Marijuana's Impact on Education: A 9th Grade Case Study
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Marijuana's Impact on Education: A 9th Grade Case Study

Grade 9Health1 days
In this 9th-grade health project, students explore how marijuana use affects academic performance and future career stability. Through inquiry-based learning, they investigate the key effects of marijuana on students and employees, analyze textual and research-based evidence, and communicate their findings in a comprehensive informative essay. Activities include a simulation, reflective reading, and peer-reviewed writing, supporting learning goals such as understanding the impacts of marijuana and developing skills to guide personal and community decisions.
MarijuanaAcademic PerformanceCareer StabilityHealth EducationInquiry-Based LearningResearch AnalysisCommunity Decisions
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How does marijuana use affect a student's academic performance and future career stability, and how can this understanding influence personal and community decisions about its use?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key effects of marijuana use on a student's academic performance?
  • How does marijuana use influence job performance and reliability in the workplace?
  • What are the potential long-term impacts of marijuana use on an individual's career development and job stability?
  • How can understanding the effects of marijuana on school and job performance guide personal and community decisions regarding its use?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand the effects of marijuana on academic performance and job stability.
  • Students will analyze data and research studies related to marijuana use and its impacts.
  • Students will evaluate how understanding marijuana's effects can guide personal and community decisions.
  • Students will develop skills to communicate complex ideas related to health and substance use.

Health Standards

1b.HS1.6
Primary
Describe the effects of using marijuana products on school performance, job performance, job absenteeism, and job loss.Reason: The project explores the impact of marijuana use on education and employment, which directly addresses the need to describe these effects as per the standard.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1
Supporting
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.Reason: Students will need to research and analyze data to understand the effects of marijuana use, aligning with the requirement to cite evidence and analyze text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2
Supporting
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.Reason: Students will communicate their findings in a written format, requiring them to clearly and accurately convey information and ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4
Supporting
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.Reason: Students will present their case study findings, aligning with the standards for clear and logical presentation of information.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Locker Simulation

As students arrive, they find a mysterious, locked locker in the classroom. Inside, clues reveal the story of a fictional student whose grades have been declining due to marijuana use. Students must investigate by piecing together the clues to understand marijuana's impact on the student's education, leading to discussions on consequences and prevention.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Community Advisor: Informative Essay

Students will compile their research and data in a structured essay that conveys the complexities of marijuana's impact on education and occupations, aiming to inform a community audience.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Instruct students to plan their essay by outlining key sections: introduction, body paragraphs detailing research findings, and a conclusion.
2. Have students integrate textual evidence and data from previous activities to support their points.
3. Guide students in revising their drafts for clarity, coherence, and proper citation of sources.
4. Encourage peer review sessions where students provide feedback to improve each other's essays.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive essay that informatively discusses how marijuana affects academic and job performance.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2 by requiring information organization and analysis and 1b.HS1.6 by thoroughly discussing marijuana's effects.
Activity 2

Impact Investigator: Reading & Reflecting

Students will investigate the academic and job-related effects of marijuana use through guided research and text analysis. This activity lays the foundation for understanding key issues related to marijuana consumption that affect educational and occupational performance.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Assign students articles and texts that describe the effects of marijuana on academic performance and job stability.
2. Instruct students to annotate the texts, focusing on evidence describing specific impacts and consequences of marijuana use.
3. Use graphic organizers to help students categorize effects on education and job performance based on the evidence they find.
4. Have students reflect on the evidence by writing a short paragraph summarizing their initial thoughts on how marijuana impacts students and employees.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAnnotated articles and a reflective paragraph summarizing the initial findings.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with 1b.HS1.6 by addressing effects of marijuana on school/job performance and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1 by requiring students to cite strong textual evidence.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

School vs. Substance: Case Study Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Research and Analysis

Evaluates the ability to gather, interpret, and analyze data regarding marijuana's effects on academic and job performance.
Criterion 1

Data Collection and Evidence

The extent to which the student collects and utilizes strong, relevant evidence to support their analysis.

Exemplary
4 Points

Utilizes a comprehensive collection of strong, relevant evidence that supports a deep and nuanced analysis of marijuana's effects.

Proficient
3 Points

Gathers and uses relevant evidence effectively to support a thorough analysis of marijuana's effects.

Developing
2 Points

Collects some relevant evidence but uses it inconsistently or ineffectively, leading to a limited analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Collects minimal or irrelevant evidence, hindering the analysis of marijuana's effects.

Criterion 2

Textual Analysis

The level of depth and insight in the textual analysis of sources regarding marijuana's effects.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides deep insight and sophisticated analysis of text, demonstrating a thorough understanding of marijuana's impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Offers clear and logical analysis of text, showing a coherent understanding of marijuana's impact.

Developing
2 Points

Supplies basic analysis of text, lacking depth or comprehensive understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays superficial analysis with limited understanding of marijuana's impact.

Category 2

Writing and Communication

Assesses the organization, clarity, and effectiveness of students' written and oral presentations.
Criterion 1

Organization and Clarity

The structure and coherence of the essay or presentation in conveying ideas related to marijuana's effects.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents information in a well-organized, clear, and compelling manner, facilitating comprehensive understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Conveys information effectively in a well-organized and clear format, supporting understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Presents information with some structure, but lacks clarity and coherence in places, hindering understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Organizes information poorly with limited clarity, making understanding difficult.

Criterion 2

Citation and Source Integration

The ability to properly cite sources and integrate information into the text effectively.

Exemplary
4 Points

Seamlessly integrates cited sources into the text, applying proper citation styles consistently and accurately.

Proficient
3 Points

Integrates sources appropriately with mostly accurate citation and minor errors.

Developing
2 Points

Uses sources with some difficulty, often citing inaccurately or integrating awkwardly.

Beginning
1 Points

Rarely integrates or cites sources correctly, leading to frequent errors.

Category 3

Reflection and Collaboration

Examines students' reflective practices and ability to collaborate effectively with peers.
Criterion 1

Reflective Understanding

The depth of reflection about the initial understanding of marijuana's impact and subsequent insights gained.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates profound reflection with detailed insights, showing significant development in understanding.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides thoughtful reflection with some insightful understanding and development.

Developing
2 Points

Supplies basic reflection with limited depth, showing gradual understanding.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays minimal reflection and understanding of new insights.

Criterion 2

Collaboration and Feedback

The ability to work collaboratively and provide constructive feedback to peers.

Exemplary
4 Points

Engages proactively in collaboration, offering valuable feedback and demonstrating leadership within the group.

Proficient
3 Points

Collaborates well and provides useful feedback, contributing positively to group efforts.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in collaboration with some constructive feedback but requires prompts to engage effectively.

Beginning
1 Points

Participates minimally or requires support to engage and provide feedback in a group setting.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of the effects of marijuana on academic and job performance has evolved throughout this project.

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how effectively do you think this project has prepared you to make informed decisions about marijuana use for yourself or others?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Identify a specific insight or piece of data that changed your perspective about marijuana use and explain its significance.

Text
Optional
Question 4

Which component of the project (essay writing, research, reading, or peer reviews) did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome this challenge?

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Essay Writing
Research
Reading
Peer Reviews
Question 5

Based on your research, what advice would you offer a peer who is contemplating marijuana use in terms of its impact on their education and career?

Text
Required