LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read about three teens who choose to stay sober; understand risks of teen substance use as well as the rewards of staying sober; distinguish facts from myths about peer pressure.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 5: Use decision-making skills to enhance health.

CASEL: Responsible decision making, relationship skills, self-management

KEY VOCAB

abstaining

dependence

sober

Why We Stay Sober

Despite what you might think, the majority of teens don’t drink, smoke, or use drugs. Read three teens’ reasons for saying no. 

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “Why We Stay Sober,” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What are some physical and mental health benefits of staying sober?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “Why We Stay Sober” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz and Audio Vocabulary Review 

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

In WAYS TO SAY NO, students will work in small groups to participate in a role-play exercise based on one of the peer pressure scenarios provided in the skills sheet. While role-playing, they should try to show ways to confidently say no to substances even when under social pressure. Have students act out their roles in front of the class so they can learn from one another.

Print the Lesson Plan

Text-to-Speech