Lesson Plan Roadmap Brain Boss Brain Boss Says No Thanks
Lesson Plan: Healthy Choices & Refusal Skills
Duration
45 MIN
Lesson Objective
Students will distinguish between medicine and harmful substances (alcohol, tobacco, unknown drugs), describe their effects on the body and brain, learn medicine safety rules, and practice a refusal script to stay healthy.
Prep & Materials
Body & Brain Helpers Slides
Scenario Cards (Cut & Prep)
Substance Matching Worksheets
Likert Check-In Sheets
Performance Rubrics
Mini-Journal Pages
Audience
1st Grade
MTSS Tier 1 Universal Instruction
Approach
Structured, scaffolded steps with high visual support and guided practice.
Instructional Sequence
0-5 min
Pre-Assessment & Hook
Distribute Pre-Assessment Likert Check-In. Read statements aloud to guide students through their current awareness.
Differentiation: Model the first item. Use icon cues (thumbs up/down) for ELLs.
5-10 min
Warm-Up: Medicine Safety Quick Draw
Prompt: "Draw one helper (medicine with adult) and one harmer." Students share and name their choices.
MTSS Tier 1: Display an example drawing. Praise effort over artistic accuracy.
10-15 min
Circle Talk Discussion
Discuss "Healthy Fuel" vs. "Harmful Stuff." Record keywords on chart paper: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medicine with adult.
Differentiation: Provide sentence frames: "I think ___ is healthy because ___."
15-20 min
Direct Instruction: Slides
Present "Body and Brain Helpers vs. Harmers" Slides. Focus on effects: brain fuzzy, lungs cough, confusion.
20-30 min
Guided Practice: Scenarios & Matching
Pairs sort Scenario Cards. Complete the Substance Matching Worksheet individually or with partners.
Differentiation: Higher learners write full sentences; others circle pictures and verbalize effects.
30-40 min
Role-Play: Refusal Script
Script: "No thanks. I make healthy choices."
Model then practice in pairs. Teacher circulates with Refusal Script Performance Rubric.
40-45 min
Closure & Post-Assessment
Revisit Likert Check-In. Exit ticket: "My Healthy-Choice Menu Mini-Journal" entry (draw/write one healthy alternative).
Brain Boss Slides Brain Boss Says
No Thanks
Helpers vs. Harmers
Teacher: Welcome students! Today we learn to be the "Boss" of our brains.
Our Mission
1
Name 3 harmful substances: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Unknown Drugs.
2
Explain how they hurt our Body or Brain.
3
Practice the Refusal Script.
Helpers vs. Harmers
Helpers
Medicine
Helps us feel better when given by a Trusted Adult.
Harmers
Harmful Stuff
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Mystery Drugs that hurt our health.
What is Alcohol?
⚠️ Adult Drinks Only
Found in some grown-up drinks.
🧠 Fuzzy Brain
Makes it hard to think clearly.
💫 Dizzy & Slow
Makes your body clumsy.
What is Tobacco?
🚭 Smoke & Cigarettes
Contains things that hurt our lungs.
🫁 Cough, Cough!
Makes it very hard to breathe.
🛑 Heart Attack
Hurts our heart over time.
Mystery Drugs
Don't Recognize It? Don't Take It!
Could make you sick
Makes you confused
The Gold Safety Rule
Only take medicine from a
Parent
Doctor
Teacher
Your Brain Boss Voice
Say it loud & proud:
"No thanks.
Be firm, be polite, be a Brain Boss!
Be a Healthy Choice Hero!
Drink Water
Play Outside
Ask for Help
You are the Boss of your Brain!
Medicine Safety Quick Draw Warmup Brain Boss Quick Draw
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Be the boss of your brain! In the boxes below, draw one helper and one harmer. Remember: medicine is a helper when a grown-up gives it to you!
Brain Helper
Talk about it:
"This is my helper because ____________________________________________________________________."
Brain Harmer
Talk about it:
"This is my harmer because ____________________________________________________________________."
Safe Rule: Only take medicine from a trusted adult!
Healthy Fuel Circle Talk Guide Circle Talk Guide
Topic: Why Our Bodies Need Healthy Fuel
Objective: Distinguish between help/harm fuel for body & brain.
Duration: 10-15 Minutes
Setup
Sit in a circle or U-shape.
Have chart paper divided: Healthy Fuel | Harmful Stuff .
Use red and green markers for recording.
Ground Rules
Raise hand to share.
Listen with respect.
Frame: "I think ___ is healthy/harmful because ___."
Discussion Prompts & Flow
1
"What does the word 'FUEL' mean for our bodies and brains?"
Expected Answer: Energy to play, learn, grow. Action: Record "Fuel = Energy" on chart center.
2
"Looking at your drawings, which one shows a HELPER that acts like healthy fuel?"
Expected Answer: Medicine from adult, fruit, water. Action: Add items to "Healthy Fuel" column.
3
"Which drawing shows a HARMER that can hurt your body or brain?"
Action: Add items like alcohol, tobacco, mystery drugs to "Harmful Stuff" column.
4
"How do alcohol or tobacco smoke affect us? What did we learn?"
Key Points: Fuzzy brain, coughing lungs, feeling sick/slow.
5
"The Golden Rule: Why only take medicine from a trusted adult?"
Prompt: "I should only take medicine from ________ because ________."
Facilitator Observations / Notes
Scenario Cards Healthy or Harmful Choice Activity Scenario Cards
Healthy or Harmful Choice?
1st Grade Health
How to Play: Cut out the cards. In pairs, draw a card and read the story. Decide if the choice is Healthy or Harmful . Tell your partner why using the Brain Boss rule!
#01
Your friend offers you a glass of water when you feel thirsty.
Healthy
Harmful
#02
Someone offers you a sip of a red drink and says it’s alcohol.
Healthy
Harmful
#03
Your mom gives you a cough medicine that your doctor prescribed.
Healthy
Harmful
#04
A classmate asks you to try a puff of a stranger’s cigarette.
Healthy
Harmful
#05
You see an unlabeled pill on the ground and your friend says it’s candy.
Healthy
Harmful
#06
Your teacher reminds you to ask before taking any medicine.
Healthy
Harmful
#07
Someone offers you a piece of fruit as a snack.
Healthy
Harmful
#08
A cousin offers you a small taste of their tobacco chew.
Healthy
Harmful
#09
Your dad gives you a vitamin gummy that’s labeled for kids.
Healthy
Harmful
#10
A neighbor asks you to sniff a strange powder from a friend.
Healthy
Harmful
#11
Your sister offers you a cup of herbal tea to help you relax.
Healthy
Harmful
#12
Someone offers you a drink from a bottle you’ve never seen before.
Healthy
Harmful
Brain Boss Health Lesson • Scenario Sort
Match the Substance to Its Effect Worksheet Match the Brain Boss
Substances & Their Effects
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Matching
Draw a line to match the substance to how it makes your body or brain feel.
1. Alcohol
2. Tobacco Smoke
3. Unknown Drugs
4. Water
5. Medicine with Adult
A. Helps you stay hydrated.
B. Makes your brain feel fuzzy.
C. Can make you sick or confused.
D. Helps you feel better safely.
E. Hurts lungs and makes you cough.
Part 2: Brain Boss Thinking
1. Why should you ONLY take medicine from a trusted adult?
2. Choose one harmful substance and tell what it does to the body.
3. Write our Refusal Script (what you say to stay safe!):
"No thanks. I make ______________ ______________."
Be a Healthy Hero!
Worksheet and Scenario Answer Key Answer Key & Guide
Brain Boss: Healthy Choices Unit
Teacher Resource
Matching Worksheet Key
Correct Matches
1. Alcohol B (Fuzzy Brain)
2. Tobacco Smoke E (Cough/Lungs)
3. Unknown Drugs C (Sick/Confused)
4. Water A (Hydrated)
5. Medicine w/ Adult D (Feel Better)
Short Response Guide
Trusted Adult Rule:
"They know the right amount," "They keep me safe," "Taking wrong medicine can hurt."
Refusal Script:
"No thanks. I make healthy choices."
Scenario Cards Key
01. Water: Healthy (Hydration)
02. Alcohol: Harmful (Fuzzy brain)
03. Cough Med: Healthy (Trusted adult)
04. Cigarette: Harmful (Lungs/cough)
05. Pill on Ground: Harmful (Unknown/sick)
06. Teacher Reminder: Healthy (Safety rule)
07. Fruit Snack: Healthy (Energy/vitamins)
08. Tobacco Chew: Harmful (Mouth hurt/sick)
09. Kids' Vitamin: Healthy (Trusted adult/made for kids)
10. Mystery Powder: Harmful (Unknown/danger)
11. Herbal Tea: Healthy (Drink/natural)
12. Unknown Drink: Harmful (Mystery risk)
Assessment Tip
Focus on the Safety Rule (Adult Check) and the Refusal Script . At this age, identifying the person giving the substance is as important as identifying the substance itself. Accept synonyms for harmful (unsafe, bad for me) and healthy (good for me, helpful).
Pre Post Likert Drug Awareness Check In Drug Awareness Check-In
Brain Boss: Pre / Post Survey
Name:
Check One:
Pre
Post
1
Not At All
2
A Little
3
Mostly
4
I Got It!
1
I can name three harmful substances (alcohol, tobacco, unknown drugs).
1
2
3
4
2
I know how harmful substances can affect my body or brain.
1
2
3
4
3
I know I should only take medicine from a trusted adult.
1
2
3
4
4
I feel confident saying “No thanks. I make healthy choices.”
1
2
3
4
5
I know what to do if I find an unknown pill or drink (ask an adult).
1
2
3
4
Brain Boss Unit Assessment • Tier 1 Classroom Support
Refusal Script Performance Rubric Brain Boss Performance Rubric
Refusal Script: "No thanks. I make healthy choices."
Oral Proficiency
Criterion 1 - Needs Help 2 - Almost There 3 - Brain Boss 4 - Exemplary Accuracy of Script Omits words; needs frequent prompting. Recites lines with multiple errors or pauses. Recites both lines correctly with one minor hesitation. Recites both lines clearly and correctly without prompts. Tone & Clarity Voice too soft, mumbled, or not polite. Voice somewhat clear; volume inconsistent. Voice clear and polite; tone mostly firm. Voice consistently clear, polite, firm, and expressive. Body Language Little eye contact; slouches; appears unsure. Some eye contact; posture inconsistent. Maintains eye contact, upright posture; shows confidence. Strong eye contact, confident stance that supports refusal.
Student Observation Log
Student Name
Accuracy
Tone
Body
Notes
Brain Boss Health Rubric • Skill Practice: Refusal Skills
My Healthy Choice Menu Mini Journal My Brain Boss Menu
Healthy Choices Journal
Name:
Date:
Healthy Drink
Healthy Snack
Healthy Play
My Brain Boss Plan
I will choose instead of because
My Voice Check:
"No thanks. I make healthy choices!"
Draw yourself being a Brain Boss:
Safety Hero
Brain Boss Mini-Journal • Choice Menu Exit Ticket
