Freeze Think Say No Lesson Guide FREEZE THINK SAY NO
One-Minute Micro-Lesson Guide
Time 1 Min
Why This Matters
This rapid micro-lesson builds students’ awareness of common harmful substances, reinforces their impacts on lungs, brain, and judgment, and empowers 3rd graders with quick refusal skills and healthy choices.
Teacher Prep
Estimated Time: 5 Minutes
Review Spot-the-Harm Visuals slide.
Print Healthy Alternatives Micro-Menu for all students.
Review the 1–5 Confidence Scale descriptors.
Optional: Queue up Fist-to-Five or Likert Pre/Post checks.
Materials List
Spot-the-Harm Visuals
Fist-to-Five Pre Check
3-Item Likert Quiz
Confidence Rubric
Refusal Snap-Drill
Trusted Adult Quick Share
Healthy Alternatives Menu
The One-Minute Routine
1
Spot-the-Harm Check (15s)
Display visuals. Rapidly show images. Students point thumbs down and call out one effect (e.g., “hurts lungs,” “affects brain”).
2
Fast Fact Flash (10s)
Quick delivery: Alcohol and nicotine damage lungs/brain. Misusing medicine/inhalants is dangerous. Tell a trusted adult if unsure.
3
Choral Refusal Chant (15s)
“No thanks, I choose my health.”
Class repeats twice with a confident tone and a thumbs-up gesture.
4
Whisper & Confidence (20s)
Hand out menus. Students whisper one healthy alternative to a partner. Check confidence with 1–5 fingers.
“Great work choosing health!”
Spot the Harm Slides SPOT THE HARM!
🍾
Alcohol
💨
Tobacco / Vape
💊
Misused Medicine
Point thumbs down and name one effect!
Teacher: Show for 15 seconds. Point to each and ask: "What's the harm?"
Fist to Five Pre Check Warm Up TWO-QUESTION PRE CHECK
Fist-to-Five Gauging Tool
Purpose
Quickly gauge students’ prior knowledge about harmful substances and their confidence in refusal skills before starting the micro-lesson.
Scale Instructions
0 = Fist Nothing / Not confident
5 = Palm Open A lot / Very confident
Teacher: Ask These Questions
Question 1
"How much do you currently know about harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco/vaping, and misused medicines?"
Question 2
"How confident do you feel about saying 'No thanks, I choose my health' if someone offers you one?"
Facilitation Notes
Read questions aloud clearly.
Prompt: “On the count of three, show me 0–5.”
Wait a beat for all students to decide.
Scan the room to note general levels.
Use levels to tailor the speed of your lesson.
Transition immediately to the Spot-the-Harm slide.
Likert Pre Post Quiz HEALTH CHECK
Name
Date
Pre / Post Quiz
How to answer:
Read each sentence below. Circle the number that best describes how you feel. There are no wrong answers!
Not at all A little bit Pretty sure Very much Expert level
1
I know how harmful substances like alcohol, tobacco/vaping, and misused medicines can be.
1
2
3
4
5
2
I feel confident saying “No thanks, I choose my health” if someone offers me a harmful substance.
1
2
3
4
5
3
I can name at least one healthy alternative activity and know which trusted adult to tell if I’m unsure.
1
2
3
4
5
Likert Descriptors Rubric CONFIDENCE & AWARENESS
Likert Scale Descriptors 1–5
Use these descriptors to help students self-assess their knowledge and confidence levels. Students can show their rating with 1–5 fingers or write it on a mini-whiteboard during the micro-lesson.
Rating Awareness of Harmful Substances Confidence in Refusal Skills 1 I cannot name any harmful substances or their effects. I would not know what to say if someone offered me a substance. 2 I can name one substance but I’m unsure why it’s harmful. I might say “No thanks” if someone helps me, but I’d feel shy or scared. 3 I can name two substances and one basic effect (e.g., “hurts lungs”). I can say “No thanks, I choose my health” when prompted, but need practice. 4 I can name all three substances and describe at least two effects (lungs, brain, judgment). I feel comfortable refusing with the phrase and a thumbs-up gesture in class. 5 I clearly explain why alcohol, tobacco/vaping, and misused medicines are harmful to lungs, brain, and judgment. I’m very confident refusing, can use the script assertively, and help a friend do the same.
Beginner On My Way Gaining Strength Confident Substance-Free Pro
Refusal Snap Drill Guide REFUSAL SNAP-DRILL
Building Rhythm & Confidence
Total Time 60 Seconds
💪
The Goal
Build students’ confidence and rhythm in saying the refusal statement “No thanks, I choose my health” by snapping fingers in time.
1
Teacher Modeling
10 Seconds
Snap once for each word. Face the class and model the rhythm:
[Snap] No [Snap] thanks [Snap] I [Snap] choose [Snap] my health
2
Echo Drill
15 Seconds
Lead the class. You snap and say a word, they echo immediately with the same snap and word.
3
Full-Phrase Snap
15 Seconds
"Ready? Five snaps and the full phrase."
Rhythm
Snap-Snap-Snap-Snap-Snap
“No thanks, I choose my health.”
4
Partner Lead & Share
20 Seconds
Students turn to a neighbor. Student A leads the snaps and phrase; Student B echoes. Switch roles quickly.
Teacher Closure
"Great job saying ‘No thanks, I choose my health!’ You all snapped into healthy choices!"
Trusted Adult Quick Share Guide TRUSTED ADULT QUICK SHARE
Rapid Discussion Guide
"It is important to know who to talk to if you are ever unsure about a substance or feel unsafe. Let's think of our 'Safety Net' people."
The Procedure
1
Think
3 Seconds
Silently name one trusted adult you can turn to (parent, teacher, coach, or neighbor).
Silent Reflection
2
Whisper & Share
5 Seconds
Turn to your shoulder partner and whisper:
"My trusted adult is ."
3
Confidence Check
2 Seconds
"Show me a thumbs-up if you feel comfortable going to that person for help."
Teacher Closing Script
"Great! Remember, you always have someone you can trust."
Potential Examples for Students
Family Member
Teacher
Coach
Counselor
Healthy Alternatives Micro Menu Worksheet Healthy Alternatives Micro-Menu
Choose health every day with fun, active, and smart choices!
Student Name
1
Pick Your Favorites
Active Choices
Ride a bike
Play tag
Jump rope
Creative Choices
Draw or color
Write a story
Build with blocks
Relaxing Choices
Read a book
Listen to music
Deep breaths
2
My Choice & Why
Activity
Why is this healthy?
3
My Refusal Statement
If someone offers me something harmful, I will say...
“
4
My Trusted Adult
5
Draw Your Healthy Choice!
Stay Healthy • Stay Safe • Say No
