MSI Teacher Guide
GRADE 4 HEALTH
Medicine Safety Investigators
UNIT: DRUG EDUCATION
MSI DETECTIVE HQ
5E Lesson Plan: Helpful vs. Harmful
Students learn to distinguish medicines from poisons, read over-the-counter labels, and practice critical refusal skills.
Duration: 60 Minutes
Focus: OTC, RX, Safety Rules
Standard: NHES 1, 5, & 8
1. ENGAGE The Mystery Bottle
10 Minutes
Show students two identical, clear plastic spray bottles: one filled with blue Gatorade and one with blue glass cleaner (or show a picture).
Scripted Prompt: "Investigators, looking only at the liquid, can you tell which is safe to drink? Why can't we rely on looks alone?"
Key Takeaway: Looks are deceiving; medicines and poisons can look identical. Never ingest anything without adult verification.
2. EXPLORE Decoding the Drug Facts Label
15 Minutes
Distribute the MSI Evidence File Worksheet. Project the Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug facts slide. Guide students to search for clues on the label to answer investigation questions.
Student Task: Identify Active Ingredients, Uses, Warnings, and Directions on the mock "Kid-Cough" label.
Guiding Question: "Why are the warnings just as important as the directions? What happens if someone takes too much?"
3. EXPLAIN The 4 Golden Rules of Medicine Safety
15 Minutes
Define **Medicine** (substance to help heal/prevent illness) vs. **Poison/Harmful Drug** (damages the body). Teach the difference between OTC and Prescription (Rx) drugs using the slide deck.
Rule 1: Trusted Adults Only
Never take medicine from a friend, sibling, or yourself. Only parents, guardians, doctors, or school nurses.
Rule 2: Never Share Prescriptions
Prescriptions are customized for ONE person by body weight and symptoms. Sharing can act as a poison.
MEDICINE SAFETY INVESTIGATORS © 2026 Page 1 of 2
GRADE 4 HEALTH
Medicine Safety Investigators
UNIT: DRUG EDUCATION
MSI DETECTIVE HQ
4. ELABORATE Refusal Skills & The 3-Step Shield
15 Minutes
Divide students into investigator partner pairs. Distribute the MSI Scenario Action Cards. Teach students **The 3-Step Shield** for dealing with peer pressure:
1 Say NO clearly and firmly (e.g., "No, I only take medicine from my parents.")
2 Give a safe reason or rules (e.g., "That's not safety patrol rules.")
3 Walk away and tell a trusted adult immediately.
Have partners read their selected Scenario Card and roleplay utilizing this specific refusal pattern.
5. EVALUATE Debrief Exit Ticket
5 Minutes
Distribute the MSI Debrief Exit Ticket. Students independently complete the 3-2-1 summary: 3 Golden Rules, 2 Trusted Adults, and 1 specific Refusal Phrase. Use this as formative assessment data.
Differentiation Strategies
- Support: Provide a pre-highlighted OTC Drug Facts label focusing only on "Directions" and "Warnings".
- Extension: Challenge students to write a short "Safety Patrol Manual" page for younger siblings on preventing poisonings.
Anchor Chart Blueprint
HELPFUL VS. HARMFUL CHART
MEDICINES:
POISONS:
• Taken when sick
• Given by trusted adult
• Has correct dosage
• Household cleaners
• Unknown pills/liquids
• Wrong dosage/person
Lesson Assessment Rubric
| Criteria | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Developing |
|---|
| Label Reading | Accurately decodes all parts of OTC & Rx labels without assistance. | Locates critical instructions, active ingredients, and basic warnings. | Struggles to find essential safety directions on labels. |
| Refusal Skills | Roleplays robust, clear refusal following all 3 shield steps perfectly. | Successfully refuses peer pressure and identifies a trusted adult. | Struggles to voice a firm rejection of pressure. |
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