General

Lesson Plans

How Do Genes Affect Addiction?

  • Grade level: 6-8 (also contains adapted lessons for 4-6th grade reading level)
  • Includes lesson plan with student article, worksheet, and tiered vocabulary list (also has adapted lesson for 4th – 6th grade reading level)
  • Teaches about the risk factors for addiction, including genetics; and, choices students can make to reduce their risk
  • Duration: 1 class period
  • Standards aligned with: Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and National Science Education Standards
  • Source(s): National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) & Scholastic

Recovery from Drug Addiction

  • Grade level: 6-8
  • Includes lesson plan with student article, worksheet, class discussion questions, vocabulary lists, and writing prompts
  • Teaches about addiction as a disease of the brain and recovery; discusses why on person may become addicted and another may not; and, includes chart of protective factors and risk factors
  • Duration: 1 class period
  • Standards aligned with: Common Core State Standards, National Science Education Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and National Council for the Social Studies
  • Source(s): National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) & Scholastic

Project ALERT (Adolescent Learning Experiences Resistance Training) Curriculum

  • Includes free evidence-based program with pre- and post-test, 14 lesson plans, 12 projectable classroom posters, 8 short videos, supplemental resources, and teen leaders program that is available online free of charge and
  • Teaches about drug use and pro-drug mindset of today’s teens
  • Duration: 6-7+ class periods
  • Standards aligned with: National Health Education Standards
  • Source(s): RAND Corporation

*Also available in Spanish

Additional Resources

NEW! NIDA Scientist Virtual Q&A Videos

  • Grade level: 6-8
  • Includes 4 videos with transcripts and teacher’s guide with discussion questions for each video
  • NIDA scientists answer teens’ top questions about drug use and addiction:
    • What is the worst drug?
    • Can using drugs help me deal with anxiety and depression?
    • What happens when drugs are combined?
    • What is addiction?
  • Duration: Videos are 1.5-2.5 minutes plus discussion and/or writing exercises
  • Source(s): National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NEW! Mind Matters Series

  • Grade level: 6-8
  • Includes 9 student booklets (8 on different substances and 1 on drugs and the brain) and a Teacher’s Guide with suggested classroom activities
  • Student booklets are available online (with videos) or for download
  • Source(s): National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

*Also available in Spanish

National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge

  • 11 question Kahoot quiz about drugs and drug use
  • Students can play as a guest or sign up to create an account
  • Source(s): National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)