Curriculum Support and Resources

August 28, 2020 - Please note that the School Health team has been deployed and a COVID-19 School Support Team has been put in place to support schools. Visit our OttawaPublicHealth.ca/SchoolsCOVID19 page for more information.

Please note that we are unable to book presentations or resources at this time. Connect with your school's public health nurse for more information.

Mental Health and Substance Use COVID-19 Lesson Plans

This school year is different from any other. With the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators have many things to consider when it comes to teaching their students. Amongst all the changes we have been facing, it is important to work with students on the topic of mental health. This includes working on topics such as positive coping strategies, building and maintaining resilience, and how and where to access support.

Ottawa Public Health has developed a series of lesson plans from JK to Grade 12 to support discussion and learning on mental health. These lesson plans have been developed using existing, evidence-based mental health resources from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa Public Health, and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. The lesson plans also provide options for educators to consider the COVID-19 public health requirements.

Girl wearing a mask and sitting at a desk

Mental Health and Substance Use COVID-19 Lesson Plans

Active Living / Injury Prevention

Dental Health

Growth & Development / Sexual Health

Photo of lunch container, including apple, cherry tomatoes, green grapes and half-sandwich on whole wheat bread

Healthy Eating

Photo of a person washing their hands with soap in the sink

Hygiene

Mental Health

Photo of two children lying on the floor, playing on a phone and a tablet

Screen Time / Internet Safety

Photo someone's face covered up in vaping vapour

Substances

Mental Health and Substance Use COVID-19 Lesson Plans

For more information, visit Supporting schools during COVID-19

School Mental Health Ontario - Practical resources to support student mental health during COVID-19: School Mental Health Action Kit

JK to Grade 3

MindMasters 2

MindMasters2 is a mental health promotion resource that helps children to master emotional regulation through relaxation, positive thinking and mindfulness.

It introduces children to these skills in fun and age-appropriate ways. With practice, children can use these skills on their own, in a variety of settings throughout their lifetime.

MindMasters 2 was developed by the Child and Youth Health Network for Eastern Ontario and the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. It is now a program of Ottawa Public Health. It is designed for adults (both parents and professionals) to use with children ages 4-9 years.

JK to Grade 3 Lesson Plan
Lesson Plan	Description
Animal Yoga	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: Children learn how to move their bodies, practice muscle relaxation and focus through fun and simple yoga poses. Skills Taught: Relaxation and Stress Control; Mindfulness Animal Yoga [PDF 126 KB]
Changing Channels	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages children to think about the emotion they are feeling and then use imagery to determine how best to express this emotion. Skills Taught: Relaxation and Stress Control; Positive Thinking and Imagery Changing Channels [PDF 157 KB]
Friendship Chain	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity helps children to notice positive qualities in themselves and others and think about what’s important in friendship. Skills Taught: Positive Thinking and Imagery Friendship Chain [PDF 185 KB]
Great Little Listener	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: Children practice their listening skills by identifying different animal sounds. Paying close attention to what we hear is one way to practice mindfulness. Skills Taught: Mindfulness Great Little Listener [PDF 124 KB]
I Am	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: Children name their strengths and similarities with our friends in the animal kingdom! Skills Taught: Positive Thinking and Imagery I Am [PDF 168 KB]
Mindful Movements	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity helps children to be mindful of their surroundings and focus on the present moment. Skills Taught: Mindfulness Mindful Movements [PDF 170 KB]
My Special Place	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity teaches children how to relax by imagining a calm and safe place. Skills Taught: Relaxation and Stress Control; Positive Thinking and Imagery My Special Place [PDF 175 KB]
Treasure Hunting	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity teaches children how to look for and appreciate the positive in life, referred to as “highlights”. Skills Taught: Positive Thinking and Imagery Treasure Hunting [PDF 191 KB]

Grade 4 to 8

Healthy Transitions Session 1: Thoughts, Feelings, Actions

The program was developed by the Child and Youth Health Network for Eastern Ontario and facilitated through the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). During the program, students will learn about bouncing back from setbacks, talking to parents, friends and teachers, coping/handling feelings, worries and stress and how and where to get help if needed. The Healthy Transitions program is designed to be used during class time and meets expectations from The Ontario Curriculum.

Healthy Transitions: Session 1
Lesson Plan	Description
Bound-Rebound	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity teaches children to appreciate the interrelatedness of thoughts, feelings and actions. It also helps teach them that changing the way we think about things can change the way we feel and act. Skills Taught: Positive Thinking; Mindfulness Bound-Rebound [PDF 178KB]
Positive Self-talk	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity teaches children to appreciate that we have some control over our feelings and reactions to stress and anxiety. They will learn a process for changing negative self-talk. Skills Taught: Positive self-talk Positive Self-talk [PDF 234 KB]

Healthy Transitions Session 2: Coping with Feelings and Stress

Healthy Transitions: Session 2
Lesson Plan	Description
Stress Backpack	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity allows children to talk about stress and helps them recognize that there are many different causes of stress and that it can affect everyone differently. It also allows them to appreciate that sometimes, we need help from others when our stress becomes too difficult to handle by ourselves. Skills Taught: Stress Control; Asking for help Stress Backpack [PDF 212 KB]
Coping Strategies	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity teaches students to appreciate the value of handling stress and strong feelings in a positive way. They will also be able to recognize positive, negative and neutral/time out coping strategies. Skills Taught: Understanding coping strategies and which coping strategies are positive Coping Strategies [PDF 217 KB]
Gratitude Flower	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity teaches children to think of things, people, or events for which they are grateful. They will then be able to refer to their gratitude flower as a coping strategy when dealing with difficult situations. Skills Taught: Coping strategies Gratitude Flower [PDF 132 KB]

Grade 9 to 12

have THAT talk: How to Talk About Your Mental Health

Why talk about your mental health?

Did you know that 42% of Canadians were not sure if they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness?
We also know that the sooner someone gets help, the better their outcome.
If someone can talk or get support to talk about their mental health, the sooner they can startgetting better.

How to Talk About Your Mental Health
Lesson Plan	Description
Getting Started	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages children and youth to learn how to talk to someone about their mental health and what to say if someone talks to them about their mental health. Skills Taught: Emotional Intelligence Getting Started [PDF 216 KB]
Knowing Your Community Resources	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages youth to learn about mental health resources and services in Ottawa. Skills Taught: Help seeking behaviours Knowing Your Community Resources [PDF 244 KB]

have THAT talk: Reducing Stigma

Stigma is set of negative beliefs or prejudice about someone who we think is different than us3. Many

people face stigma because of their race, their religion, sexuality, economic situation and a variety of
other things.

Stigma prevents people from reaching out and getting help.
People who live with mental illnesses deal with stigma and may be treated differently because of negative attitudes in our society

Reducing Stigma
Lesson Plan	Description
How Does Stigma Affect Us All?	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages children and youth to understand stigma and how it affects us. Skills Taught: Empathy How Does Stigma Affect Us All? [PDF 234 KB]
Discoveries	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages children and youth to learn ways to reduce stigma and to support those living with a mental illness. Skills Taught: Emotional Intelligence, stigma reduction and supporting those with mental illness Discoveries [PDF 214 KB]
Agree or Disagree?	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages youth to learn about and correct common myths about mental illnesses. Skills Taught: Understanding misconceptions about mental illnesses Agree or Disagree? [PDF 215 KB]

have THAT talk: Building Resilience

Everyone experiences stress or challenges as part of life. Resilience is being able to work through
life’s difficulties, thrive and reach your full potential. It is about accepting that life is not always perfect
but finding ways to deal with and work through your challenges and recover afterwards.

Building Resilience
Lesson Plan	Description
Reacting to Problems	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity helps youth to understand how negative and positive thoughts affect them (SELF-TALK), how positive thoughts help them to become more resilient and to understand that thoughts, feeling and actions are interconnected. Skills Taught: Resilience, Positive Thinking and Self-talk Reacting to Problems [PDf 219 KB]
How Resilient am I?	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity helps youth to understand more about how resilient they are. Skills Taught: Resilience How Resilient am I? [PDF 202 KB]
Make a Resilience Action Plan	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity helps youth to plan ways for to increase their resilience. Skills Taught: Resilience Make a Resilience Action Plan [PDF 215 KB]

have THAT talk: Building Social Connections

Social connections are the relationships we have with the people around us. The relationships we
have at school, work, in leisure and at home affect our physical and mental health. Good social
connections help build our resilience, improve our physical and mental health and help us cope with
the stresses of life.

Building Social Connections
Lesson Plan	Description
Who Are Your Connections?	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages youth to identify the people in their life who can support them and to discover ways to improve the connections they have. Skills Taught: Help seeking behaviours Who Are Your Connections [PDF 216 KB]
Reach Out to Make Connections	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity encourages youth to discover ways to strengthen their existing connections or make new connections. Skills Taught: Building Relationships, Help Seeking Behaviours Reach Out to Make Connections [PDF 218 KB]

Substance Use

Substance Use
Lesson Plan	Description
Let's Talk About Drugs - Youth Connections Ottawa	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity allows youth to better understand the consequences of substance use. Skills Taught: Critical thinking Let's Talk About Drugs [PDF 199 KB]
Helpful Refusal Skills - Youth Connections Ottawa	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity supports youth with possible language they can use when they are offered drugs. Skills Taught: Critical thinking, Language to refuse drugs when offered Helpful Refusal Skills [PDF 200 KB]
Common Myths About Vaping	This Lesson plan include teaching considerations, resources, and special considerations for COVID-19. Learning Outcome: This activity supports youth to consider myths about vaping and to understand the actual risks associated with vaping. Skills Taught: Critical thinking Common Myths About Vaping [PDF 197 KB]

YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA): Live Virtual Workshops

YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshops
Lesson Plan	Description
YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshop: How 2 Help a Friend	Learning Outcome: This workshop helps youth to understand the importance of help-seeking as well as offering support in caring, non-judgmental ways to friends and loved ones. It encourages youth to recognize and set healthy boundaries, prioritizing safety and developing strong support networks among youth and their trusted adult allies. Skills Taught: Mental Health Literacy, Positive Peer Support Skills, Help-Seeking/Offering Behaviours YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshop: How 2 Help a Friend [PDF 377 KB]
YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshop: StressLESS	Learning Outcome: This workshop helps youth to effectively understand stress and its effects, to identify and apply appropriate coping strategies for different kinds of stressors. It further encourages them to practice new, positive coping skills while connecting them with additional resources to manage stress. Skills Taught: Mental Health Literacy, Stress Management, Awareness of Resources and Coping Tools YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshop: StressLESS [PDF 376 KB]
YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshop: Wellness 101	Learning Outcome: This workshop helps youth to develop an understanding of fundamental concepts related to mental health (e.g., the mind-body connection, factors that impact mental and physical health, the effects of stigma, etc.,), to learn about maintaining their own mental health, and encourages youth to break down barriers to utilizing mental health resources. Skills Taught: Mental Health Literacy, Basic Wellness Habits, Help-Seeking Behaviours YouthNet/RéseauAdo (YNRA) – Live Virtual Workshop: Wellness 101 [PDF 378 KB]

Active Living / Injury Prevention

Resources - Active Living / Injury Prevention

Resource name and target audience	Resource description	Picture of resource
Active Living
Phyz Mascot For kindergarten to Grade 12 school events	Phyz is the physical activity mascot. He comes with a green Active Ottawa Actif t-shirt and a blue Ottawa Public Health vest. Optional gear includes a black helmet and skates. A Public Health Nurse must accompany this resource.
Jump Ropes All grades	Skipping can be a positive way to enrich a student’s ability to develop strength, coordination and stamina. Kit comes with 15 long and 15 short ropes as well as a description on how to do simple skipping games.
Physical Activity Dice Game All grades	Kids love these super-sized, soft activity dice. One die is labelled with numbers, the other with simple activities like touch your toes, or do a push up. The children throw both dice in the air and complete the number and type of activity dictated by the dice.
Rubber chickens All grades	Great physical activity tool to use in a variety of games or in class teaching aid/prop. Comes with an outline on various rubber chicken games.
Parachute Grades JK-6	This parachute encourages cooperative play while building upper-body strength and helps in create perceptual and cognitive skills. Sizes available: 12 ft, 20 ft, 30 ft.
Tug-O-War Grades 1 to 12	This 4-way Tug-o-war is an effective team builder. Being physically active and developing communication skills by working as a team to develop a strategy is the ultimate goal of this game. It can accommodate a large or small group.
Body Ball Grades 4 to 12	Body Ball is an activity used to promote physical activity. Participants wear Velcro vests and throw balls at each other that stick to the vests. Each kit includes 4 vests and 4 balls.
Omnikin Ball Grades 4 to 12	This gigantic ball comes with set-up instructions as well as an electric pump.
Speed Stackers Grades 4 to 12	Speed Stackers can be used as a fun activity to help students develop hand-eye coordination as well as brain development, sequencing and patterning. Students stack and un-stack 12 specially designed cups in predetermined sequences.
Hacky Sacks Grades 4 to 12	A fun, energetic, flexible moving game that encourages cooperation.
Active Transportation Wheel Grades 7 to 12 and parents	This interactive game for youth and parents educates and increases the awareness around the importance of active transportation in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Participants spin the wheel and answer questions related to physical activity, pedestrian safety, helmet safety, the environment, cycling safety and associated myths. Includes separate question and answers cards for youth and parents. Ideal for events/health fairs. This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.
Injury Prevention
Sun Safety Kit Kindergarten to grade 8	This Sun Safety Kit contains an activity guide (JK to grade 4), UV Frisbee activity, DVD and factsheets. It also includes The Sun Game, a fun, kinesthetic floor game to reinforce UV and Sun Safety messages. The object of the game is to be the first student or team to arrive at the beach, having correctly answered the sun safety questions and then having collected all the items needed to be protected from the sun. Contents of the kit are bilingual.
Sun Safety Mini Kit Kindergarten to grade 4	This Sun Safety Mini Kit contains an activity guide, UV Frisbee activity, DVD and factsheets. Contents of the kit are bilingual.
Active Transportation Bingo Grades 1 to 3	The goal of this game is to help students recognize road safety signs while teaching them road safety. This kit includes laminated road sign illustrations, a riddle activity to help reinforce learning, 30 different Bingo cards as well as Bingo card markers. Contents of this resource are bilingual.
Cool 2 Be Safe Program Grades 2 to 4	This is a curriculum-based program for schools. It is evidence-based and has been shown to reduce children's intentions to do fall-risk behaviors on playgrounds. This interactive program is designed to be flexible so that teachers can implement lessons whenever it suits their classroom schedule. Contact your Public Health Nurse for more information.
Helmet Safety Bin Grades 4 to 6	The Helmet Safety bin is used to educate students on helmet safety and head injury prevention. The bin contains a teaching manual with various lesson plans and activities, a bicycle helmet and mannequin head for a helmet fitting demonstration, photos of different types of helmets, photos of the brain lobes, an egg helmet, a gelatin brain mould, a trivia game and a DVD.
Helmet Safety Presentation Grades 4 to 6	This 50-minute presentation covers multiple areas related to helmet safety and head injury prevention. The presentation includes the anatomy of the brain, the importance of protecting your brain, matching different types of helmets with different activities and ensuring the proper fit of a bicycle helmet. A trivia game completes the presentation to reinforcing learning. This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.
Bicycle Safety Presentation Grades 5 to 6	This 40-minute presentation covers multiple areas related to bicycle safety such as helmet safety, rules of the road, and bicycle riding skills. A trivia game completes the presentation to reinforcing learning. This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.
Multi Helmet Bin Grades 7 to 12	This Multi helmet bin is used to support any activity or event by teaching about head injury prevention among youth. The bin includes a mini egg helmet, a head model and 4 helmets (bicycle, skateboarding, ski and hockey).

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Active Living / Injury Prevention

Our pages / Target audience	Description
Active Living
Ottawa Public Health (for general public)	Healthy Living: How much do I need? Helmet Safety Start Cycling Walk More Where to be Active
Parenting in Ottawa (for parents)	Active Transportation
The LINK Ottawa (for youth and young adults)	Tips for youth to add more physical activity into their lives Reward Apps
Injury Prevention
Ottawa Public Health (for general public)	Helmet Safety Sun Safety and Tanning Water Safety Playground Safety
Parenting in Ottawa (for parents)	Anaphylaxis Drug and Medication Safety Helmet Safety Walking and Cycling Safety Sun Safety Keeping children safe during hot weather Mosquito and Tick Bites Playground Safety Water Safety
The LINK Ottawa (for youth and young adults)	Distracted driving Staying safe while active Sun safety Water safety

Online resources from other organizations - Active Living / Injury Prevention

Organization	Description
Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines	Latest updates and resources for the Canadian Physical Activity and 24-hour Movement guidelines.
Canadian Intramural Recreation Association (CIRA) - Ontario	Physical activity game demo videos.
Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario Healthy Kids	Fun and engaging Hands Up videos can help children understand the importance of physical and health literacy. Includes lesson plans for K-8.
Ophea	Daily Physical Activity – Lesson plans, supplements and activities.
Participaction	Build your best day program. Interactive activities for students. Fact sheets, activity posters, games and more.
Physical & Health Education Canada	Programs to ensure that children are receiving the very best physical activity and physical and health education programming designed to be inclusive, fun and support the development of the whole child.
PlaySport	Online activity-based resource to help participants build physical literacy, health literacy and the skills for healthy active living. Includes downloadable activity cards (animations/illustrations), links to the Ontario H&PE Curriculum).
Active Transportation
EnviroCentre – School Active Transportation	School Active Transportation Program.
Ontario Active School Travel	Information and tips for increase active school travel. Includes: School Travel Planning toolkit.
Ottawa Safety Council	Information on the Walking School Bus Program.
Ottawa Student Transportation Authority	Information on the Walking School Bus Program.
Concussions
Ministry of Education of Ontario - Concussions	Information for parents, educators, students and coaches on concussion prevention, identification and management.
Ministry of Education of Ontario - PPM 158	Memorandum to provide direction to school boards on the development and implementation of their concussion policy.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Hit. Stop. Sit. / Rowan's Law	Guide on ways to prevent, identify and manage concussions.
Ophea - Rowan’s Law Day Toolkit	Toolkit developed to help schools and classrooms recognize Rowan’s Law Day and encourage students to speak up about concussions.
Ophea - Concussions	Concussion protocol and implementation tools.
Parachute Canada - Concussions	Concussion guide for teachers.
Parachute Canada - Brain Waves	Informative and fun half-day neuroscience presentation for students in grades 4 to 6. Students learn about parts of the brain and about protecting their brain and spinal cord. This program is coordinated through the University of Ottawa.
Road and Cycling Safety
Ontario Road Safety	Learning tools and teaching aids organized by grade level and topic. For K-12.
Sun Safety
Canadian Cancer Society	SunSense Certification – Acknowledges and celebrates schools that have created a sun safe environment to protect students and staff from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Water Safety
Life Saving Society	Swim to Survive – Training program for students in grade 3.

The above-mentioned websites contain information created, published, maintained or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of the City of Ottawa. Although we have reviewed these sites, no guarantee can be made to their accuracy or availability.

Dental Health

Resources - Dental Health

Resource name and target audience

Resource description

Picture of resource

Dental Health Resource Bin

Kindergarten to grade 4

Contains videos, books, posters, teaching models, as well as the Dental Health Education Module that includes lesson plans, activity sheets, background information and an evaluation section. Note: The Dental Health Education Module can be borrowed separately from the Dental Health Bin.

This user-friendly resource allows you to read the lesson plan, refer to the background section for additional information, photocopy the recommended activity sheets, utilize the models to teach students and assess student understanding. The Module also contains information to send home to parents to help promote dental health at home.

Happy Tooth Costume

Children up to age 10

Adult-sized costumes complete with Velcro cavities, tears and smile – which we can turn down to make a frown. This costume is appropriate for use in the classroom, at a health fair, or at a community event.

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Dental Health

Our pages / Target audience

Description

Ottawa Public Health

(for general public)

School dental screening program
Access to Dental Care
Oral Health Resources
Downloadable Dental Factsheets

Parenting in Ottawa

(for parents)

Brushing and Flossing
Dental program for Children
Dental Screening in Schools
Healthy Snacks and foods to avoid

Online resources from other organizations - Dental Health

Organization	Description
Canadian Dental Association	Children activities and teaching resources to promote the importance of oral health to children in a fun way.
Healthy Smiles Ontario	Free dental care program for children 17 years old and under, if eligible. Designed for lower-income families in need of support.

Growth & Development / Sexual Health

Resources - Growth & Development / Sexual Health

Resource name and target audience	Resource description	Picture of resource
Changing Me Banners Grades 4 to 6	This activity kit includes two banners with corresponding anatomical body parts identifying the physical changes occurring at puberty, as well as a lesson plan addressing the changes at puberty.
Sexuality Kit Grades 7 to 12	This activity kit includes samples of the different methods of contraception and sexually transmitted infection prevention as well as the Condom Game and the Objections to Condom Game. The games are interactive activities and talking points for students. The Condom Game includes the steps for correctly putting on a condom which students need to place in the correct order. The Objections to Condom Game comprises 12 cards with excuses/objections to using a condom and 12 rebuttals for why a condom should be used. Youth need to match up the excuse/objection with the appropriate rebuttal. A list of recommended websites for youths and educators is also included.
Healthy Sexuality Presentation and Support Grades 7 to 12	Your Public Health Nurse can provide healthy sexuality support including the sexuality kit or a presentation to students. A variety of topics and activities are available (grade dependent) with regard to pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted and/or blood born infections (STBBIs) and gender identity and sexual orientation. Contact your Public Health Nurse for more information.
Sexuality Wheel Grades 7 to 12	This display is ideal for a health fair setting as an interactive, educational tool when teaching students about sexual health. Students spin the wheel, land on a category and a Public Health Nurse asks them a question corresponding to the chosen category. There is an option to hide categories on the wheel with a blank pie piece if the category is not appropriate for the setting where the wheel is being used. A Public Health Nurse must accompany this display.

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Growth & Development / Sexual Health

Our pages / Target audience	Description
Ottawa Public Health (for general public)	Information on different types of birth control Sexual Health Clinics and services in Ottawa Sexually Transmitted and/or Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs) Men’s Sexual Health (Guys into guys) Where to find free condoms in Ottawa Test & Go (clinic times for quick routine STBBI testing)
Parenting in Ottawa - Children Parenting in Ottawa - Youth (for parents)	Talking to your child about puberty Talking to your teen about puberty and Sexual Health
The LINK Ottawa (for youth and young adults)	Sexual Health Clinics and Services Sexually Transmitted Infections and/or Blood Born Infections (STBBIs) Birth Control options Pregnancy Healthy Relationships Sexuality, Gender, and Cultural Diversity My body, My health (reproductive systems, puberty, vaginal health, masturbation, body image) Sex it Smart (get free condoms)

Online resources from other organizations - Growth & Development / Sexual Health

Organization	Description
Ophea - Always Changing	Downloadable resources and support teaching adolescent growth and development, personal hygiene and healthy active living. For grades 5-8.
Planned Parenthood Ottawa	Provides education, counselling, information and referrals.
PREVNet	Healthy Dating Relationships Guide.
Public Health Agency of Canada	Information on Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual Health Facts and Information for the public.
Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (Sieccan)	Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education provide guidance to educators and policy makers for the development and evaluation of comprehensive evidence-based sexual health education in Canada. (2019) Also includes: Sexual Health Education for Youth with Physical Disabilities; Sexual Orientation in Schools; Gender Identity in Schools.
Teaching Sexual Health	Teacher portal from Alberta Education. Teacher guide on how to respond to student questions and manage sensitive issues. Includes lesson plans, tools and grade-specific resources. Differing Abilities: Lesson plans for students who may experience challenges in their social and emotional development in comparison to typically developing students. The lesson plans often give options for students who may need more support versus activities where students can work more independently or in small groups.
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) – Sex and U	Information on sexual and reproductive health. Includes LGBTTQ+, healthy relationships and consent. Can order materials (brochures, info cards, guides).

Healthy Eating

Resources - Healthy Eating

Resource name and target audience	Resource description	Picture of resource
Sugar Shocker Kit Kindergarten to grade 12	This display exposes the nutritional and sugar content of popular beverages. Fruit drinks, iced tea, pop drinks, energy drinks, iced coffee, sports drinks, vitamin added water, 100% orange juice, chocolate milk, white milk and water are featured. Packets of sugar illustrate the quantity of sugar in each beverage. An educational guide with key messages is also included.
Healthy Eating Toolkit Grades 1 to 6	This toolkit contains various food models for students to create a healthy breakfast & lunch. *This resource is currently being updated and is currently not available.
Nutrition Mini Kit Grades 2 to 6	This nutrition mini kit is a tool to help teach students the importance of healthy nutrition. The kit consists of these topics: Lunch Snacks Vegetable and fruit Canada’s Food Guide (2019) The kit includes background information for teachers, food pictures, activities and factsheets.
Sip Smart!™ Display and Wheel Grades 3 to 7	This display reinforces the messages children learn in the Sip Smart!™ Ontario classroom educational program by promoting healthy drink choices. Use the wheel and let the students guess how many cubes of sugar there are in a sugar-sweetened beverage. The bright-coloured banner will display what drink choices are best to have every day, sometimes and to avoid.
I ♥ 2 Cook Grades 5 to 8	This bin consists of kitchen equipment such as dishes, utensils and sets of pots and pans. It also comes with a teacher’s manual which includes six lesson plans, recipes, and factsheets for students. Schools need to purchase ingredients with their own budget. This activity can be borrowed to use in your school for a 6 weeks period. Complimentary resources: I Love to Cook and Play Program I Love to Garden Program
Virtual Grocery Tour Grades 6 to 12	This 60-minute PowerPoint presentation prepared by Ottawa Public Health can be sent to teachers to deliver as part of their lessons. This presentation covers multiple areas related to healthy grocery shopping. It includes insight to the grocery store layout, comparing nutrition labels and tips for making healthy choices. This presentation is currently being updated. Contact your Public Health Nurse for more information.*
Get the Real Deal on Your Meal – Nutrition Myths & Facts Game Grades 9 to 12	This resource is a Jeopardy style PowerPoint game for teachers to use as part of a healthy eating lesson. The game categories include “Thirsting for Knowledge; Knowing your ABCs; Let’s Keep the Doctor Away; Pass the Salt Please and How Sweet It Is”. A facilitation guide with explanation and background information is also included as part of this resource. This game is currently being updated. Contact your Public Health Nurse for more information.*

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Healthy Eating

Our pages / Target audience	Description
Ottawa Public Health (for general audience)	Find a Registered Dietitian in Ottawa Finding Fresh Vegetables and Fruits in Ottawa Food Insecurity Food Safety For Professionals Programs and Resources Healthy Eating for Children and Youth
Parenting in Ottawa (for parents)	Healthy Lunches and Snacks Lunch Box Tips Peanut-free lunches What you need to know about food labels Cooking 101 Healthy Snacks for Active Kids Hydration for Active Kids Healthy Snack Recipes Healthy Meal Recipes I love to Cook and Play Program I Love to Garden Program
The LINK Ottawa (for youth and young adults)	Dieting Meal planning Navigating Eating Out Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Energy Drinks

Online resources from other organizations - Healthy Eating

Organization	Description
BrightBites	Resources for teachers and school leaders to improve school nutrition and the eating habits of students Includes: Sip Smart! Ontario – Lesson plans licensed by the Ministry of Education to educate children on sugary drinks and healthy drink choices
Dietitians of Canada	Resources, apps, and videos on various nutrition topics throughout the lifecycle Includes: Cookspiration – App to find recipes for any time of the day or week UnlockFood – Information on nutrition and healthy eating. Formely EatRight Ontario.
Food Allergy Canada	Brochures, posters, and information sheets on common food allergens.
Foodland Ontario	Interactive website on the availability of Ontario produce, nutritional benefits, and recipes. Includes Kids Corner.
Freggie Tales	Children’s program to encourage consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Includes lesson plans and interactive online games for students. For grades 1-6.
Government of Canada - Canada's Food Guide	Released in 2019. This guide is a modern approach to promoting healthy eating, making healthier eating choices easier for all Canadians. Available in multiple languages.
Health Canada	Various nutrition topics throughout the lifecycle: food labels, food allergies and intolerances, food safety, healthy weights, choosing healthy foods, nutrients, and much more. Canada’s Food Guide – Tips and tools to help you eat well
Nutrition Screening	Nutrition screening questionnaires to find out what is going well, where there is room for improvement, and where to find trusted healthy eating information and tools. Nutri-eSTEP for preschoolers - 17 questions for a parent or caregiver for a preschool child (3-5 years).
Policy/Program Memorandum No. 150 (PPM 150)	Nutrition standards for food and beverages sold in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario.
The Healthy Eating Manual	Lesson plans and activities to incorporate healthy eating information into programs.

Hygiene

Resources - Hygiene

Resource name and target audience	Resource description	Picture of resource
Handwashing poster All grades	Printable bilingual poster that illustrates the 6-steps to proper hand washing. Download poster
Glitterbug Kindergarten to grade 8	This unit, and the activities that come with it, encourage proper hand washing. It contains an ultra violet light unit, “germ” lotion, activities, books, and an education module. Contents of the bin are bilingual. Our Glitterbug units have been lent to the school boards for distribution in their schools. Connect with your school board representative to receive it in your school.
Hygiene Kit Grades 4 to 6	The kit contains hygiene information cards, classroom activities, labelled product samples and fact sheets to teach students about personal hygiene.
Smelling Smelly DVD Grades 4 to 6	This 9-minute DVD will show students the importance of personal hygiene.

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Hygiene

Our pages / Target Audience	Description
Ottawa Public Health (for general public)	Cleaning and disinfection checklist Cleaning and disinfection of toys Chain of infection Hand hygiene for infants and young children Hand hygiene resources Environmental cleaning and disinfection in child care centres and schools
Parenting in Ottawa - Children Parenting in Ottawa - Youth (for parents)	Hand Hygiene and children, proper hand washing technique Using Hand Sanitizer Washing a young child’s hands Body, face, hair and nail care
The LINK Ottawa - Vaginal Health The LINK Ottawa - Penis Care (for youth and young adults)	Information and tips on vaginal health and penis care.

Mental Health

Resources - Mental Health

Resource name and target audience

Resource description

Picture of resource

MindMasters 2

JK to grade 4

MindMasters 2 is a mental health promotion resource that helps children to master emotional regulation through relaxation, positive thinking and mindfulness.
It introduces children to these skills in fun and age-appropriate ways. With practice, children can use these skills on their own, in a variety of settings throughout their lifetime.

It includes a guidebook (with instructions, discussion questions and link to the Ontario Elementary curriculum) printable templates and media files (audio tracks, videos, songs).

MindMasters 2 - View/download program files.

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS)

Grades 4 to 6

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is a leadership program that encourages all children to be active at recess. The aim of the program is to:

• Decrease conflict and reduce playground bullying;

• Increase physical activity;

• Offer senior students the opportunity to gain valuable communication, leadership and conflict resolution skills as games leaders.

A Public Health Nurse will support teachers to offer instruction to students with leadership qualities to be Playground Activity Leaders in their schools. The leaders plan and lead fun and safe activities, and mediate conflicts, during recess for younger students in their school. School staff over-see the program and, in some schools, parents help.

Contact your Public Health Nurse for more information.

Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS)

Body Confidence Presentation

Grades 4 to 9

This 60-minute workshop addresses key topics including:

Appearance pressures; where they come from and their impact on body confidence
Media including professional, personal and social media (including how they can be manipulated, why they are manipulated and how they affect body confidence)
Peer pressure and it’s role on body confidence
Strategies for promoting and protecting body confidence

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Stress Busters Display

Grades 5 to 8

An interactive display that addresses ways youth can deal with stress. The display consists of 11 photos and accompanying tips on how youth can deal in a healthy way with the stressors in their lives.

Healthy Transitions

Grade 6

Healthy Transitions is a mental health promotion program for young adolescents, their parents and teachers. The program was developed by the Child and Youth Health Network for Eastern Ontario and facilitated through the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). During the program, students will learn about bouncing back from setbacks, talking to parents, friends and teachers, coping/handling feelings, worries and stress and how and where to get help if needed. The Healthy Transitions program is designed to be used during class time and meets expectations from The Ontario Curriculum. The program includes group activities and discussions about handling everyday struggles and positive ways to express oneself.

Session 1: Thoughts, Feelings, Actions

Session 2: Coping with Feelings and Stress

Session 3: Getting Help When Feeling Overwhelmed

Session 4: Communication

A Public Health Nurse from Ottawa Public Health can support teacher in the delivery of the program.

Image of Healthy Transitions Mental Health program handout

Mental Health GAB

Grades 7 to 12

This game is based on the game MAD GAB. The object of the game is to get the most points while learning resiliency strategies, reducing mental health stigma and promoting health and well being. The puzzles contain small words that, when heard together, make a different word or phrase. For example, "Yore Luke Ink Hood" when pronounced quickly sounds like "You're Looking Good." Each puzzle comes with a clue that can be read by the facilitator if needed and key messages to reinforce learning.

Contact your Public Health Nurse for more information.

Image of Mental Health Mad Gab PowerPoint slide Photo of Game Show podium lights

haveTHATtalk Youth Activity Guide

Grades 9 to 12

The haveTHATtalk videos and HaveTHATtalk Youth Activity Guide use short whiteboard video clips and interactive activities to assist youth to:

Be more comfortable talking about mental health
Learn ways to improve mental health
Know where to get help and resources for mental health

Videos and activities can be completed in sequence, individually or as appropriate for the needs of the group. To access this resource, go to haveTHATTalk.ca

Photo of Have THAT talk youth activity guide

Mental Health Block Game

Grades 9 to 12

An interactive block game used to engage students about mental health.

Questions are asked with the goal of starting a dialogue about reducing stigma, building resiliency, talking about mental health and building social connections. Students then move one of the blocks while attempting to keep the structure balanced.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Mental Health

Our pages / Target Audience	Description
Ottawa Public Health (for general public)	Bullying Have THAT talk Mental Health and Substance Use Resource List Responding to Stressful Events Suicide Prevention Mental Health Resources in the Community
Parenting in Ottawa - Children Parenting in Ottawa - Youth Parenting in Ottawa - Pathway to School (School Readiness) (for parents)	Anxiety and Stress in Children Attachment Body Image and Self Esteem Bullying Brain Development in Children Behaviour and Temperament in Children Self-Regulation in Children Resiliency in Children Sense of Agency Bullying Body Image and Self-esteem in Youth Responding to Stressful Events Gambling
The LINK Ottawa (for youth and young adults)	How to Deal with Stress Body Confidence Bullying Building Social Connections How to Ask for Help Reducing Stigma Gambling

Online resources from other organizations - Mental Health

Organization	Description
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS)	Interactive results of population survey of Ontario students in grades 7-12. Serves to identify epidemiological trends in student drug use, mental health, physical health, gambling, bullying and other risk behaviors, as well as identifying risk and protective factors.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Talking about Mental Illness	Helps to increase awareness about mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it. Includes the Teacher’s Resource Guide.
Media Smarts	Resources and lesson plans on body image. For K-12.
Ophea	This site includes everything anyone who teaches kids needs to enable children and youth to lead healthy active lives. Level up: Resource that supports educators and program leaders in promoting positive mental health and overall well-being with children and youth ages 6-18.
Ottawa Bullying Prevention Coalition	A variety of resources on bullying. Not all resources are available in French.
Physical & Health Education Canada - Teach Resiliency	Simple-to-use strategies and tools to assess resilience needs and provide resources to promote and enhance teacher and student mental health.
School Mental Health Ontario	Resource designed to support elementary educators (K-12) in this role by offering a repository of high-quality everyday mental health practices that can be incorporated into classroom routines.
Youth Net	Offers presentations on mental health and engage in healthy activities to reduce stigma, promote positive coping strategies, and encourage reaching out for help. For grades 7-12.

Screen Time / Internet Safety

Resources - Screen time / Internet Safety

Resource name and target audience

Resource description

Picture of resource

Screen Time Plinko Game

Grades 4 to 6

Grades 7 to 12

Coming in 2020.

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Screen time / Internet Safety

Our pages / Target audience

Description

Parenting in Ottawa

(for parents)

Includes information on recommended daily screen time use.

The LINK Ottawa

(for youth and young adults)

Includes information on the importance of building social connections and limiting screen time.

Online resources from other organizations - Screen time / Internet Safety

Organization	Description
Media Smarts	Includes lessons, resources, tip sheets, PD and classroom tutorials on online safety. Includes sexting. For grades 4-8.
Ophea - Connect[ED]	Online resource addressing internet safety for students. For grades 4-6.
Ophea - Cybercops	Teaches students about the risks and safety issues surrounding the Internet and helps them recognize and respond to these situations. For grades 7-8.
Ottawa Police Service	Tips for safe internet use. Includes tips on online interactions and online bullying.

Substances

Resources - Substances

Resource name and target audience

Resource description

Picture of resource

Poisons in Tobacco Kit

Grades 3 to 6

This interactive kit shows some of the dangerous chemicals found in household items that are also present in cigarettes. The anatomy of the lungs as well as the health effects of inhaling or ingesting these chemicals are discussed. A teacher facilitation guide, a student quiz and a storybook are also included.

Book now

Photo of products found in cigarettes, present in the Poison in Tobacco kit

Pig's Lungs Presentation

Grade 4

The inflatable pig’s lungs provide an excellent opportunity to teach students about the deadly effects of smoking. The display includes one healthy lung, a dried cross-section of a lung, a jar of “tar” and one diseased lung, which simulates the effects of smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. Vaping is also discussed in this presentation.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Photo of a public health nurse demonstrating the effects of tobacco on pig's lungs

Alcohol Presentation

Grade 5

This is a 50-minute interactive presentation. This presentation covers multiple areas related to alcohol and its use including how it affects the body and its potential negative effects.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Substance Misuse Prevention Games kit

Grades 5 to 8

A kit of interactive games related to alcohol and cannabis. Instructions as well as all the materials needed to play the games are included.

Book now

Photo of items found in the substance games kit (gloves, glasses, binders, flyswaters)

Cannabis Presentation

Grade 6

This is a 50-minute interactive presentation. This presentation covers multiple areas related to marijuana and its use including how it affects the body and its potential negative effects.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Photo of slide in Cannabis Presentation, showing a cannabis leaf Photo of presentation slide with question on cannabis

Substance Presentation

Grades 7 to 8

This is a 60-minute interactive presentation. This presentation covers multiple areas related to legal and illegal substances including the difference between prescription and illicit drugs. Substances covered in this presentation include examples of prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and illicit drugs with an emphasis on tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. Refusal skills are also discussed.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Photo of Substance presentation PowerPoint slide

Substance Block Game

Grades 7 to 12

An interactive block game used to engage students about cannabis and vaping.

Questions are asked with the goal of starting a dialogue about the health effects, legalities, and impacts of cannabis and vaping use. Students then move one of the blocks while attempting to keep the structure balanced.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Substance Wheel

Grades 7 to 12

This interactive display is ideal for a health fair or as an educational tool for youth regarding substance use. Students spin the wheel, land on a category and a Public Health Nurse asks them a question corresponding to the chosen category. Grade dependent, categories include alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, opioids, vaping as well as refusal skills, ways to party smart and prescription versus non-prescription drugs. Includes separate sets of bilingual questions and answers for grades 7 and 8 and for grades 9 to 12.

A Public Health Nurse must accompany this display.

Photo of wheel with trivia questions on susbstance use

Vaping Myths Educator Guide

Grades 7 to 12

This guide can be used to engage youth in meaningful discussion about the harmful effects of vaping. Topics include health effects, social influences and other important facts.

Download now

Substance Presentation

Grades 9 to 12

This is a 65-minute interactive presentation. This presentation covers multiple areas related to legal and illegal substances. Substances covered in this presentation include alcohol, vaping, cannabis, ecstasy, and opioids including fentanyl.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Opioid Misuse Prevention Presentation

Grades 9 to 12

This 30-minute presentation covers multiple areas related to opioids including fentanyl. The effects on the body including overdose signs & symptoms and what to do in case of an opioid overdose such as naloxone information and access are also presented.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Plasma Car Activity

Grades 9 to 12

This activity focuses on driving safety as it relates to impaired and distracted driving. It simulates driving while safely introducing a feeling of impairment (visual impairment goggles) or distraction (text messaging). Please see instructions for weight restrictions.

A Public Health Nurse must accompany this display.

Prom Safety Presentation

Grades 10 to 12

This 20-minute presentation is ideal for any student who might be attending prom activities. The PowerPoint presentation highlights OPH’s prom campaign as well as important “party safe” messaging such as looking out for each other while at prom. Consultation was done with Safe School principals from all school boards to develop this year’s campaign. Substances that are included in the health curriculum are covered during this presentation, including signs and symptoms of intoxication and overdose, and when and where to get help if needed.

The presentation can be delivered by a Public Health Nurse or in collaboration with teachers, SRO’s and/or students through a peer-to-peer approach.

This activity must be staffed by a Public Health Nurse.

Online resources from Ottawa Public Health - Substances

Our pages / Target audience	Description
Ottawa Public Health - Drugs (for parents)	Cannabis Discarded Needles in our Community Fentanyl and Carfentanil Find Your Way Community Resource Guide Harm Reduction Services in Ottawa Local Resources Naloxone Preventing and Responding to an Overdose Secure your Meds
Ottawa Public Health - Alcohol (for parents)	Alcohol and Your Health Use Responsibly Standard Drink Size Information for Youth and Young Adults Information for Parents
Ottawa Public Health - Tobacco, vaping and hookah (for parents)	Services in Ottawa to Help People Quit Smoking Second-hand smoke, smoke-free spaces and the law Vaping and Hookah Youth and Young Adults
Ottawa Public Health - Stop Overdose Ottawa (for parents)	Preventing and Responding to Overdoses Fentanyl and Carfentanil Naloxone Party Safe #drugcheking results from Sandy Hill Community Centre Local Resources
Parenting in Ottawa (for parents)	Alcohol Cannabis Tobacco Vaping Opioids
The LINK Ottawa (for youth and young adults)	Alcohol Drugs Tobacco Cannabis Vaping Party Safe

Online resources from other organizations - Substances

Organization	Description
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction	Information and publications to address issues related to substance use and addiction that affect the health and safety of Canadians.
Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS)	Information on programs & services, mental illness & addiction Interactive results of population survey of Ontario students in grades 7-12. Serves to identify epidemiological trends in student drug use, mental health, physical health, gambling, bullying and other risk behaviors, as well as identifying risk and protective factors.
Health Canada	Resources to educate Canadians, particularly youth, about the risks of drug and substance. Also includes information on enforcement, treatment and harm reduction. Consider the Consequences: Youth vaping prevention materials
Media Smarts	Lesson plans, tip sheets and other resources on various topics in the media (such as alcohol and tobacco).
Ophea	Information on cannabis to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions to support their health and well-being. For grades 1-12.
The Lung Association	Information to promote lung health and prevent and manage lung disease.
University of Victoria – Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research iMinds	Tools to encourage students to both express and think crucially about their current drug- and gambling related beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. For grades 4-12.

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