LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; evaluate potential reasons for and against strict punishments for vaping.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 2: Analyze the influence of culture, media, and other factors on health behaviors.

CASEL: Social awareness

Lesson Plan: Are Vaping Laws Too Harsh?

There’s no doubt about it—vaping is terrible for you. But what’s the best way to prevent teens from doing it?

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the debate “Are Vaping Laws Too Harsh?” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What are the pros and cons of strict punishments for vaping?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the debate “Are Vaping Laws Too Harsh?” independently; read the debate out loud to them; or have one student read one side of the debate and another student read the other side.
  • After they’ve read the debate, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

In RESEARCH, WRITE, DISCUSS, everyone’s voice will be heard! Use a polling tool of your choice to have students pick the statement they most agree with: “Strict punishments for vaping are harsh and unnecessary” or “Strict punishments for vaping are tough but necessary.” If this vote reveals an even split in the group’s opinions, create two equal groups for the debate.

If not, then divide the class, regardless of opinion, into random groups of four or five. Have each of these groups split into two separate teams, each arguing for one of the above statements. Once groups are finished preparing, have the teams debate one another in the format of your choice. At the end, use the reflection questions to elicit discussion from the class about how research and conversation helped them understand the debate topic better.

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