practice
- Foundational: Name two signs that might show someone has been poisoned or overdosed.
- Developing: What is the first thing you should do if you think someone is poisoned?
- Application: If you see someone who is unconscious and not breathing after taking medicine, what steps should you take?
- Analysis: Why is it important not to make someone vomit unless a poison control expert or emergency operator tells you to?
- Challenge: Explain how you would stay calm and communicate clearly when calling 911 during a poisoning emergency.
Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key
- 1. Signs include vomiting and confusion.
- 2. Call 911 or emergency services immediately.
- 3. Call 911 immediately, tell the operator what happened, and follow their instructions while waiting for help.
- 4. Because making someone vomit can cause more harm or make the situation worse, so you should only do it if a professional advises it.
- 5. I would take deep breaths to stay calm, speak slowly and clearly, give the operator all important details like the person's symptoms and what they took, and listen carefully to instructions.
Guiding Questions
- What signs tell you someone might be poisoned or overdosing?
- Why is it important to act quickly?
- Who can you call for help in an emergency?
- How do you stay calm and clear when calling 911?
Common Misconceptions
- Only adults need to know how to respond to poisoning or overdose emergencies.
- You should try to make someone vomit right away if they are poisoned.
- Poisoning only happens from swallowing bad substances, not from skin contact or breathing.
- Calling 911 is only necessary if the person is unconscious.
Differentiation
Support and Intervention
Provide visual aids with pictures of symptoms to help understanding. Use simple language and repeat key points during explanations. Pair students for role-play so they can support each other.
English-Language Learner Support
Use clear, simple sentences and repeat vocabulary words. Show pictures and gestures to explain signs and steps. Provide written handouts with key words and phrases.
Advanced and Extension
Challenge students to create their own emergency response scenarios. Encourage students to research local poison control resources. Have students explain why quick response saves lives using scientific reasoning.
Assessment
- Ask students to list signs of poisoning or overdose during discussion.
- Observe students during role-play calling 911 for clear communication.
- Use questioning to check understanding of response steps.
- Name three signs of poisoning or overdose.
- What number do you call in an emergency?
- Describe one thing you should do while waiting for help.
- Write a paragraph explaining how to respond if someone is poisoned.
- Create a poster showing signs of overdose and emergency steps.
Answer Guide
- Name two signs that might show someone has been poisoned or overdosed.
Answer: Vomiting and confusion are two signs. - What is the first thing you should do if you think someone is poisoned?
Answer: Call 911 or emergency services immediately. - If you see someone who is unconscious and not breathing after taking medicine, what steps should you take?
Answer: Call 911 immediately, tell the operator what happened, and follow their instructions. - Why is it important not to make someone vomit unless a poison control expert or emergency operator tells you to?
Answer: Because it can cause more harm, so only do it if a professional advises. - Explain how you would stay calm and communicate clearly when calling 911 during a poisoning emergency.
Answer: Take deep breaths, speak slowly and clearly, give all important details, and listen carefully to instructions.
Real-Life Application
Send home a handout with emergency numbers and signs of poisoning or overdose. Encourage students to discuss these with their family and practice what to do in an emergency.
Homework or Home Connection
- Send home a handout with emergency numbers and signs of poisoning or overdose. Encourage students to discuss these with their family and practice what to do in an emergency.
Lesson Summary
Students learned to recognize signs of poisoning and overdose, understand the importance of quick and calm response, and know how to contact emergency services. They practiced calling 911 and explaining emergencies clearly, preparing them to help themselves and others in real situations.
Teacher Notes
Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.