8 Session Sample Curriculum

Learning Objectives

Session 1: To learn how the brain functions, including the structures and pathways in the brain; to understand the unique features of the adolescent brain and its vulnerability to addiction; to understand the ways the brain reacts to drugs.

Session 2: To develop a definition of addiction, discus addiction physiology and the brain’s response to drugs, address addiction myths; provide information about effects of addiction.

Session 3: To understand nicotine and its addictive properties; to learn how tobacco companies design tobacco properties to be addictive.

Session 4: Learn about the history of tobacco in the United States; identify the targeted marketing practices used by tobacco companies; understand the differences in tobacco products, including their respective risks.

Session 5: Obtain accurate knowledge about how e-cigarettes/vape pens are made to work; understand the mechanisms by which the products of e-cigarettes/vape pens enter (or are absorbed) into the body.

Session 6: Identify predatory marketing strategies employed by tobacco and e-cigarettes/vape pen industry; understand specific marketing strategies that e-cigarettes/vape pen manufacturers and the tobacco industry use to increase use among adolescents.

Session 7: Explore and understand the appeal of pod-based e-cigarettes among adolescents in order to counter the appeal.

Session 8: Understand information about smokeless tobacco and hookah.

Instructions

This is a suggested 8-session curriculum that educators can use over a 8-day or 8-period course, with 50-minute sessions.  Before using the curriculum, we suggest that educators become familiar with the material including reviewing the teacher-focused crash courses.

Educators should go through each unit and download the PowerPoint for class presentation. Educators should also download the accompanying activities for in-class activities. Speakers' notes are embedded in the PowerPoint.  Activities are meant to be printed for students before class begins.  We refer to any 50 minute period as a "Session." Sessions can be done once weekly, on consecutive days, or multiple sessions per day, depending on individual need.

Addiction (Sessions 1-3)

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Tobacco Products (Session 4)

Session 4

E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens (Sessions 5-7)

 

Session 5

Session 6

Session 7

Other Tobacco Products (Sessions 8)

Session 8