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Year 6

Legal and illegal drugs

I can identify how legal and illegal drugs can affect our bodies.

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New
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Year 6

Legal and illegal drugs

I can identify how legal and illegal drugs can affect our bodies.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Drugs are substances that change the way our bodies work.
  2. Some drugs are prescribed by a doctor.
  3. Information about drugs and their impact on the body can be researched using secondary sources of information.
  4. Some drugs are illegal because of the negative impact they have on our bodies. It is not safe to take illegal drugs.

Keywords

  • Drug - Drugs are substances that change the way our bodies work.

  • Illegal - Something that is illegal is against the law.

  • Addictive - Something addictive is something that is very hard to stop doing because your body craves more.

  • Prescribed - Drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor are safe for you to take if you follow the doctor’s instructions exactly.

  • Impact - The impact of something is the effect it has.

Common misconception

Pupils may think that the word ‘drug’ only refers to illegal drugs due to its common usage and that taking any drug will have a negative impact on their body.

Using the examples in the lesson, explain that a drug is any substance which changes the way our bodies work and that they can be helpful or harmful.

This lesson covers sensitive content around drugs and their effects. You may want to alert relevant pastoral or safeguarding staff about the content that will be covered and encourage them to discuss it with any pupils who are accessing support for related issues.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Secondary sources are provided in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do you call a person who knows a lot about the body and helps treat illness or injury?
An image in a quiz
architect
engineer
Correct answer: doctor
astronaut
Q2.
This impact of something is …
the cost it has.
Correct answer: the effect it has.
the size it is.
the shape it is.
Q3.
If something has a negative impact on your body, it is…
good for you.
Correct answer: bad for you.
Q4.
What does it mean if something is illegal?
It is harmful.
It is not safe.
Correct answer: It is against the law.
It is only for adults.
Q5.
Sometimes, when you visit a doctor, you get a prescription. What is a prescription for?
An image in a quiz
It can be used to explain why you are away from school or work.
Correct answer: It allows you to get the medicines the doctor has advised.
It gives you instructions so you know how to be more healthy.
It explains the symptoms of your illness.
Q6.
Some things are addictive, like smoking. What does ‘addictive’ mean?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: It is very difficult to stop doing once you have started.
It is unpleasant so it’s very easy to stop doing.
It should not be stopped once you have started.
It costs a lot of money.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a drug?
any substance that makes you feel better and heals you if you are ill
Correct answer: any substance that changes the way your body works
any substance that is against the law to take and damages your body
Q2.
We can find out more about different types of drugs and their impact on our bodies by carrying out using secondary sources of information.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: research, researching
Q3.
Match the legal drug to the products it can be found in.
Correct Answer:caffeine,coffee, tea, and energy drinks

coffee, tea, and energy drinks

Correct Answer:alcohol,wine, beer, and spirits

wine, beer, and spirits

Correct Answer:nicotine,cigarettes and vape pens

cigarettes and vape pens

Correct Answer:paracetamol,painkiller tablets, and cold and flu medication

painkiller tablets, and cold and flu medication

Q4.
Some types of drugs can only be prescribed by a ...
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: doctor.
engineer.
achitect.
teacher.
Q5.
Some drugs are illegal because…
they are too expensive for people to buy.
Correct answer: they can be very harmful.
they make people feel good.
they are too difficult to produce.
Q6.
Which of these statements is correct?
Correct answer: It is not safe to take illegal drugs.
Illegal drugs are safe to take if you follow the instructions.
Legal drugs never cause harm to people.
It is illegal for children to take any kinds of drugs.

Additional material

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