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Lesson Plan
Facts about Emergency Contraception—True or False
Purpose: To educate youth about the existence, safety, and effectiveness
of emergency contraception
and help them increase awareness of and access to EC in
their community
Materials: Newsprint;
markers; tape; two signs—one that says "Myth" and another
that says "Fact"; Leader's resource; for
each student, a copy of the EC fact sheet [html]
[pdf]
and/or the EC teen pamphlet;
and (optional) survey handout for each student
Time: 50
minutes
Planning Notes: Read
the fact sheet and the leader's resource to prepare to lead this
session. Tape the "Myth" and "Fact" signs
at opposite ends of the room.
Procedure:
- Ask
the group if anyone knows of a method to prevent pregnancy
after a couple has had unprotected sexual intercourse, if a
contraceptive method fails, or if a young woman has been raped.
- Explain
that many people, even adult women and some health care providers
do not know about emergency contraception, or harbor some misperceptions
about it. Ask the group to stand. You are going to read a series
of statements about emergency contraception. If they believe
the statement is true, ask them to move to stand under the
sign that says 'Fact.' If they believe the statement is false,
ask them to stand under the sign that says 'Myth'. Check to
see if there are any questions.
- Read
the statements on the Leader's Resource. Ask the group standing
under the incorrect sign first to explain why they chose
that answer. Then ask the group standing under the correct
answer to explain why they chose their answer. Be sure to
gently dispel any continuing myths and stress that the goal
of the activity is to become more educated about the topic,
not to embarrass anyone.
- After
the activity, ask everyone to take a seat again. Ask what
they learned about ECs that surprised them. Do they know
anyone in their family, or school, or community that knows
about ECs or where to get them?
- Brainstorm
the benefits of ECs and also some of the concerns about them.
See if the group can reach consensus that ECs could be an
important resource for all young people to know about.
- Divide
the group into smaller groups of 5 or 6. Give each group
a sheet of newsprint and a marker and ask them to come up
with ways to raise awareness about ECs among teens and ways
to increase access to ECs.
- After
all groups have reported their suggestions, you may want
to ask if anyone is interested in implementing any of the
ideas? If so, what would the necessary steps be to make it
happen in their school, clinic, or community? Small Action
Teams can be formed, and the groups can report on progress
they make toward their goal at a future meeting.
- Distribute
the teen pamphlet.
Discussion Points:
- What
did you learn about emergency contraception that surprised
you?
- Do
you think it is important for all teens to have accurate information
about emergency contraception? Why or why not?
- Do
you think, considering what you have learned, that emergency
contraceptive pills should be available as over-the-counter
medications for people of all ages? Why or why not?
Optional Activities: Take
Action! Demand Your Right to Emergency Contraception!
- Ask
teens to write a column for the school newspaper.
- Ask
teens to find out if the school health center provides emergency
contraception. If not, start a petition or organize a demonstration
to demand it or make a presentation to your class or student
government meeting.
- Work
to assess the availability of emergency contraception at local
drug stores. Organize a group of teens to interview local pharmacists
about their knowledge and attitudes. Use the survey questions
on the handout for the interviews.
Click here for the Leader's
Resource.
Click here for the Handout.
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