The Human Body and Health · SHS1 General Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 1.4.1.LI.1 - Analyse the attributes of drugs.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Define a drug in scientific terms and distinguish between legitimate medicines and substances of abuse.
Identify and explain the common attributes of drugs, including source, dosage, side effects, addiction potential, and withdrawal symptoms.
Classify drugs based on their effects on the human body (stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens) using concrete examples.
Analyse scenarios involving drug use and determine whether the drug usage is appropriate or harmful based on its attributes.
Justify the importance of understanding drug attributes for making informed personal health decisions.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Relationships with the Environment (Strand 4)
Sub-strand: The Human Body and Health (4.1)
Content standard: 1.4.1.CS.3 - Exhibit understanding of the concept of drugs and reflect on their effects on humans as well as their control. 1.4.1.LO.3 Clarify the concept of drugs and reflect on their effects on humans.
Indicator: 1.4.1.LI.1 - Analyse the attributes of drugs.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 13 (Week 33 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 55

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Put learners in mixed-ability groups to brainstorm and come out with the attributes of drugs.
- Invite a resource person to talk to learners about drugs, their attributes and harmful effects.
- Learners use the internet, books, videos, and journals to search to consolidate what they have learnt on the effects of drugs on humans and how to control the use of drugs.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Computer with a modem, charts, videos, journals, and books showing people affected by drug abuse.
- Resource person.
- Active Internet services.
- Computer and Mobile phones.
Assessment (1.4.1.AS.1). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 3 Strategic reasoning.