Teaching Tool - Cannabis (Grade 6)

This lesson teaches students what cannabis is and the risks associated with its use.

Learning goals

  • I will gain a clear understanding of what cannabis is and how it is used
  • I will gain an understanding of reasons for use and non-use among youth
  • I will be able to describe the risks of using cannabis and understand ways to refuse its use
  • I will gain an understanding of legislation
  • I will recognize the link between mental health and substance use

Core knowledge content

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

Ontario curriculum expectations

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

  • D1.2 describe the range of effects associated with using cannabis, other drugs (e.g. prescription medications such as opioids; illicit opioids such as heroin, crack, cocaine, Ecstasy, crystal methamphetamine), and intoxicating substances (e.g. gas, glue) (Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectation, A1.6 Thinking.
  • D1.4 identify people, resources, and services in the school and the community that can provide support when a person is dealing with mental health issues and choices or situations involving substance use and addictive behaviours, and describe how to access these supports (Mental Health Literacy). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectations A1.1 Emotion, A1.2 Coping, A1.6 Thinking.
  • D2.3 apply social-emotional learning skills (e.g. self-awareness and self-management skills, including anger management; communication skills, including listening skills and assertiveness skills) to promote positive interaction and avoid or manage conflict in social situations, in person or online (e.g. classroom groups, groups of friends, sports teams, school clubs, social media sites, online games). (Personal Safety and Injury Prevention). This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectation A1.1 Emotions, 1.2 Coping, 1.4 Relationships, 1.5 Self.
  • D2.4 use decision-making strategies and skills and an understanding of factors influencing drug use (e.g., personal values, peer pressure, media influence, curiosity, legal restrictions, cultural, religious, and spiritual teachings) to make safe personal choices about the use of drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, and about activities such as vaping, including the choice to abstain. This specific expectation is also connected to the social emotional learning expectation A1.2 Coping, 1.4 Relationships, 1.5 Self, 1.6 Thinking.

Learning activities

Cannabis presentation (essential)

This presentation introduces cannabis, the physiological effects, and the health effects.

Cannabis trivia

In this activity, students can work together in groups to answer the cannabis trivia questions.

Factors of cannabis use

In groups, students will brainstorm factors of cannabis use, and influences.

Supplementary resources

Curriculum connections: Cannabis trivia and factors of cannabis use

Reading - Ontario Language Curriculum (2006)

  • 1.6 extend understanding of texts by connecting, comparing, and contrasting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights, to other familiar texts, and to the world around them
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