A Lesson Plan from Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program

Purpose: To provide an opportunity to ask questions about HIV and AIDS

Materials:  Question Box; index cards; Leader's Resource, “HIV Infection and AIDS Information,” (pdf); pens/pencils

Time: 40-50 minutes

Planning Notes

• Many teens have heard a great deal about AIDS but still have questions about who has it, who can get it, what puts them at risk and so on. This activity opens discussion about issues teens may be uncomfortable discussing openly, such as very specific sexual and/or drug using behaviors that may transmit the virus, what life is like for someone who is seropositive or has been diagnosed with AIDS or myths about AIDS being a white man's plot or God's retribution and so on.
• If there are any facts about AIDS your group still does not understand, or if you have overheard their discussions on HIV/AIDS topics, write a question about these and put it in the Question Box.
• As you and your group exchange information to answer questions from the Question Box, teens may provide misinformation. Be sure to correct it, but do so gently. For example, say something like “I heard that, too, but now I know that the correct answer is...” or “Lots of people believe that but the information we have today tells us....”

Procedure:

1. Explain that even after previous HIV/AIDS discussions, they still may have questions and that using the Question Box is a way to get answers to some of the tougher ones. If necessary, remind them that the Question Box is for anonymous questions—no one will know who puts a specific question in.
2. Distribute index cards and ask teens to write down at least one question about HIV/AIDS. After a few minutes, pass the question box around and have everyone put their cards in.
3. Draw cards at random and use one of the following techniques:
• •    Answer some questions yourself.
• •    Have volunteers answer questions. Correct any misinformation in a tactful way.
• •    Have teens research questions, ask experts and/or call the National AIDS Hotline (1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)), which is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week
4. Continue answering questions in the next session, if necessary.
5. Conclude the activity using the Discussion Points.
   

Discussion Points:

1. Why is it sometimes difficult to ask questions about HIV and AIDS? (Answer: The topic includes two issues people have the most difficulty with: sex and death.)
2. Where else can you go in our community to get information about HIV infection and AIDS?
3. Most adults do not have a program to go to for information about HIV and AIDS. Can you think of one adult that you should share some of this information with? How can you bring up the subject? What is the most important thing you want to tell them?