Grade 9, Clarifying Objective:
Summarize preventable risks for preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies, including
induced abortion, smoking, alcohol consumption, the use of illicit drugs, and inadequate
prenatal care.
Materials
Appendix 1, Memory Matching Game
Computer, projector, internet access for Focus Step
PPT, Planning for Health Babies
Appendix 2, Planning for Healthy Babies Guided Note-taking
Appendix 3, Preventable Risk Factors Research conducted by NC Division of Public
Health
Appendix 4, Planning for Healthy Babies Double Puzzle
Appendix 5, Planning for Healthy Babies Double Puzzle Master
Appendix 6, Healthy Baby Fact Sheet Template
Appendix 7, Healthy Baby Fact Sheet Rubric
Review
8.ICR.3.1: Explain the health, legal, financial, and social consequences of adolescent
and unintended pregnancy and the advantages of delaying parenthood.
Divide students into small groups (three or four) as well as a set of cards (Appendix 1)
for each group.
Last year you learned about some of the challenges of adolescent pregnancy and
parenting. Today we will review that information, along with the benefits of delaying
parenthood, by playing a Memory Game. There are a total of 28 cards that must be
matched into pairs. Upon making a match, you must share with your group whether the
issue falls within the health, legal, financial, or social category. If you make a match, you
get a second turn. If you do not make a match, the person to your left will take his or her
turn.
Focus
Share the following with your students (from the March of Dimes):
 In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.
 Worldwide, 13 million babies are born too soon each year.
Go to the link for the March of Dimes website
(http://www.marchofdimes.com/mission/the-economic-and-societal-costs.aspx) and play
either Coming Home (:30) or the Surgeon General PSA (:60).
Ask students how they feel about premature births and what they think can be done to
reduce the likelihood of preterm births in the US.
Statement of Objectives
According to the CDC, Nearly a half million babies in the United States are born
premature each year. Pre-term babies have more health risks than babies who are
carried to term. Today we will discuss the preventable risks for a preterm birth and how
to have healthier babies.
Teacher Input
Distribute the Guided note-taking for the PowerPoint, Planning for Healthy Babies
(Appendix 2). Use the attached Power Point to cover the following sub-objectives:
 Define preterm/premature birth
 Review the possible negative consequences of preterm birth
 List preventable risk behaviors for preterm birth
Notes are includes on the notes section of PPT and there is background information on
the Preventable Risk Factors research conducted by NC Division of Public Health
(Appendix 3).
To process the information, have students utilize Think, Pair, Share. Have students list
2-3 strategies one could employ to reduce the risk of preterm babies. Afterwards, have
students find a partner and share their ideas. Finally, have two pairs partner and review
each suggestion. Allow students to volunteer their ideas to the entire class.
Guided Practice
Distribute the Planning for Healthy Babies Double Puzzle (Appendix 4).
To help you recall what you have learned about preterm births and babies, I want you to
complete the double puzzle. Here are the instructions: Unscramble each of the clue
words then copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number.
Remember that both the clue words and cells are related to healthy babies.
After students have completed the puzzle, use the Master (Appendix 5) to go over
correct answers. Ask for any questions.
Independent Practice
To assess that students have met the sub-objectives listed in the Teacher Input Step,
they will each create a Healthy Baby Fact Sheet for potential/future parents. Using the
template (Appendix 6), have students use their guided note-taking handout (or web
resources listed on the PPT and handout) and fill in the required sections on the Fact
Sheet. Provide the Rubric (Appendix 7) and review it so students understand how their
work will be scored.
Closure
In today’s class we defined preterm or premature birth and discussed some of the
potential consequences. We also reviewed some of the behavioral factors that can be
prevented. Your fact sheets were well done and serve to educate others on how to have
healthy babies.
Memory Matching Game
Premature Birth
Premature Birth
Low Birth Weight
Low Birth Weight
Anemia
Anemia
High Blood Pressure
High Blood Pressure
Age of Consent
Age of Consent
Child Support
Child Support
Child Custody
Child Custody
Diapers
Diapers
Baby Formula and Food
Baby Formula and Food
Medical Care
Medical Care
Drop out of School
Drop out of School
Time with Friends
Time with Friends
Sports and Other Activities
Sports and Other Activities
Unable to attend Prom, Dances,
Graduation
Unable to attend Prom, Dances,
Graduation
Planning for Healthy Babies
Guided Note-taking
Objectives
 Define preterm/premature birth
 Review the possible negative consequences of preterm birth
 List possible preventable risk behaviors for preterm birth
Preterm/Premature Birth
According to the March of Dimes, a preterm or premature baby is one born
before ____ ______________ ______________ ___ ______________.
Potential Problems due to Preterm Birth, Short Term (first few weeks
of life)
1. ____________ problems
2. ____________ problems
3. ____________ problems
4. ____________ control problems
5. ____________ problems
6. ____________ problems
7. ____________ problems
8. ____________ system problems
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Potential Problems due to Preterm Birth
Long Term
____________ ___________ (disorder of movement, muscle tone or
posture)
____________ ___________ ____________, like Learning Disabilities
____________ Problems
____________ Problems
____________ Problems
____________ Problems
____________ Health Issues
Preventable Risks of Preterm Delivery
 Alcohol and __________ __________
 Being _________________or ___________ before getting pregnant
 Smoking
 Poor __________ __________ as well as high __________
__________ ____ __________.
 Certain __________ __________
 Some Types of ________________
 Starting __________ __________ late or not going to prenatal
appointments as recommended.
 Having babies _____ __________ __________.
Possible Preventable Risks of Preterm Delivery
 __________ __________
Think, Pair, Share
1. Think of two or three ways people could reduce their risks for pre-term
births. Write Below.
2. Find a partner, each share your ideas. Add to your list.
3. Each pair partner with another pair, share your ideas. Add to your list.
•
•
•
•
Good Sources of Information on Preterm Babies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
March of Dimes
Mayo Clinic
National Institutes of Health
Planning for Healthy Babies Double Puzzle
Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com
Instructions: Unscramble each of the clue words.
Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number. All are
related to babies and preterm birth.
Planning for Healthy Babies Double Puzzle
Master
IMMUNE SYSTEM
BREATHING PROBLEMS
CEREBRAL PALSY
ALCOHOL
SMOKING
HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
INFECTIONS
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
UNDERWEIGHT OR OVERWEIGHT
PRENATAL CARE
MARCH OF DIMES
TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT PRETERM BABIES.
Healthy Baby Fact Sheet
A preterm or premature baby is
Potential Short Term Problems
Potential Long Term Problems
Tips for Reducing Risk for Preterm Births




See the following agency websites for additional information:
Healthy Baby Fact Sheet Rubric
Student Name:
________________________________________
CATEGORY
Required Elements
3
The fact sheet includes
all required elements.
2
All required elements
are included on the fact
sheet.
1
Some of the required
elements are included
on the fact sheet.
Content - Accuracy
At least 20 accurate
facts are displayed on
the fact sheet.
15 - 19 accurate facts
are displayed on the fact
sheet.
14 or fewer accurate
facts are displayed on
the fact sheet.
Grammar
There are no
There is 1 grammatical
grammatical mistakes on mistake on the fact
the fact sheet.
sheet.
There are 2 or more
grammatical mistakes on
the fact sheet.
Use of Class Time
Used time well during
each class period.
Focused on getting the
project done. Never
distracted others.
Did not use class time to
focus on the project OR
often distracted others.
Used some of the time
well during each class
period. There was some
focus on getting the
project done but
occasionally distracted
others.