Lesson Plan: The Ad Campaign Challenge

Materials Needed:

• Computer with internet access for research
• Paper, pens, markers, or colored pencils
• Optional: A smartphone or tablet for recording a video
• Optional: Simple video editing app (like iMovie or CapCut)
• Your curiosity and creativity!

Lesson Details

Subject

Health & Media Literacy

Time Allotment

Approximately 90-120 minutes (can be split over two days)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you (Abigail) will be able to:

1. Analyze Influences: Identify and describe at least two common techniques used in advertising to influence choices about substances.
2. Synthesize Information: Research and explain three specific negative health effects related to either alcohol, tobacco, or another drug category.
3. Create & Communicate: Design a persuasive and informative Public Service Announcement (PSA) storyboard or script that encourages healthy decision-making.

Alignment with Health Education Standards

This lesson aligns with national health education standards for middle school, focusing on:

• Standard 2: Analyzing the influence of family, peers, culture, media, and technology on health behaviors.
• Standard 4: Demonstrating the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
• Standard 5: Demonstrating the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.

Lesson Activities & Procedure

Part 1: The Hook - Becoming a Media Detective (15 minutes)

Goal: To understand how messages are designed to persuade us.

1. Watch & Discuss: Together, let's find and watch two different types of ads online:
   • One old advertisement that makes smoking or drinking look cool or glamorous. (Search for things like "vintage cigarette ads" or "old beer commercials").
   • One modern Public Service Announcement (PSA) against vaping, smoking, or drunk driving. (Search for "The Real Cost ads" or "MADD PSAs").
2. Detective Questions: As we watch, let's discuss:
   • Who is the ad trying to reach? (Teens? Adults?)
   • What feeling is the ad trying to sell? (Fun? Popularity? Safety? Fear?)
   • What makes it persuasive? (Cool music? Celebrity? Scary facts? A funny story?)

Part 2: The Research - Becoming the Expert (30-45 minutes)

Goal: To gather accurate information to build a powerful and truthful message for your own ad campaign.

1. Choose Your Focus: You are now the Creative Director of a new health campaign! Your first job is to pick a topic for your PSA. You can choose one of the following:
   • The effects of tobacco and vaping on the lungs and brain.
   • The risks of underage alcohol use for a developing teen.
   • The dangers of misusing prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
2. Fact-Finding Mission: Using reliable sources, your mission is to find the facts. Spend about 30 minutes researching your chosen topic. Look for answers to these questions:
   • What are 3-4 specific short-term or long-term negative effects on the body or mind?
   • Why is this substance particularly risky for a young person's developing brain and body?
   • What is one common myth people believe about this substance?
3. Recommended Safe Sources:
   • NIDA for Teens (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
   • KidsHealth.org
   • CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Vaping, Tobacco, and Alcohol sections

Part 3: The Creation - Launching Your Campaign (45-60 minutes)

Goal: To apply your research and creativity to design a PSA that could genuinely influence a peer.

Now it's time to create! Choose one of the following formats for your PSA. The goal is to be clear, creative, and convincing.

• Option A: The Storyboard Creator

  Create a 6-8 panel storyboard for a 30-second TV commercial. A storyboard is like a comic strip that shows what happens in the ad. For each panel, sketch the scene and write a short description of the action and any dialogue or text that appears on the screen.

• Option B: The Video Director

  Write a script for a 30-60 second video. Include scene descriptions, character dialogue, and any music or sound effect ideas. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even film it using a phone or tablet!

• Option C: The Social Media Influencer

  Design a 3-part Instagram or TikTok campaign. This could be a series of three images or short video ideas. Write out the caption for each post, including the key message and any relevant hashtags you would use to spread the word (e.g., #HealthyChoices, #ThinkBeforeYouVape).

Part 4: The Premiere & Reflection (10 minutes)

Goal: To share your work and reflect on the learning process.

1. Showcase Your Work: Present your storyboard, script, or social media campaign. Explain the creative choices you made and the main message you wanted to send.
2. Let's Talk About It:
   • What was the most surprising fact you learned during your research?
   • Who do you think your PSA would be most effective for?
   • What makes it hard for people your age to make healthy choices about these topics? How can having good information help?

Assessment & Feedback

Your "Ad Campaign" project will be our main assessment. We'll look at it together and talk about these points:

• Clarity of Message: Is the main point of the PSA easy to understand?
• Accuracy of Information: Does the PSA use correct information from your research?
• Creativity and Persuasiveness: Does the PSA grab attention and make a convincing case for making healthy choices?

Differentiation & Inclusivity

This lesson is designed just for you, Abigail! We can adjust it based on your interests. If you love drawing, the storyboard is a great fit. If you enjoy writing or acting, the script is perfect. We can spend more time on research if you have a lot of questions, or jump right into the creative part if you're feeling inspired. The most important thing is that you feel empowered to explore this topic safely and creatively.