Part 5 Classroom Activities
1. Crossword Puzzle
Individual Activity
Purpose:
To provide information about drugs and their effects.
Resources:
Make copies of the crossword puzzle below for each student. You can also customise your own
crossword puzzle online at www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/crossword/
Method:
Get the class to complete the crossword puzzle and run through the answers with them. Teachers
should follow up with questions or discussions on the harmful effects of the various drugs.
Across
Down
1.
2.
3.
11.
12.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Drug also known as 'White'
I feel like throwing up.
Also known as 'Vitamin K', but bad
for your health.
Time to go behind bars.
You can't cool your drink with this.
You would sleep better by staying
away from this.
Don't try this 'coke' even if you are thirsty.
Sticky and smelly. You may die
anytime trying it.
A dangerous dancing partner in the clubs.
Most people do this when they drink
too much.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Seeing something that isn't there at all.
Also known as Subutex, a treatment
gone wrong.
Easily annoyed.
I always count sheeps when I get this.
Panic attack.
Clearly, of an unclear mind.
Why does everything seem so blue?
So tired that I couldn't take one more step.
Sometimes, this is how drug abuse ends.
The grass is definitely greener when you are
not on this.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
1. Crossword Puzzle
Across
Down
1.
2.
3.
11.
12.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Drug also known as 'White'
I feel like throwing up.
Also known as 'Vitamin K', but bad
for your health.
Time to go behind bars.
You can't cool your drink with this.
You would sleep better by staying
away from this.
Don't try this 'coke' even if you are thirsty.
Sticky and smelly. You may die
anytime trying it.
A dangerous dancing partner in the clubs.
Most people do this when they drink
too much.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Seeing something that isn't there at all.
Also known as Subutex, a treatment
gone wrong.
Easily annoyed.
I always count sheeps when I get this.
Panic attack.
Clearly, of an unclear mind.
Why does everything seem so blue?
So tired that I couldn't take one more step.
Sometimes, this is how drug abuse ends.
The grass is definitely greener when you are
not on this.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
2. Jumbled Words
Individual Activity
Purpose:
To provide information about drugs and their effects.
Resources:
Make copies of the activity sheet for each student.
Method:
Get the class to complete the worksheet and run through the answers with them, focusing on
the effects of the various drugs.
For activity sheet, pls get them to list down at least 2 corresponding harmful effects.
1. neorprnbhueip = buprenorphine
Harmful Effects:
Sedation / light-headedness / dizziness / nausea / constipation and vomiting.
2. nniscaab = cannabis
can
n n ab i s
Harmful Effects:
Inability to concentrate / slow reaction / distorted thinking and perception /
poor balance and co-ordination / extreme anxiety, depression, confusion and paranoia
(irrational fear or suspicion) / decline in motivation and drive in long-term users.
3. nceicao = cocaine
e
Harmful Effects:
Increased heart rate / aggressive behaviour / irritability / nausea, shaking,
blurred vision and hallucination.
4. scayets = ecstasy
y
Harmful Effects:
Increased heart rate and blood pressure / jaw clenching, teeth grinding and uncontrollable
shaking / kidney, liver and brain damage / long term memory loss / chills, sweating and
vomiting / inability to think, see and co-ordinate properly / hallucination.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
2. Jumbled Words Answers
5. neihor = heroin
he
e roi n
Harmful Effects:
Lowered heart rate and respiration / damage to lungs, kidneys and liver /
dull feeling and tiredness / difficulty in concentrating / constipation
6. enemakit = ketamine
ketamiine
Harmful Effects:
Inability to move / distorted judgement, perception, hearing, sight, touch, smell and taste /
confusion and hallucination / Nose problems (bleeding nose, cannot smell properly) /
gastric pain / urinary and bladder problems (difficulty in urinating, urinary tract infection).
7. gyilsrdee = lysergide
lyserg
gide
e
Harmful Effects:
Increased heart rate, breathing and body temperature / numbness /
distorted sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste / loss of control of thoughts /
severe panic, paranoia, confusion and hallucination.
8. haeihnpammmtete = m
methamphetamine
etha
a mphetamine
Harmful Effects:
Increased heart rate and body temperature / fits, stroke and death /
damage to heart and nerves / liver and kidney diseases / abnormal behaviours
with mood swings, confusion, delusion and hallucination / anxiety and irritability.
9. mtiaemaznpe = n
nimetazepam
imetazep
pam
Harmful Effects:
Loss of consciousness / distorted judgement, sight and thinking / difficulty in speaking,
moving and co-ordinating bodily functions / poor memory and concentration.
10. silhanant = inhalants
inhalants
Harmful Effects:
Permanent damage to brain, liver and kidneys / prone to bleeding and bruises /
memory loss / difficulty in learning and seeing things clearly / loss of control of body /
cramps, pains and bad cough.
2. Jumbled Words
Part 5 Classroom Activities
Can you unscramble the hidden drugs below and list down its corresponding harmful effects?
1. neorprnbhueip =
Harmful Effects:
2. nniscaab =
Harmful Effects:
3. nceicao =
Harmful Effects:
4. scayets =
Harmful Effects:
5. neihor =
Harmful Effects:
Part 5 Classroom Activities
6. enemakit =
Harmful Effects:
7. gyilsrdee =
Harmful Effects:
8. haeihnpammmtete =
Harmful Effects:
9. mtiaemaznpe =
Harmful Effects:
10. silhanant =
Harmful Effects:
2. Jumbled Words
Part 5 Classroom Activities
3. Flash Cards
Class Activity
Purpose:
To test identification and knowledge about drugs and their effects.
Resources:
Please find your set of flash cards attached behind this sheet.
Method:
Get the class to compete in naming the drugs and/or their effects/withdrawal symptoms.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
4. Essay Writing
Individual Activity
Purpose:
To encourage internalisation of drugs abuse information and promotes good writing skills.
Resources:
- Make copies or copy the suggested essay themes/topics onto whiteboard for classroom use.
- Teachers can leverage on the topics provided in the annual essay writing competition
organised by CNB to conduct the session. Rules and regulations of the competition can be
found online at www.cnb.gov.sg in the 1st quarter of each year.
Primary Level
Method:
Students are to write one of the following essays with not more than 450 words.
Sample topics:
- An essay with the theme – Drug Destroys
- An essay beginning with the following –
- “I/He/She did not realise that the day I/he/she started to abuse drugs, I/he/she would have
to bear with the terrible consequences…”
- Write an essay that includes all of the following words:
addiction
arrested
damage
health
family
regret
hurt
Secondary Level
Method:
Students are to write one of the following essays with not more than 1000 words.
Sample topics:
- An essay with the theme – The Deadly Lure of Drug Abuse
- An essay beginning with one of the following phrases –
a) “And I thought heroin…”
b) “I/He/She lost the
- Drug abuse is an illness. Discuss.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
5. Hangman
Individual Activity
Attempt 1
Attempt 3
(head)
(left arm)
Attempt 4
(right arm)
Attempt 2
Attempt 5
(torso)
(left leg)
Attempt 6
(right leg)
Purpose:
To test drugs identification and spelling.
Resources:
Part 1: General information on Drugs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
buprenorphine
cannabis
cocaine
ecstasy
heroin
6. ketamine
7. lysergide
8. methamphetamine
9. nimetazepam
10. inhalants
Method:
- Don't let drugs be the end of you! Guess the name of the unknown drug letter by letter.
Each wrong attempt adds a body part to the gallows (head, torso, left arm, and so on...)
until the body is complete, and it's game over!
- Split the class into teams and get them to compete in saving the most lives. You can also get
the teams to set questions for each other.
- Symptoms or harmful effects of the various drugs can be used as bonus questions or hints
for this activity.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
6. Drug Names
and Numbers
Class Activity
Purpose:
To sharpen pupils' spelling skills and response time, and to foster co-operation among class
members.
Resources:
Part 1: General information on Drugs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
buprenorphine
cannabis
cocaine
ecstasy
heroin
6. ketamine
7. lysergide
8. methamphetamine
9. nimetazepam
10. inhalants
Method:
The teacher will shout out a word that is related to drugs, e.g. 'ketamine'. The pupils will have
to determine how many letters the word has, and quickly form into random groups matching
that number. In this example, the pupils will have to join up into groups of eight. Anyone
left out of the completed groups will have to do a default by answering a question about that
particular word.
7. Class Poster
Group Activity
Purpose:
To encourage internalisation of drugs abuse information via a hands-on approach, and to
promote good writing skills.
Resources:
Pupils are to source for the relevant resources on their own accord; eg. from the library,
newspapers and magazines, online, through interviews, etc.
Method:
The pupils are divided into small groups. Each group is required to conduct research on
a chosen drug, including its effects and the symptoms of addiction to the drug. They may
research for information through the media, on the internet and at the library. After they
complete their research, the pupils will be required to present their findings which may
include facts, figures and images on mini-posters of A4 size. All the mini-posters will finally
be assembled to form one large poster, which will educate everyone on the nature and
dangers of different kinds of drugs. This large poster should ideally be placed on the class
noticeboard or some other highly visible location within the school.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
8. Word Find
Individual Activity
Purpose:
To sharpen pupils' spelling skills and response time.
Resources:
Make copies of the Word Find sheet for each student.
Method:
Get the class to complete the activity and run through the answers with them. Teachers
should follow up with questions or discussions on the harmful effects of the various drugs.
Drugs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
buprenorphine
cannabis
cocaine
ecstasy
heroin
Symptoms & Penalties
6. ketamine
7. lysergide
8. methamphetamine
9. nimetazepam
10. inhalants
11. nausea
12. anxiety
13. depression
14. vomiting
15. irritable
16. insomnia
17. hallucination
18. fatigue
19. imprisonment
20. death
8. Word Find
Part 5 Classroom Activities
Can you spot all the hidden words in the list? Look across, downwards and diagonally.
The fastest to complete wins this challenge!
Drugs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
buprenorphine
cannabis
cocaine
ecstasy
heroin
Symptoms & Penalties
6. ketamine
7. lysergide
8. methamphetamine
9. nimetazepam
10. inhalants
11. nausea
12. anxiety
13. depression
14. vomiting
15. irritable
16. insomnia
17. hallucination
18. fatigue
19. imprisonment
20. death
Part 5 Classroom Activities
9. Creative Refusal Tips
Group Activity
Purpose:
Saying “No!” from the very beginning is still the best way to stay off drugs. This activity
will provoke the pupils to find different ways to say no, which may be useful when they are
confronting different people and different situations where they may be invited to try drugs.
Resources:
This is a class activity meant to stimulate pupils' imagination and creativity. Teacher is to
encourage every pupil to join in and contribute their ideas.
Method:
Ask each individual pupil to take turns to come up with their own ways to say no whenever
drugs are being offered to them. This is also a good way to nurture their creative thinking
and problem-solving skills.
10. Drug Monster
Class Activity
Purpose:
To encourage
age internalisation of drugs abuse information via a hands-on approach,
app
p ro
roac
ac
c h , and to
promote good
ood writing skills.
Resources:
es:
Pupils are to source for the relevant raw materials on their own accord a
and
n initiative.
nd
Method:
Ask the pupils
pils to collect whatever discarded materials, such as bottles
bottles,
s, can
cans
ans and paper
papers
rs th
that
h at
are readily
y available. Using these materials, they will be required to
o construct
construct their
theii r own
own
version of a fantasy “drug monster”. After completing the monster e
effigy,
fff igy
y, th
they
ey c
can
an
n w
write
rite
notes on drug-related
rug-related topics, such as drug types and their harmful effe
effects,
ectts, and pin th
them
hem
m on
the effigy. The “drug monster” can then be displayed in the classroom tto
o serve as a co
constant
ons
stant
reminder of the dangers drugs pose to them.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
11. Read and Comment,
Analyse, Reflect
Individual Activity
Purpose:
To encourage students to ponder on the bigger picture of the drug problem and its effects
on society.
Resources:
Make copies from 'Articles of Interest' section (Part 6) and distribute to students.
Method:
Get the students to read an article of their own choice from the 'Articles of Interest' section.
After reading the article, the students will be required to pen down their thoughts on its
contents. These could include their personal comments, understanding of the viewpoints or
information presented in the article, or how the article might relate to their own personal
situations.
12. Drama / Play
Class Activity
Purpose:
Dramas or short plays can be interesting
sti
ting
ng w
ways
a s fo
ay
forr st
students
t ud
uden
ents
t to understand the drug abuse
situation better, as well as effective means to
to spread
spre
read
d tthe
he a
ant
anti-drug
ntii-dr
drug
ug message.
Resources:
A good way for them to learn is to allow
low them to manage ev
every
ver
ery
y stage
sttag
a e off the
t he dra
d
drama
rama
ma or play,
from scripting, to casting, costumes, props, sets, makeup and even
n sou
sound
u nd a
and
nd llighting.
ig
g ht
htin
ing.
g. B
By
y
experiencing the complete process, they
ey will have a deeper impression of the rreasons
easons beh
behind
h in
ind
d
their performance and pick up useful skill
skills
ls al
alon
along
ong
g th
the way.
Method:
The extensive nature of this activity allo
allows
lows
ws the
t he students to col
c
collaborate
olla
labo
bora
rate
te a
and
n work on it as a
class, with different groups focusing
g on
n various
var
v
ario
ious
us par
parts
parts
ts of the producti
production.
tion
on. The play can
n be
b
ith iinvited
nviited
nv
ed g
gue
uest
sts
s as
a aud
udie
ienc
nce.
e. IIt is also feasible to hold
staged towards the end of the term, with
guests
audience.
a competition at the inter-class level to
o add
ad
dd interest
intere
rest
st to this activity.
act
ctiv
ivit
ity.
y.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
13. Create a
Facebook Group
Class Activity
Purpose:
Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites in the world, and heavily used
by young people. Facebook groups are widely used to bond individual users who share a
common cause or interest. This makes Facebook a very effective tool to rally young people
and students to stand up against drug abuse.
Resources:
Create a Facebook account and appoint a few students to serve as account administrators.
Method:
Ask the students to form their own Facebook anti-drug groups. Encourage them to explore
various possibilities to educate about drug abuse using the various features and apps
available, including updates, images, contests and bulletins.
14. Conduct an Interview
Group Activity
Purpose:
There is no better way to learn about something than finding out about it from those who
know firsthand. Students will have the opportunity to do just that with the people at the
frontline of the fight against drugs.
Resources:
Interviews to be arranged between students and the professionals who deal with drug-related
cases, such as CNB officers, doctors, rehabilitation officers and counsellors.
Method:
The students will be free to draft their own questions, and should be able to share the
knowledge and insight gained through the interview with their classmates.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
15. Debate
Class Activity
Purpose:
To encourage internalisation of drugs abuse information via a hands-on approach, and to
promote good writing and oratory skills.
Resources:
Students are to source for the relevant information to back up their viewpoint; eg. from the
library, newspapers and magazines, online, through interviews, etc.
Method:
The class is divided into two groups - 'for' and 'against' - for brainstorming, research and
preparation. Actual debate will be by a few representatives from both groups, and the teacher
will serve as moderator.
Sample topics:
-
Should all drugs be controlled?
Harm reduction - more harm than good?
Does scare tactics work for anti-drug programmes?
Drug abuse is a choice.
16. Songwriting
and Performing
Group Activity
Purpose:
Music is always an effective means to reach out to youth. It has even more impact when they
are themselves involved in the process of music making.
Resources:
This is an activity meant to stimulate students' imagination and creativity. Teacher to
encourage every student to join in and contribute their lyric and song ideas.
Method:
Divide the students into small groups. Ask each group to choose any existing tune they like,
from any genre. Based on their chosen tune, they will have to re-write the lyrics so that it
carries an anti-drug message. Finished song lyric will be performed in class.
Part 5 Classroom Activities
17. Role Playing on
Refusing Drugs
Group Activity
Purpose:
Saying "No!" is still the best way to avoid going on the path to drug addiction. To get the
students to know how to say no effectively, divide them into small groups so they can practice
role playing.
Resources:
This is an activity meant to stimulate students' imagination and creativity. Teacher to
encourage every student to join in and contribute their ideas.
Method:
They should first identify various scenarios in which they might be tempted to try drugs.
Based on these scenarios, they should then think up various ways to say no to any such
temptation. They must then act out each scenario, taking turns to play different roles. This
will help further reinforce their resistance to drug abuse.
18. Project Work
Group Activity
Purpose:
To encourage internalisation of drugs abuse information via a hands-on, self-directedlearning approach.
Resources:
This is an activity meant to stimulate students' imagination and creativity. Teacher to
encourage every student to join in and contribute their ideas.
Method:
Students will be given a free hand to decide how they want to spread the anti-drug message.
They can choose any activity or initiative, ranging from providing community service to
leading volunteer drives or events. Whatever form it takes, they should be able to plan and
execute their preferred programmes on their own, making sure that they will eventually
deliver a clear and strong ant-drug message to participants and the public.