E-Cigarettes: A Dangerous Trend

Created by: Scholastic and the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Teens now use e-cigarettes more than any other nicotine-containing product. In this lesson, students gain a scientific understanding of the known hazards and potential risks of electronic cigarettes, which contain the same addictive nicotine found in cigarettes. Includes an adapted version for grades 4-6 reading level. 

What's in the Lesson Plan:

  • Student article
  • Student work sheet
  • Vocabulary lists
  • Writing prompts
  • Reading suggestions

Grade Level(s):

6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12 

Student Skills Targeted:

  • Understanding the known hazards and potential risks of e-cigarettes
  • Critical Thinking
  • Science Literacy

Time / Duration:

  • 1 class period

Materials:

  • Printer/copier for student handouts

Alignment with National Standards:

  • Common Core State Standards
  • Next Generation Science Standards Practices
  • National Science Education Standards
  • National Council for the Social Studies

Languages:

  • English

Meets Common Core State Standards:

  • RST.6-8.7 / RST.9-10.7 – Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words
  • W.6-8.1 / W.9-10.1 – Write arguments to support claims, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence

Meets Next Generation Science Standards:

  • Analyzing and Interpreting Data/Engaging in Argument from Evidence/Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

National Science Education Standards:

  • Personal Health
  • Science and technology in society/Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges

National Council for the Social Studies:

  • 8. – Science, Technology, and Society.

Teacher's Guide and Student Worksheet

Student Article