Teacher's Guide

The POP-D Teacher's Guide includes six lessons with a detailed instructional sequence, PowerPoint slides, and in-class activities.

POP-D Classroom Lessons

Lesson 1: Whose brain is awesome and amazing? Yours!

In Lesson 1, students review basic brain anatomy, learn strategies to enhance healthy brain activity, and use their creativity to design an imaginary brain.

Learning Objectives

  • Develop an understanding of the complexity of the human brain
  • Understand that adolescence produces a profound period of brain growth and change
  • Design an imaginary brain and begin to explore future human brain possibilities
  • Apply strategies essential for maintaining a healthy brain into his or her daily life
Lesson 2: Brain chemistry – Amazing and changing!

In Lesson 2, students learn basic brain functions and the process of neurotransmission. In addition, students will learn about prescription drugs and the risk of abusing prescription drugs.

Learning Objectives

  • Communicate how neurotransmission works
  • Understand ways in which brain chemistry can be changed
  • Recognize the personal nature of prescription drugs
  • Identify the parts of a prescription drug label and transfer this knowledge to other drug labels
Lesson 3: Opioid painkillers, oh my!

In Lesson 3, students learn the difference between prescription drug use and prescription drug abuse. Then, they learn about controlled substances and one category of controlled substances, opioid painkillers (opioids).

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between prescription drug use and prescription drug abuse and communicate that difference in writing
  • Describe what opioid painkillers are and explain why they are classified as controlled substances
  • Analyze the effects of opioids on the brain and nervous system when used with a prescription under medical supervision
  • Communicate the possible dangers of opioid abuse
Lesson 4: Depressants are S-L-O-W

In Lesson 4, students learn about depressants and why depressants are a categorized as a controlled substance. In addition, students contrast the beneficial effects of depressants taken for legitimate medical reasons and the dangers of abuse.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe what depressants are and explain why they are classified as controlled substances
  • Analyze the effects of depressants on the brain and nervous system when used with a prescription under medical supervision
  • Communicate the possible dangers of depressant abuse
Lesson 5: Stimulants – High speed with no brakes

In Lesson 5, students learn about stimulants and why stimulants are categorized as a controlled substance. In addition, students contrast the beneficial effects of stimulants taken for legitimate medical reasons and the dangers of abuse.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe what stimulants are and explain why stimulants are classified as controlled substances
  • Discuss how stimulants are beneficial for people with ADD/ADHD
  • Contrast the effects of stimulants, depressants, and opioids on brain function
Lesson 6: Summing it all up

In Lesson 6, students summarize what they learned in the previous lessons and then develop “refusal statements” to resist prescription drug abuse.

Learning Objectives

  • Summarize information learned in Lessons 1 through 5
  • Develop a list of situation-specific refusal statements for avoiding prescription drug abuse
  • Select refusal statements he/she is comfortable using
  • Develop a personal Twitter statement about avoiding prescription drug abuse