Grade 9
Overview
The focus of the grade 9 lessons is decision making and harm reduction. The overall goal is to encourage students to delay use until their brain is fully developed (25 years) and to avoid using if they have been diagnosed with or have a family history of mental illness. As this is the only course that is mandatory in high school, the important link between cannabis and psychosis is discussed in detail. Also included are safe cannabis practices, case studies with refusal techniques, and information on how to recognize warning signs of a problem and where to go for help. Finally, the lessons include wellness practices and coping strategies that encourage students to find safe alternatives to substance use when dealing with the stress and anxiety of high school life. Teachers are encouraged to use all three lessons concurrently, however each lesson can be taught independently as well.
Curriculum Expectations
Overall Expectations:
C1. - Demonstrate an understanding of factors that contribute to healthy development;
C2. - Demonstrate the ability to apply health knowledge and living skills to make reasoned decisions and take appropriate actions relating to their personal health and well-being;
C3. - Demonstrate the ability to make connections that relate to health and well-being - how their choices and behaviours affect both themselves and others, and how factors in the world around them affect their own and others’ health and well-being.
Specific Expectations:
C1.3 - Demonstrate an understanding of resilience and related protective and risk factors, and explain how these can affect choices related to substance use and addictions;
C3.2 - Identify warning signs and symptoms that could be related to mental health concerns and describe a variety of strategies for coping with or responding to mental health concerns affecting oneself or others;
C3.4 - Describe the social factors that may influence substance use or behaviours leading to addictions, and explain how decision making and communication skills can be used to respond effectively to these influences.