Curriculum Resources
Healthy children are more prepared to learn. Quality instruction and programs are a major part of developing a healthy school environment. Elementary and secondary school educators can find credible teaching resources to supplement school curriculum and programs.
Please choose your appropriate grade level to find the list of available teaching resources below.
Primary (K-3)
Junior (4-6)
Intermediate (7-8)
Intermediate/Senior (9-12)
For questions or more support, please contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext 9010 or by email at healthyschools@mlhu.on.ca
Primary (Kindergarten-Grade 3)
Food and Nutrition
Before You Begin:
The Middlesex-London Health Unit encourages a food neutral approach when teaching and talking about food. Food neutrality aims to remove labels, shame, judgement, and stigma from foods and the people eating them. Learn more about food neutrality by reviewing the Educator Guide and Educator Presentation.
- BrightBites.ca | disponible en français: Evidence-based resources and information for educators for grades K-8 about food, eating, and bodies, including tips to teach Nutrition in a Positive Way.
- Canada’s Food Guide Toolkit for Educators | disponible en français: Lesson plans and activities to support educators teaching about Canada's Food Guide from K-8.
Human Development and Hygiene
- The Handwashing Activity Booklet (PDF) | français
Resources and classroom activities from K-4 Students about hand hygiene.
Mental Health
- Wayfinder (School Mental Health Ontario) | disponible en françai: Grade-By-Grade Guide to Teach About Mental Health.
Oral Health
- Oral Health Resources and Activities for Elementary Students (PDF) | française
Resources and classroom activities for K-4 students about oral health.
Junior (Grades 4-6)
Food and Nutrition
Before You Begin:
The Middlesex-London Health Unit encourages a food neutral approach when teaching and talking about food. Food neutrality aims to remove labels, shame, judgement, and stigma from foods and the people eating them. Learn more about food neutrality by reviewing the Educator Guide and Educator Presentation.
- BrightBites.ca | disponible en français: Evidence-based resources and information for educators for grades K-8 about food, eating, and bodies, including tips to teach Nutrition in a Positive Way.
- Canada’s Food Guide Toolkit for Educators | disponible en français: Lesson plans and activities to support educators teaching about Canada's Food Guide from K-8.
- Food is Science | disponible en français: resources to support the grades 3-9 Food Literacy, Science and Technology curriculum expectations.
- Teach Nutrition - Guided Discovery of Canada’s Food Guide | disponible en français
Series of digital lesson plans that will guide students in grades 4-6 in learning about Canada’s Food Guide and facilitate a deeper understanding of concepts within the guide. - Let’s Get Cookin’| disponible en français
Train the trainer food literacy program for grades 5 and up.
Human Development and Sexual Health
Before you Begin:
TeachingSexualHealth.ca offers practical tools and guidance to help you confidently teach human development and sexual health. From setting a respectful classroom tone to using inclusive language, reflecting on your values, and answering student questions—this resource supports you every step of the way.
Puberty:
- Hygiene Throughout Puberty Presentation - grade 4 (PPT) | française
- Physical and Emotional Changes During Puberty Presentation - grade 4 (PPT) | française
- Puberty and Reproduction Presentation - grade 5 (PPT) | française
- Menstruation and Self Care - grade 5 (PPT) | française
- Trivia Activities and Puberty Q&A - grade 4-6 (PDF) | française
Mental Health
- Wayfinder (School Mental Health Ontario) | disponible en français: Grade-By-Grade Guide to Teach About Mental Health.
Oral Health
- Oral Health Resources and Activities for Elementary Students (PDF) | française
Resources and classroom activities for K-4 students about oral health.
Substance Use
Before You Begin:
The Understanding Substance Use: Educator Guide from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction supports educators of grades 6–12 with tools and video modules to build knowledge and confidence for teaching and discussing substance use, stigma, cannabis, vaping, alcohol, and impaired driving.
Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans:
- Get the Facts (Health Canada) | disponible en français: Online presentation for students with important information about the impacts and risks associated with alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and vaping products and strategies for handling peer pressure. Grades 4-6
Alcohol:
- Factors of Intoxication (Ophea) | disponible en français: This resource helps students understand the factors that influence how alcohol affects the body (login required). Grade 5
- Kids, Alcohol and Advertising (Media Smarts) | disponible en français: This resource explores how alcohol advertising targets youth and shapes their attitudes toward drinking. Grades 4-8
Cannabis:
- Cannabis Elementary Action Plans (Ophea) | disponible en français: These activity plans have been designed to support educators in providing students with inquiry-based activities to address the topic of cannabis within the Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours curriculum expectations. Grades 5-8
Vaping:
- Vaping Conversation Starter Videos (Ophea) | disponible en français: These Conversation Starter Videos are designed to initiate conversations about vaping with elementary students in grade 4-8.
Refusal Skills:
- Popcorn Pressure Game - (français): This activity allows students to practice refusal skills and manage peer pressure in a controlled environment. Grades 4-8
- Social Influence Scenarios - (français): This classroom activity can be used to enhance substance use curriculum content through the use scenarios and strategies for navigating social pressures. Grades 4-8
Additional Online Resources:
Alcohol and Other Drugs (Middlesex-London Health Unit): Provides local information, resources, and strategies for preventing and reducing harm from alcohol and drug use
Substance Use (Health Canada): Provides information on tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs, including substance use, stigma, support, and the Canadian drugs and substances strategy
Ontario Student Drug Use and Mental Health Survey (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health): Student health survey reporting trends in substance use, mental health, and risk behaviours among Ontario youth.
Drug Free Kids Canada: Equips parents and caregivers with tools, information, and support to prevent drug use and open conversations with their children.
Intermediate (Grades 7-8)
Food and Nutrition
Before You Begin:
The Middlesex-London Health Unit encourages a food neutral approach when teaching and talking about food. Food neutrality aims to remove labels, shame, judgement, and stigma from foods and the people eating them. Learn more about food neutrality by reviewing the Educator Guide and Educator Presentation.
- BrightBites.ca | disponible en français: Evidence-based resources and information for educators for grades K-8 about food, eating, and bodies, including tips to teach Nutrition in a Positive Way.
- Food is Science | disponible en français: resources to support the grades 3-9 Food Literacy, Science and Technology curriculum expectations.
- Teach Nutrition - Guided Discovery of Canada’s Food Guide | disponible en français
Series of digital lesson plans that will guide students in grade 7-9 in learning about Canada’s Food Guide and facilitate a deeper understanding of concepts within the guide. - Let’s Get Cookin’| disponible en français
Train the trainer food literacy program for grades 5 and up.
Human Development and Sexual Health
Before you Begin:
TeachingSexualHealth.ca offers practical tools and guidance to help you confidently teach human development and sexual health. From setting a respectful classroom tone to using inclusive language, reflecting on your values, and answering student questions—this resource supports you every step of the way.
Birth Control/Contraception:
- Decisions about Sexual Activity: Contraception Presentation -grade 8 (PPT) | française
- Birth Control Match-Up Activity - grade 8 (PDF) | française
- Birth Control Inquiry Activity - grade 8 - 12 (PDF) | française and Worksheet (PDF) | française
- Trivia Activities and Birth Control Q&A - grade 8 (PDF) | française
Sexually Transmitted Infections:
- STI PowerPoint Presentation - grade 7-8 (PPT) | française
- STI Transmission and Symptoms Activity - grade 7-8 (PDF) | française
- STI Inquiry Activity - grade 7-8 (PDF) | française and Worksheet (PDF) | française
- Trivia Activities and STI Q&A - grade 7-8 (PDF) | française
Mental Health
- Wayfinder (School Mental Health Ontario) | disponible en français: Grade-By-Grade Guide to Teach About Mental Health.
Substance Use
Before You Begin:
The Understanding Substance Use: Educator Guide from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction supports educators of grades 6–12 with tools and video modules to build knowledge and confidence for teaching and discussing substance use, stigma, cannabis, vaping, alcohol, and impaired driving.
Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans:
- Cannabis Elementary Action Plans (Ophea) | disponible en français: These activity plans have been designed to support educators in providing students with inquiry-based activities to address the topic of cannabis within the Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours curriculum expectations. Grades 5-8
- Pursue Your Passion Cannabis Education Lesson (Health Canada) |available in French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut: A comprehensive resource including a teacher’s guide, slides, an interactive 360° Brain tool, and activities to teach students about the potential effects of cannabis use on their brain and mental health. Grades 7-11
- Not an Experiment (Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit)| disponible en français: Easy-to-use lesson plans, resources, and downloadable materials to support educators in preventing harms from vaping. Grades 7-8
- Factors That Influence Personal Choices About Vaping (Ophea)| disponible en français: This video is designed to be used in the classroom to initiate conversations about vaping with intermediate students. Grades 7-8
- CATCH My Breath. Subscription-based vaping prevention program. Members of the Thames Valley District School Board can access the CATCH My Breath curriculum for free by following the instructions provided on the flyer. Grades 6-9
-
Kids Alcohol and Advertising (Media Smarts) | disponible en français: This resource explores how alcohol advertising targets youth and shapes their attitudes toward drinking. Grades 4-8
Refusal Skills:
- Popcorn Pressure Game - (français): This activity allows students to practice refusal skills and manage peer pressure in a controlled environment. Grades 4-8
- Social Influence Scenarios - (français): This classroom activity can be used to enhance substance use curriculum content through the use scenarios and strategies for navigating social pressures. Grades 4-8
Additional Online Resources:
Alcohol and Other Drugs (Middlesex-London Health Unit): Provides local information, resources, and strategies for preventing and reducing harm from alcohol and drug use
Substance Use (Health Canada): Provides information on tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs, including substance use, stigma, support, and the Canadian drugs and substances strategy
Ontario Student Drug Use and Mental Health Survey (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health): Student health survey reporting trends in substance use, mental health, and risk behaviours among Ontario youth.
Drug Free Kids Canada: Equips parents and caregivers with tools, information, and support to prevent drug use and open conversations with their children.
Immunization
- Grade 7 Immunization Presentation (PPT) | français voice-over presentation for students about grade 7 immunization clinics.
Intermediate/Senior (Grades 9-12)
Food and Nutrition
Before You Begin:
The Middlesex-London Health Unit encourages a food neutral approach when teaching and talking about food. Food neutrality aims to remove labels, shame, judgement, and stigma from foods and the people eating them. Learn more about food neutrality by reviewing the Educator Guide and Educator Presentation.
- Food is Science | disponible en français: resources to support the grades 3-9 Food Literacy, Science and Technology curriculum expectations
- Teach Nutrition – Guided Discovery of Canada’s Food Guide| disponible en français: Grades 7-9
Series of digital lesson plans that will guide students in learning about Canada’s Food Guide and facilitate a deeper understanding of concepts within the guide.
Health and Wellness SHSM - Infection Control Teacher Package
The following resources support Infection Control training for students acquiring the Health and Wellness SHSM.
Don't Pass it Along Activity
- Instructions (PDF)
- Activity Cards (PDF)
- Infection Control Quiz (PDF)
- Infection Control Quiz-Answer Sheet (PDF)
- Infection Control Certificate (PDF)
Human Development and Sexual Health
Before you Begin:
TeachingSexualHealth.ca offers practical tools and guidance to help you confidently teach human development and sexual health. From setting a respectful classroom tone to using inclusive language, reflecting on your values, and answering student questions—this resource supports you every step of the way.
Birth Control/Contraception:
- Birth Control Methods - Contraception (grades 9-12) (PPT)
- Birth Control Inquiry Activity - grade 8 - 12 (PDF) | française and Worksheet (PDF) | française
- Birth Control Online Trivia Game (grades 9-12) (PPT)
- Birth Control and STI Online Trivia Game (grades 9-12) (PPT)
- Birth Control and Emergency Contraceptives Online Quiz (grades 9-12) (PDF)
Sexually Transmitted Infections:
- STI Presentation (grades 7-12) (PPT) | français (PPT)
- STI Inquiry Activity (grades 7-12) (PDF)| français Worksheet (PDF) | français
- Don't Pass It Along STI Game (grades 7-12) (PDF): Cards (PDF)
- STI Online Trivia Game (grades 9-12) (PPT)
- STI Online Quiz (grades 9-12) (PDF)
Relationships:
- Healthy Relationships and Consent (grades 9-12) (PPT)
- Levels of Intimacy Exercise (grades 9-12) (PDF) Game PPT Cards (PPT)
- Teen Mating Game-Instructions (grades 9-12) (PDF): Discussion Cards (PDF), Personality Cards (PDF) and Situation Cards (PDF)
Mental Health
- Wayfinder (School Mental Health Ontario) | disponible en françai: Grade-By-Grade Guide to Teach About Mental Health.
Substance Use
Before You Begin:
The Understanding Substance Use: Educator Guide from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction supports educators of grades 6–12 with tools and video modules to build knowledge and confidence for teaching and discussing substance use, stigma, cannabis, vaping, alcohol, and impaired driving.
Classroom Activities and Lessons:
-
Cannabis Activity Plans for Secondary Students (Ophea)| disponible en français: These activity plans have been designed to support educators in providing students with inquiry-based activities to address the topic of cannabis with the Substance Use, Addictions and Related Behaviours curriculum expectations. Grades 9-12
-
Pursue Your Passion Cannabis Education Lesson (Health Canada) | available in French, Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut: A comprehensive resource including a teacher’s guide, slides, an interactive 360° Brain tool, and activities to teach students about the potential effects of cannabis use on their brain and mental health. Grades 7-11
-
Not an Experiment (Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit) | disponible en français: Easy-to-use lesson plans, resources, and downloadable materials to support educators in preventing harms from vaping. Grades 9-12
-
CATCH My Breath. Subscription-based vaping prevention program. Members of the Thames Valley District School Board can access the CATCH My Breath curriculum for free by following the instructions provided on the flyer. Grades 6-9
Additional Online Resources:
Alcohol and Other Drugs (Middlesex-London Health Unit): Provides local information, resources, and strategies for preventing and reducing harm from alcohol and drug use
Substance Use (Health Canada): Provides information on tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs, including substance use, stigma, support, and the Canadian drugs and substances strategy
Ontario Student Drug Use and Mental Health Survey (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health): Student health survey reporting trends in substance use, mental health, and risk behaviours among Ontario youth.
Drug Free Kids Canada: Equips parents and caregivers with tools, information, and support to prevent drug use and open conversations with their children.
Last modified on: September 4, 2025