Mind Over Matter - Teacher's Guide

Introduction

This is the teacher's guide for the "Mind Over Matter" series. This exciting neuroscience education series, developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, is designed to encourage youngsters in grades 5-9 to learn about the biological effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain.

There is a printable version of the Mind Over Matter: Teacher's Guide is available in PDF format for viewing and/or printing. The PDF version is recommended for printing and distribution. Printing from the PDF file will result in the highest quality output.

The "Mind Over Matter" series includes eight colorful, glossy magazines, each of which is devoted to a specific drug or drug group; including stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, opiates, nicotine, Methamphetamine, and steroids. Each of the magazines describes the effects of specific drugs or drug types on the anatomy and physiology of the brain and the body. These educational materials further elaborate on the way in which these drug-induced changes affect both behaviors and emotions.

The background information and lesson plans contained in this guide, when used in combination with the magazines in the series, will promote an understanding of the physical reality of drug use, as well as curiosity about neuroscience. The guide suggests a brain anatomy educational activity that can be used throughout the curriculum (see page 43), as well as additional activities for each of the six drug topics. Of course, you are encouraged to develop your own relevant lesson plans.

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