Red Ribbon Week 2022 Lesson Plans

Easy-to-use series of inspirational influencer videos paired with
discussion questions and activities for your classroom. Our curriculum
is designed for 4th – 12th grade students.

Go to your Lesson Plans Now

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most impact this Red Ribbon Week.

How Our Program Works

Our youth drug prevention program is based on current scientific findings on youth
behavior, brain development, and the power of storytelling.

  • Step 1 Watch A Natural High Video
  • Step 2 Discuss Together As A Group
  • Step 3 Go Deeper Through Fun Activities
Learn more about our program

Grades 4-12 Lesson Plans & Video Playlist

Follow along with our suggested sequence, or choose your own adventure.

bryce wettstein's natural high

Bryce Wettstein – Olympic Skateboarder Pro Skateboarder & Singer/Songwriter

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Some suggested questions to ask after you watch the video:

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Question #1:

What sticks out to you about Bryce and the way she talks about her life?

Question #2:

Bryce talks about being unique—what are the top two or three unique qualities people seem to notice about you?

Question #3:

What’s something unique about you that you don’t often reveal to others?

Question #4:

Bryce also shares her perspective on mistakes. Often, people don’t have such a positive outlook on mistakes, though. What goes through your mind after you make a mistake?

Question #5:

Who has shaped your perspective on making mistakes the most?

Question #6:

What would you do more of (or less of) if you shared her perspective on mistakes as learning opportunities to grow from rather than something to avoid?

Question #7:

Bryce seems really comfortable with herself and who she is. What do you think it takes for someone to grow into that kind of self-confidence?

Matt Bellace's talking about dangers of vaping

Matt Bellace, Ph.D The Science of a Natural High

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Some suggested questions to ask after you watch the video:

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Question #1:

How is exercise beneficial physically and emotionally?

Question #2:

What are endorphins and why are they important?

Question #3:

Matt suggests that drugs can mimic anandamide. Why does that matter?

Question #4:

What are the dangers of pursuing a high with a drug?

Question #5:

What is a natural high?

Question #6:

Why does Matt suggest a Natural High is a good thing?

Question #7:

What natural high do you enjoy or would you like to try?

Mike Conley Jr

Mike Conley Jr. – Pro Basketball Player Pro Basketball Player

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Some suggested questions to ask after you watch the video with your son or daughter:

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Question #1:

Who do you want to become?

Question #2:

Have you ever struggled to say, “no”? What might you try differently the next time you find yourself in a situation where you might have trouble resisting peer pressure?

Question #3:

When Mike says, “Hold yourself to a different… a higher level” what does he mean? How do you hold yourself to a higher level? How would you like to?

Question #4:

Mike mentions that he would make excuses when someone would ask him to do drugs. What are some responses you could use if someone were to offer drugs to you?

Question #5:

Mike says that it’s more important to make a name for yourself than to be popular. What do you think he means by making a name for yourself? Do you agree? Why or why not?

bethany hamilton's Natural High

Bethany Hamilton – Pro Surfer Pro Surfer

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Some suggested questions to ask after you watch the video:

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Question #1:

Bethany says that staying drug-free was not a hard choice for her. Is it a hard choice for you? Why or why not?

Question #2:

Bethany lost her arm to a shark attack, which changed her life forever. She discusses how everyone has problems, including school, family and other issues. What are some of your small challenges? How about some of your larger ones?

Question #3:

Describe a small or large challenge you faced recently and how you dealt with it. What are you proud of in your response and what would you change?

Question #4:

Having a natural high helped Bethany stay focused during a difficult time. Do you have a Natural High, a relationship, or a responsibility that helps you to remain focused? What is it, and describe a time it helped you to keep your focus?

Question #5:

Have you ever been disappointed or dissatisfied by your natural high? How can you use Bethany’s story to encourage you to overcome challenges when your natural high seems to disappoint you?

Tony hawk support natural high

Tony Hawk – Pro Skateboarder Pro Skateboarder

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Some suggested questions to ask after you watch the video:

Download PDF
Question #1:

Tony was exposed to drugs at a young age and saw that they could affect performance. He didn’t want to compromise his own skating performance. Is there something you feel you wouldn’t want to compromise?

Question #2:

Tony suggests that it’s hard to say “no” to drugs and alcohol. How do you say, “no”?

Question #3:

Tony describes the feeling of creating his own tricks as a buzz. In what ways are you creative? When do you feel your own “buzz?”

Question #4:

Tony says that a natural high to him is being present and enjoying what you do on a physical and mental level. When have you experienced that feeling of being present and enjoying something on a physical and mental level?

Queen Harrison talked about natural high

Queen Harrison – World Champion Hurdler & Sprinter Olympic Hurdler & Sprinter

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Some suggested questions to ask after you watch the video:

download PDF
Question #1:

How can having goals help you to push through day-to-day problems?

Question #2:

What is a goal you have that you would like to complete by the time you are 18? If you don’t have one, can you think of one?

Question #3:

What have you done to work toward your goal? What can you do to work toward it, to help you stay focused?

Question #4:

Writing down your goals helps you to use them as a guidepost for your actions. Where can you keep your goals written where you can remind yourself of them?

Question #5:

Queen talks about masking pain with drugs. What do you think this means? Do you ever mask your pain? How? What are other ways to handle pain?

Question #6:

Queen suggests that success is “a direct reflection of who you surround yourself with.” Who do you surround yourself with? Do they reflect your success? How?

Question #7:

She adds, “Put your blinders on to those negative people and don’t allow them into your circle.” Do you have to use blinders? Why or why not?

More Resources

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Founder’s Story

Natural High was founded by entrepreneur Jon Sundt, who lost both of his brothers to drug addiction. After the loss, Jon became determined to turn this experience into positive change and made the decision to spend the rest of his life helping young people make better choices. He realized that simply shifting the way we engage youth could dispel the myth around drugs and alcohol. He began traveling to schools with local influencers and a slide projector at his side, hoping that his story could help save even one life.

Today, Natural High reaches young people around the country. What started in tragedy has now grown into a movement bringing hope and positive results to thousands of families. Two decades of youth are now thriving and choosing their Natural High over drugs and alcohol — all through the power of storytelling and positive example.

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