Have you used online resources to help students understand the dangers of underage drinking? Red Ribbon Week takes place from October 23rd to October 31st. This week is designed to educate youth about drug prevention. It was first sponsored by the National Family Partnership in 1988. In this blog post I’ll share free teacher lesson plans for Red Ribbon Week!
Earlier this year, I shared Responsibility.org’s Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix program. Ask, Listen, Learn is a practical, evidence-based, and science-based option for educators. Their fantastic resources for students are perfect for Red Ribbon Week. With free lesson plans, infographics, and games for students, you’ll have plenty to explore this month!
Free Red Ribbon Week Lesson Plans
When you head over to Ask, Listen, Learn‘s website (use this link), you’ll find a range of free resources. The first thing you’ll see on the educator portal is an overview video. This video will give you a sense of everything they have to offer.
Then, you’ll see a link for a downloadable Curriculum Guide. When I come across resources in PDF format like this one, I often save it to my Dropbox or my Google Drive. This way, I can easily access it from a mobile device when I’m on the go, like my iPad. The Curriculum Guide provides tips for before and after a lesson. There are also strategies for making curriculum connections. If you are feeling pressed for time, you can see the connection between these resources and other subject areas.
Lesson Resources
As you move down their landing page, you’ll see different categories, each with a robust set of resources. For example, in the Brain section shown below, there are lots of free resources to explore. You can share the video clip with students as a whole-class, small group, or individual viewing. Then you can share some of the resources included with each topic.
On this page, you’ll find comprehension questions and standards alignment for each lesson. There are even matching cards to share with students. Just like in the image above, there is a lesson plan overview and teacher-friendly resources for each topic on their page. You can decide where to focus on with your group of students. I love the combination of multimedia resources — this way, students can watch a digital resource and play a hands-on game to explore the content.
Download the free lesson plans!
The folks behind Ask, Listen, Learn have also partnered with Discovery Education this year. There are three more videos you can explore for Red Ribbon Week using this link. And stay tuned for a digital exploration that will be launching soon too!
Infographics for Kids
Regular readers of the blog (sign up here) know that I love infographics. One of my popular fall blog posts included tips for using infographics in the classroom. With infographics on my mind this year, I was really excited to see the resources from Ask, Listen, Learn. Not only are they great choices for Red Ribbon Week, but they can connect to a range of other literacy goals.
This link will take you to an infographic all about “Alcohol and Your Developing Brain.” It’s a perfect option to share with students and families during Red Ribbon Week. In addition to this kid-friendly infographic, you may want to explore this one designed for teachers. It’s called “Setting the Tone for Healthy Decision Making in the Classroom.” This infographic breakdown some of the big ideas for Ask, Listen, Learn‘s resources.
Similar to the student and teacher infographic, Ask, Listen, Learn also has an option for parents. It’s titled “Building Communication for a Healthy Lifestyle.” This infographic is perfect for sending home to families to help with student-caregiver communications at home. You might introduce it a family night at your school or even send the link home in a monthly newsletter.
If you’re looking for online resources to support Red Ribbon Week, the folks at Ask, Listen, Learn have you covered! Head over to their website now. You’ll find free videos, lesson plans and resources, and three infographics for kids, families, and educators.
