Curriculum Outcome Links: English, Health and Physical Education

Behind the News 2008

BINGE DRINKING

Curriculum Outcome Links: English, Health and Physical Education

Report writing DATE 18/3/08

Behind the News 2008

Student learning outcomes

Students will:

· Develop an understanding of what binge drinking is and the risks associated with it.

· Develop a report about binge drinking.

Focus Discussion

1. Why do you think people drink alcohol?

2. What is binge drinking?

3. Why are some young people binge drinking?

4. Apart from the health risks, what are some of the dangers associated with binge drinking?

5. What is peer pressure and how does it relate to binge drinking?

6. What is the Government doing about binge drinking?

7. How is the money going to be used to reduce binge drinking?

8. Do you think this will reduce the amount of young people binge drinking? Why or why not?

9. What are some other ideas being put forward by people to reduce binge drinking?

10. How do you think the problem could be solved?

Reporting the facts about Binge Drinking

Identify what students know

Brainstorm key words and issues associated with binge drinking and record students’ comments using a concept map. This is a useful way of connecting ideas and identifying headings for their report. Students may need to research the issue in more detail. There are some web links at the end of this activity sheet.

Develop a glossary

Technical or scientific language is often used in reports. Ask students to develop a glossary of special language that they will need to write their report.

Structure of a report

Introduction

The opening statement explains the subject of the report, and includes a definition or short description. Students need to define what binge drinking is in the introduction.

Description

The body of the report is a series of paragraphs giving information about the subject. Each paragraph describes a particular fact about the subject. For example the long and short term effects on the body, other dangers associated with binge drinking, what the Government is planning to do to reduce binge drinking and so on. The paragraph should begin with a topic sentence and is followed by facts that support it.

Conclusion

A summary of what has been said.

Language features

Reports are usually written in the third person.

Present tense is often used.

A formal, factual style is used.

Suggested ways to publish their report include:

· Powerpoint presentation

· Web page

· Oral presentation.

Follow-up Suggestions
Knowing
Make a true or false quiz. Write ten true or false questions about binge drinking. Ask a friend to do the quiz.
Understanding
Find out more about the affect of alcohol on the body. Play the `You make me sick’ game at the following website http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/static/games/you_make_me_sick/index.stm
Applying
Have a class discussion about why young people are binge drinking and some solutions to the problem.
Analysing
Analyse the marketing and advertising of alcohol to young people. The following website has some useful information (for teachers) http://www.playnowactnow.net.au/pdf/Fact_sheet_MarketingAlcohol.pdf
Creating
Create a poster or web page advertising the risks and dangers associated with binge drinking.
Evaluating
Have a class debate about whether the legal age for drinking alcohol should be raised to 21.

8 Related Research Links

http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/article.asp?ContentID=the_facts_about_binge_drinking

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2007/s2185412.htm

http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=122

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/03/2178171.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s2172584.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2185516.htm

http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=2113

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk/newsid_3663000/3663833.stm

http://www.think-b4u-drink.com/

Behind the News 2008